Evening star., 1923-08-11

loved to be, Is the scene of this week 3
study. There our Lord, who was
without a home from the time He left
the carpenters shop in Nazareth un-
til the completion Of His ministry.
found the shelter and security or
homo when He faced the darkest
hours of His earthly career. 1t was
situated about two miles from Jeru-
salem. just over the brow of the
Mount of olives. It's location made Ii
an ideal suburban home, where the
Master could find rest and peace in
the time of His greatest need. 1t was
free from the disputes and dangers
of the temple and Jerusalem.
We have the record of four differ
ent visits. which he made to Beth
any and of two banquets given to
Him. It is quite probable that He Wis
tied Bethany at other times than
those mentioned. when He went, as
we are informed. as the gracious
teacher. the sympathizing friend, as
the suffering Savior and as the
ascending Lord. Between the first
two mentioned visits He was given
q banquet as testimonial of love
and loyalty. Between the last two
mentioned visits We have the record
OF another one given at which there
appeared to be n spirit of discord be-
tween Martha who appears to have
been the head of the Bethany home,
and Mary, her sister. whom Martha
thought was careless concerning her
domestic responsibilities. It is this
interview that the poise of Christ ap-
pears to stand out prominent amidst
the family discord caused by the diff
Terence in temperament of the two
sisters
N-biIa ,ot mentioned a., o,,r l,scop
We would fail to understand the re-
lationship of Jesus to the Bethany
home II we did not speak of Lazarus.
who was the brother of Martha and
Mary. He ''moves through the latter
part of the Masters life with an al
most unnatural mystery and majesty.
He is silent and significant in the
STORY. The events connected with
ChriStS exercising His power over
the spirit of Lazarus, who had been
dead and buried for four days so that
il returned and vivified the body of
Lazarus. created an intense public in
terest in Jesus. 1t crystallized the
opposition of Christ and united His
enemies in a determined effort to Sc
cure the Masters death.
Martha welcomed the Lord and His
disciples TO enjoy the home in Beth
any. She had planned for the pos
sible arrival at Passover but the large
number of followers probably We're
more numerous than she had figured
would come with their friend, whom
they had loved before He responded
10 their call that had sent to Him that
lazarus was seriously i'll. Now that
He had proven that His friendship
was genuine by returning TO Beth
any and restoring Lazarus. Martha
naturally desired to give Jesus a ban
Quet that would be a fitting expression
of her gratitude. She knew His favorite
dishes and in her practical and clear
headed manner commenced immedi-
H. l.
proper preparations for the care of
her guests.
She was absorbed in her culinary
task. She wished to entertain the
Lord in manner that would be wor-
thy of Him. She wished to show her
love and loyalty to Him. An elabor
ate meal could not be prepared with
the facilities that she had at her dis
posal without heat and worry, espe-
ciaIly as she naturally was trying to
think how she would seat them at the
table so as to conform to their posi-
tions. She was disturbed in her
thought as to the number Of courses
that she wished to serve and show she
could get the help to do 1t, as 1t ought
TO be done. She had to work out her
problems just a $ she did her sorrow.
She could not figure it out from the
beginning. She was therefore more
OF less fuSSy. She was apt to lose
her temper, forgetting that others had
their own tasks. and she looked at all
things from her standpoint. She was
apt to become under stress and eX
element a faultfinder.
Marthas activities and industry
made that Bethany home. She saw to
It that Jesus had the rest, peace and
relaxation that He needed. She
sought to minister to His comfort in
every way possible. Back Of every
step and act was a great heart for
the Master that longed for Him to
enjoy the relief and peace of their
home, free from all worries and care,
caused by His intense public ministry.
Her efforts did much to make Beth
any a place where Jesus loved to be.
He knew that there was no better
retreat open for Him around Jeru-
salem, where He was certain to be the
recipient of the love and ministering
care of the Bethany home, where He
loved to be whenever it was possible
for Him to find an opportunity to en-
Joy their fellowship.
While Martha was busily engaged in
the culinary preparations that would
minister to the inner man Mary de-
tected another need of service. She
possessed an unusual spiritual tenn
permanent and mental powers. She was
a mystic and to a remarkable degree
understood her Lord. She was very
sympathetic and apparently intuitive-
ly read the mind Of the Master.
' that He knew that in place of being
made king by the force Of popular
opinion that Jesus knew that the
multitude and disciples were wrong.
She understood the meaning of His
messages that pointed out the rapid
approach of the cross. She saw that
the very Joy that the Lord had
brought TO them when He demon
strated His mastery over all souls,
living or dead. by restoring their
brother Lazarus to them from the
grave, had served to hasten His death.
She understood it. but none OF the
others appears to have realized 1t.
She detected his hatred of death
when she fell at his feet and ex-
when Lazarus died. as well as her
faith in Christ's power. Death had
never claimed a victim in the pres
ence of Jesus. When she lamented
the absence of the Master when Laz-
arus passed away Aary had looked
upon the face of her weeping Lord
and seen His Indignation. when He
troubled" by deaths presence among
men. He knew that it was in the
world through the sin of men and
that 1t ought not to have been and
would not have been present with
men il they had not disobeyed God
and failed to come up to His mark.
Mary saw that Jesus needed SYM
,pathy. It was this that prompted her
to anoint the feet Of Christ with
'pound of ointment OF pure nard, very
precious" and wipe His feet with
her hair" until the house was filled
with the odor. Martha never COM
planned or criticized her sister Mary
for her generosity. She rejoiced in
the fact that Mary had given a.dem-
onstration of the devotion and love
which they held for the Master. She
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