Evening star., 1918-06-01
JESUS WARNS AND CON-
FORTS HIS FRIENDS"
Mark, 13.1-14.9.
Golden Textile that endur-
eth to the end. the same shall
be saved."-Mark. 1913.

eth to the end. the same shall
/ be saved."-Mark, 1913.
BY REV. HUGH T. STEVENSON.
When Jesus had finished the most
terrific >denunciation Of human sin
that can be found In all history by
prophesying the doom of His enemies
He turned His face toward Bethany.
where He loved to be during the last
hours Of His ministry. His great low
ing heart was wellnight breaking
with sorrow As He left the temple for
the last time. He had broken forever
with the leaders. who would leave no
stone unturned until thev had placed
Jesus upon the cross. The Lori turn
ed His thought upon His disciples and
tried to prepare them to stard the
| strain of the coming days. This
caused Him to stop on the Mount OF
Olives during His journey toward
Bethany to unroll for them the pano-
rama Of coming events. The Master
sought by His sermon concerning the
coming dark periods to inspire them
with the spirit Of watchf ulness. SO
| that even in the most unendurabie
situations they would "see 1t through"
\ 4hSI0 - UOIu6ShIuB Iuo SNCuto VI
the present hour (which demands OF
men, that they look below the dis
tresSing phenomena of the world con-
fiict and use the unseen but real
values that are issuing already. from
the war to enrich and ennobls hui
manity. While 1t Is impossible for
men to visualize the events Of the
front, yet multitudes who have been
indifferent to God have learned the
spiritual meaning of life that jesus
tried to reveal to men, and as result
they have come to know through their
faith the hi dGea powt- of tho unseen
and ever present Gcd. He has en-
abled France to say OF the Hun" at
Verdun "They shall not pass" French
generals. in explaining their victories
at the Marne have pointed to God
1t IL only the recognition Of His un-
seen presence and power that will
enable men to stand the sertain' and
stress during the fiery trials that test
mems faith. and to triumph over the
city. which have nlied the world with
their horrors. It was to encourage His
followers to endure unto the end that
Jesus unveiled the darkness OF the
events. which they would face In the
passing away of the former dispense
tion, sounded his note Of warning and
called them to watch the signs Of HIS
return again, which 10 the blessed
hope Of all nations and people in this
hour.
While the enemies were plotting
for the purpose Of fascinating the
Christ, at a time and in way that
would not bring down upon them the
opposition of the people. Jesus was
enjoying the blessings Of the Bethany
home. where His friends were entsr-
tanning His disciples and their Lord:
The tie of affection which had united
Jesus to that home had been strength
ened by His miraculous raising OF
Lazarus from the grave. There also
was the home Of Simon, the lepsr,
disease by the Masters healing power.
1t was therefore not surprising that
Jesus was q welcome guest In the de-
lightful suburban home Of Lazarus.
Mary and Martha. Their love for
courage Him. One at least had
Srasped the significance Of the hour.
because Mary evidently. through her
| intuition and spiritual understanding
! Of the Lords plans knew the end
was drawing rapidly near and gladly
ministered unto Him.
During the feast which was given
In the Masters honor Mary showed
that she understood that Jesus was
about to be crucined by the immeas.
her love for the Lord. The approach.
ing dark hour demanded aome ex-
preston Of sympathetic spiritual ap-
probation OF the Lords trials. Words
IN such an hour are almost ,ussiess' s.
The hour called for something extra
ordinary. Mary followed the impulse
Of her soul when she poured pre-
cious mask Of perfume upon the head
and feet Of her Lord: Her beautiful
mortal Of woman's work in the world.
because In the depths Of her love for
the Christ she completely lost the
thought of self In the unconscious dis
regard Of the cost Of the lavish honor
John tells US that this feast was
| given on the previous Saturday even.
ing. and that II was Judas Iscariot
who Influenced the disciples by his
| criticism Of the beautiful expression
ing that It might have been sold for
at least afty dollars and given to the
poor. His remonstrance had the
specious appearance Of charity and
economy. He succeeded in stirring up
murmured against her action. The
arbitrator by his criticisn shows
that he was blind to the Significance
| OF . life OF generosity and sacrifice,
like many modern persons who fail
missions. The real trouble with
Judas was that he wanted Mary's love
expressed in cash, 20 that he could
have Incorporated the same. He
was not 80 much interested In the
poor a. he was in the desire to obtain
for money had made the treasurer of
the apostolic funds . thief.
In face Of the cruel criticism and
discipies' dissent. that cut the sensi-
could not be silent. He immedi.teiy
condemned the attitude of Judaa and