Evening star., 1922-12-16

Are you q friend or foe Of Jesus
Christi Every person must line up
either with the Lord or against Him.
There 10 no neutral position possible
Tho Master In the golden text has
taught Us that obedience Is the proof OF
ones friendship with Him. II We do
tho things which He commanded US 70
do we know ti,at He will acknowledge
US M His frierds. II we fall IN doing
es He commanded We win BE- disre-
Earding the authority Of Jesus and
prove BY our inactivity that we are His
foes.
Many biographer Of a great man
mas been surprised to learn OF the num-
ssssed and Of the cioseness OF their in
timAey. No one can estimate the tre-
mepdous influence that some Of these
Obscure friends have exercised upon the
lives Of their eminent friends whose
fellowship they prtsed. They never
coincidence that they had received from
their friend. NO friendship has such
charm as that into which the word
cannot tntrude." when those friend
ships have been formed by their intel
spiritual harmony and common sacri-
nces for some great cause.
Bethany was ono place whore Jesus
loved TO be and aE the shadows Of the
cross grew darker. He found a home
One needs to use their imagina ton If
they are TO realize how much the Mas
ter depended upon the privileges, peace
and protection which the home in Beth
any supplied to Hin, in the dark hours
of His trials and tho closing days Of
EI TtaA .rd
rest that He needed In the hospitabie
home Of Bethany. whose members could
never forget how He had faced death in
response to their call. that ''iie. whom
thou lowest. is sick" The apostles pro-
returned to Bethany and raised Lazarus
from the dead. after he had been in the
grave four days. The Master risked His
lie ~ an evidence Of His friendship
for the family. whose members had
demonstrated their friendship for Him.
when they entertained the Lord in their
home, when they knew that the power
ful ecclesiastical, social and political
forces had combined their resources
again Jesus.
We have the record of only three
the last night in the flesh He spent in
the garden and the two following nights
In the tomb. Probably the Master spent
most ct the nights. when He was in
Ser0saien, as a guest in the home
where he loved to be. for Bethany was
q suburb Of the nations capital and
within easy. .valking distance OF it.
Christ found in that home, which was
the only one that was His during the
time Of His public ministry, when He
had no place whore to lay His head"
the helpfuiness that all derive from true
nome hfe. There is no greater influence
IN tho lives Of men than that Of the
home. In those dark and trying hours
Jesus found the inspiration in the Beth
any home that all have received In
their dimcult hours from their loved
ones.
Both Of the sisters in that household
pears to be the head Of the house. Her
generovs heart was filled with joy
whenever Jesus honored then, with His
presence: She welcomed Him, although
His coming meant no rest for her, be-
cause she loved to serve the Lord. II
Vas q pleasure to provide a feast in
His honor and invite her friends to
meet the Master. There is the evidence
u irritation In the manner in which she
criticiSed Mary: Possibly the number
coming to the feast had overtaxsd her !
about the supper. Her feelings got the
better OF her judgment. when she critJ- f.
sized her sister and addressed a cues.
lion TO Jesus that implied a censt,re Of !,
me Christ. She recognized His author
~. but assumed too much for herseH !
when she demanded that He bid Mary
10 help her.
The gentle rebuke Of the Master wa.
lpoxen m tones OF affection that was
IRE ANXIOUS and worried about many