Chapter XLIII: Preface (3)

(Before Jesus began his preaching, a man named John had begun to tell the people that God would soon send them a great prophet. He himself seemed to the people to be like one of the old prophets. His dress and his way of living were simple, and he spoke as though God were speaking through him. How he preached, and how he baptized Jesus, telling his disciples that this was the man of whose coming he had been speaking, has all been told in a previous chapter. After the baptism John watched the career of Jesus with great interest. Before long John was seized and cast into prison. He became despondent, and began to doubt if Jesus was indeed the one of whom he was sent to tell. He sent messengers to Jesus, and Jesus sent back a comforting and reassuring message to the prisoner. Jesus loved John and spoke in the highest terms of his work and character. This chapter tells of the relations between the two men after Jesus' baptism, and how John met at last a shameful death.)

_John Acknowledges the Leadership of Jesus_.

After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized. And John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized. For John was not yet cast into prison.

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There arose therefore a questioning on the part of John's disciples with a Jew about purifying. And they came unto John, and said to him, "Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou hast borne witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him."

John answered and said, "A man can receive nothing, except it have been given him from heaven. Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, 'I am not the Christ, but, that I am sent before him.' He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, who standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease."

_Imprisoned, John Begins to Lose Faith_.

For a time he continued to preach good tidings unto the people; but Herod, being reproved by him for Herodias his brother's wife, and for all the evil things which Herod had done, added yet this above all, that he shut up John in prison.

And the disciples of John told him in prison of the works of Jesus. And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to the Lord, saying, "Art thou he that cometh, or look we for another?"

And when the men were come unto him, they said, "John the Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, 'Art thou he that cometh, or look we for another?'"

In that hour, he cured many of diseases and plagues and evil spirits; and on many that were blind he bestowed sight.

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CHRIST AND JOHN THE BAPTIST.
By Guido Reni (1575-1642)
[End illustration]

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And he answered and said unto them, "Go, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good tidings preached to them. And blessed is he, whosoever shall find no occasion of stumbling in me."

_Jesus Speaks of the Greatness of John_.

And when the messengers of John were departed, he began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, "What went ye out into the wilderness to behold? a reed shaken with the wind? But what went ye out to see? a man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, those who are gorgeously appareled, and live luxuriously, are in kings' houses. But what went ye out to see? a prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet. This is he of whom it is written,--

'Behold, I send my messenger before thy face,
Who shall prepare thy way before thee.'

"I say unto you, Among those who are born of women there is none greater than John: yet he that is but little in the kingdom of God is greater than he."

"Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation, and to what are they like? They are like unto children who sit in the marketplace, and call one to another; who say, 'We piped unto you, and ye did not dance; we wailed, and ye did not weep.' For John the Baptist is come eating no bread nor drinking wine; and ye say, 'He hath a demon.' The Son of man is come eating and {154} drinking; and ye say, 'Behold, a gluttonous man, and a wine-bibber, a friend of publicans and sinners!' And wisdom is justified of all her children."

_The Cruel Murder of John_.

When a convenient day was come, Herod on his birthday made a supper to his lords, and the high captains, and the chief men of Galilee; and when the daughter of Herodias herself came in and danced, she pleased Herod and those who sat at meat with him; and the king said unto the maiden, "Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee."

And he swore unto her, "Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom."

And she went out, and said unto her mother, "What shall I ask?"

And she said, "The head of John the Baptist."

And she came in straightway with haste unto the king, and asked, saying, "I wish that thou forthwith give me in a platter the head of John the Baptist."

And the king was exceeding sorry; but for the sake of his promises, and of those who sat and feasted with him, he would not reject her. And straightway the king sent forth a soldier of his guard, and commanded to bring the head of John: and he went and beheaded him in the prison, and brought his head in a platter, and gave it to the maiden; and the maiden gave it to her mother. And when his disciples heard thereof, they came and took up his corpse, and laid it in a tomb.

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O LOVE DIVINE

O Love Divine, that stooped to share
Our sharpest pang, our bitterest tear,
On Thee we cast each earth-born care:
We smile at pain while Thou art near.

Though long the weary way we tread,
And sorrow crown each lingering year;
No path we shun, no darkness dread,
Our hearts still whispering, Thou art near!

When drooping pleasure turns to grief,
And trembling faith is changed to fear;
The murmuring wind, the quivering leaf,
Shall softly tell us, Thou art near!

On Thee we fling our burdening woe,
O Love Divine, for ever dear;
Content to suffer, while we know,
Living and dying, Thou art near!
--_Oliver Wendell Holmes_.

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O MASTER, LET ME WALK WITH THEE

O Master, let me walk with Thee
In lowly paths of service free;
Tell me Thy secret; help me bear
The strain of toil, the fret of care.

Help me the slow of heart to move
By some clear winning word of love;
Teach me the wayward feet to stay,
And guide them in the homeward way.

Teach me Thy patience! still with Thee
In closer, dearer company,
In work that keeps faith sweet and strong,
In trust that triumphs over wrong;

In hope that sends a shining ray
Far down the future's broadening way;
In peace that only Thou canst give,
With Thee, O Master, let me live!
--_Washington Gladden_.
(Used by the kind permission of the author.)

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THE ELIXIR

Teach me, my God and King,
In all things Thee to see,
And what I do in anything
To do it as for Thee.

Not rudely, as a beast,
To runne into an action,
But still to make Thee prepossest
And give it His perfection.

A man that looks on glasse,
On it may stay his eye,
Or if he pleaseth, through it passe,
And then the leav'n espie.

All may of Thee partake,
Nothing can be so mean
Which, with his tincture (for Thy sake),
Will not grow bright and clean.

A servant with this clause
Makes drudgery divine;
Who sweeps a room, as for Thy laws,
Makes that and th' action fine.

This is the famous stone
That turneth all to gold,
For that which God doth touch and own
Cannot for lesse be told.
--_George Herbert_.

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I HEARD THE VOICE OF JESUS SAY

I heard the voice of Jesus say,
"Come unto me and rest;
Lay down, thou weary one, lay down
Thy head upon my breast."
I came to Jesus as I was,
Weary, and worn, and sad;
I found in Him a resting place,
And He has made me glad.

I heard the voice of Jesus say,
"Behold, I freely give
The living water: thirsty one,
Stoop down, and drink, and live."
I came to Jesus, and I drank
Of that life-giving stream;
My thirst was quenched, my soul revived,
And now I live in Him.

I heard the voice of Jesus say,
"I am this dark world's Light;
Look unto me, thy morn shall rise,
And all thy day be bright."
I looked to Jesus, and I found
In Him my Star, my Sun;
And in that light of life I'll walk
Till traveling days are done.
--_Horatius Bonar_.

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How, while He was still teaching and healing, many
began to turn against Him, and He, seeing
that He must suffer to save the
people, took up the
journey to the
cross.

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PERSONS OF THE STORY.
_The LORD JESUS_.
_The Disciples_.
_A man born blind_.
_A woman who was a sinner_.
_A Syro-Phoenician woman and her daughter_.
_Lazarus_.
_Mary_.
_Martha_.
_Zaccheus_.
_Bartimeus_.
_Scribes, Pharisees, lawyers_.
_Afflicted people, little children, priests, officers_.

PLACES OF THE STORY.
_The Sea of Galilee_.
_A rich man's feast_.
_The country to the north of Galilee_.
_Caesarea Philippi_.
_The "Mount of Transfiguration."_
_Bethany_.

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I

THE BEGINNING OF THE END

_How the Lord Jesus Tried to Turn the Minds of the People to Things Higher Than Crowns and Kingdoms, and How They Could Not Understand_.

When the Lord Jesus disappeared from the multitude, after he had fed them by the sea, they sought for him, and not finding him, they themselves got into the boats, and came to Capernaum, seeking Jesus. And when they found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, "Rabbi, when earnest thou hither?"

Jesus answered them and said, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw signs, but because ye ate of the loaves, and were filled. Work not for the food which perisheth, but for the food which abideth unto eternal life, which the Son of man shall give unto you."

They said therefore unto him, "What must we do, that we may work the works of God?"

Jesus answered and said unto them, "This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent."

They said therefore unto him, "What then doest thou {162} for a sign, that we may see, and believe thee? what workest thou? Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, 'He gave them bread out of heaven to eat.'"

Jesus therefore said unto them, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, It was not Moses who gave you the bread out of heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread out of heaven. For the bread of God is he who cometh down out of heaven, and giveth life unto the world."

They said therefore unto him, "Lord, evermore give us this bread."

Jesus said unto them, "I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall not hunger, and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. But I said unto you, that ye have seen me, and yet believe not. All that which the Father giveth me shall come unto me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. For I am come down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that of all those whom he hath given me I should lose none, but should raise them up at the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who beholdeth the Son, and believeth on him, should have eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day."

The Jews therefore murmured concerning him, because he said, "I am the bread which came down out of heaven."

And they said, "Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how doth he now say, 'I am come down out of heaven'?"

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THE LORD JESUS
By Heinrich Hofmann (1824-
[End illustration]

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Jesus answered and said unto them, "Murmur not among yourselves. No man can come to me, except the Father who sent me draw him: and I will raise him up in the last day. It is written in the prophets, 'And they shall all be taught of God.' Everyone that hath heard from the Father, and hath learned, cometh unto me. Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is from God, he hath seen the Father. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth hath eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your fathers did eat the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread which cometh down out of heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. I am the living bread which came down out of heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever: yea, and the bread which I will give is my flesh, for the life of the world."

Many therefore of his disciples, when they heard this, said, "This is a hard saying; who can hear it?"

But Jesus knowing in himself that his disciples murmured at this, said unto them, "Doth this cause you to stumble? What then if ye should behold the Son of man ascending where he was before? It is the spirit that giveth life; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I have spoken unto you are spirit, and are life. But there are some of you who believe not."

For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who it was who should betray him.

And he said, "For this cause have I said unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it be given unto him of the Father."

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Upon this many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Jesus said therefore unto the twelve, "Would ye also go away?" Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we have believed and know that thou art the Holy One of God."

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II

THE ENEMIES OF JESUS

_How the Leaders of the People Had Already Begun to Turn Against the Lord Jesus and to Dispute His Teaching_.

_Conflict About the Sabbath_.

There was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

Now there is in Jerusalem by the sheep gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a multitude of those who were sick, blind, lame, withered. And a certain man was there, who had been thirty-eight years in his infirmity. When Jesus saw him lying, and knew that he had been ill a long time, he saith unto him, "Wouldest thou be made whole?" The sick man answered him, "Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me."

Jesus saith unto him, "Arise, take up thy bed, and walk." And straightway the man was made whole, and took up his bed and walked.

Now it was the Sabbath on that day. So the Jews said unto him who was cured, "It is the Sabbath, and it is not lawful for thee to take up thy bed."

But he answered them, "He that made me whole, the same said unto me, 'Take up thy bed, and walk.'"

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They asked him, "Who is the man that said unto thee, 'Take up thy bed, and walk'?"

But he that was healed knew not who it was: for Jesus had gone away, a multitude being in the place.

Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, "Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing befall thee."

The man went away, and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him whole. And for this cause did the Jews persecute Jesus, because he did these things on the Sabbath. But Jesus answered them, "My Father worketh even until now, and I work."

For this cause therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only broke the Sabbath, but also called God his own Father, making himself equal with God.

At another time he was going on the Sabbath day through the cornfields; and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears of corn. And the Pharisees said unto him, "Behold, why do they on the Sabbath day that which is not lawful?"

And he said unto them, "Did ye never read what David did, when he had need, and was hungry, he, and those who were with him? How he entered into the house of God when Abiathar was high priest, and ate the showbread, which it is not lawful to eat save for the priests, and gave also to those who were with him?"

And he said unto them, "The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath: so that the Son of man is lord even of the Sabbath."

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And he entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there who had his hand withered. And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the Sabbath day; that they might accuse him. And he saith unto the man who had his hand withered, "Stand forth."

And he saith unto them, "Is it lawful on the Sabbath day to do good, or to do harm? to save a life, or to kill?"

But they held their peace. And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved at their hard-heartedness, he said to the man, "Stretch forth thy hand." And he stretched it forth: and his hand was restored.

And the Pharisees went out, and straightway with the Herodians took counsel against him, how they might destroy him.

_Conflict About the Treatment of Sinful People_.

And one of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him. And he entered into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to eat.

And behold, a woman who was in the city, a sinner, when she knew that he was eating in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster cruse of ointment, and standing behind at his feet, weeping, began to wet his feet with her tears, and wipe them with the hair of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he spoke within himself, saying, "This man, if he were a prophet, would have perceived who and what manner of woman this is who toucheth him, that she is a sinner."

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And Jesus answering said unto him, "Simon, I have something to say unto thee."

And he saith, "Master, say on."

Jesus said, "A certain lender had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. When they had nothing with which to pay, he forgave them both. Which of them therefore will love him most?"

Simon answered and said, "He, I suppose, to whom he forgave the most."

And he said unto him, "Thou hast rightly judged." And turning to the woman, he said unto Simon, "Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath wet my feet with her tears, and wiped them with her hair. Thou gavest me no kiss: but she, since the time I came in, hath not ceased to kiss my feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but she hath anointed my feet with ointment. Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little."

And he said unto her, "Thy sins are forgiven."

And they that were at the feast with him began to say within themselves, "Who is this who even forgiveth sins?"

And he said unto the woman, "Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace."

_Conflict About the Wonderful Deeds of Jesus_.

There was brought unto him one possessed with a demon, blind and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that {171} the dumb man spoke and saw. And all the multitude were amazed, and said, "Is this the son of David?" But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, "This man doth not cast out demons but by Beelzebub the prince of the demons."

And knowing their thoughts he said unto them, "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: and if Satan casteth out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then shall his kingdom stand? And if I by Beelzebub cast out demons, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges. But if I by the Spirit of God cast out demons, then is the kingdom of God come upon you."

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III

A LONG JOURNEY

_How the Lord Jesus Traveled to the North to be Alone with His Disciples, and How the People Still Thronged Him_.

And Jesus went out thence, and withdrew into the parts of Tyre and Sidon.

And he entered into a house, and would have no one know it: but he could not be hid. Soon a woman, whose little daughter had an unclean spirit, having heard of him, came and fell down at his feet. Now the woman was a Greek, a Syrophoenician by race. And she besought him that he would cast forth the demon out of her daughter.

And he said unto her, "Let the children first be filled: for it is not fitting to take the children's bread and cast it to the dogs."

But she answered and saith unto him, "Yea, Lord: even the little dogs under the table eat of the children's crumbs."

And he said unto her, "For this saying go thy way; the demon is gone out of thy daughter."

And she went away unto her house, and found the child laid upon the bed, and the demon gone out.

And again he went out from the borders of Tyre, and came through Sidon to the sea of Galilee, through the midst of the borders of Decapolis. And they bring unto him one that was deaf, and had an impediment in his speech; and they beseech him to lay his hand upon him.

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RUINS OF THE CASTLE AT CAESAREA-PHILIPPI.
A magnificent fortress at the head of the Jordan.

From a photograph of the Palestine Exploration Fund, and used by
special permission.
[End illustration]

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And he took him aside from the multitude privately, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat, and touched his tongue; and looking up to heaven, he sighed, and saith unto him, "Ephphatha," that is, "Be opened." And his ears were opened, and the bond of his tongue was loosed, and he spoke plainly.

And he charged them that they should tell no man: but the more he charged them, so much the more a great deal they published it. And they were beyond measure astonished, saying, "He hath done all things well: he maketh even the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak."

In those days, when there was again a great multitude, and they had nothing to eat, he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, "I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and if I send them away fasting to their home, they will faint in the way; and some of them are come from far."

And his disciples answered him, "Whence shall one be able to fill these men with bread here in a desert place?"

And he asked them, "How many loaves have ye?"

And they said, "Seven."

And he commandeth the multitude to sit down on the ground: and he took the seven loaves, and having given thanks, he broke the bread, and gave to his disciples, to set before them; and they set them before the multitude.

And they had a few small fishes: and having blessed {176} them, he commanded to set these also before them. And they ate, and were filled: and they took up, of broken pieces that remained over, seven baskets. And they were about four thousand: and he sent them away. And straightway he entered into the boat with his disciples, and came into the parts of Dalmanutha.

And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, trying him. And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, "Why doth this generation seek a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation." And he left them, and again entering into the boat departed to the other side.

And they forgot to take bread; and they had not in the boat with them more than one loaf. And he charged them, saying, "Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod."

And they reasoned one with another, saying, "It is because we have no bread." And Jesus perceiving it saith unto them, "Why reason ye, because ye have no bread? do ye not yet perceive, neither understand? have ye your heart hardened? Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember? When I broke the five loaves among the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces took ye up?"

They say unto him, "Twelve."

"And when the seven among the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces took ye up?"

And they say unto him, "Seven."

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And he said unto them, "Do ye not yet understand?" Then understood they that he bade them not to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

And they come unto Bethsaida. And they bring to him a blind man, and beseech him to touch him. And he took hold of the blind man by the hand, and brought him out of the village; and when he had spit on his eyes, and laid his hands upon him, he asked him, "Seest thou aught?"

And he looked up, and said, "I see men; but I behold them as trees, walking."

Then again he laid his hands upon his eyes; and he looked steadfastly, and was restored, and saw all things clearly. And he sent him away to his home, saying, "Do not even enter into the village."

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IV

THE SHADOW OF THE CROSS

_How the Lord Jesus Spoke Sad News to His Disciples_.

And Jesus went forth with his disciples, into the villages of Caesarea Philippi: and on the way he asked his disciples, saying unto them, "Who do men say that I am?"

And they told him, saying, "John the Baptist: and others, Elijah; but others, One of the prophets."

And he asked them, "But who say ye that I am?" Peter answereth and saith unto him, "Thou art the Christ."

And he charged them that they should tell no man of him. And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders, and the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. And he spoke the saying openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him. But he turning about, and seeing his disciples, rebuked Peter, and saith, "Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou mindest not the things of God, but the things of men."

And he called unto him the multitude with his disciples, and said unto them, "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever would save his life shall lose it; and {179} whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's shall save it. For what doth it profit a man, to gain the whole world, and lose his life? For what should a man give in exchange for his life? For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this sinful generation, the Son of man also shall be ashamed of him, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." And he said unto them, "Verily I say unto you, There are some here of them that stand by, who shall in no wise taste death, till they see the kingdom of God come with power."

And they went forth from thence, and passed through Galilee; and he would not that any man should know it. For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, "The Son of man is delivered up into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and when he is killed, after three days he shall rise again."

But they understood not the saying, and were afraid to ask him.

Sometime later Jesus again tried to make them understand. Then they were going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus was going before them: and they were amazed; and they that followed were afraid. And he took again the twelve, and began to tell them the things that were to happen unto him, saying, "Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests and the scribes; and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him unto the Gentiles: and they shall mock him, and shall spit upon him, and shall scourge him, and shall kill him; and after three days he shall rise again."

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V

THE TRANSFIGURATION

_How the Disciples Caught a Vision of the Lord Jesus' Glory and How They Were Afterward Taught a Lesson in Faith and Service_.

Soon after he spoke of what he must suffer Jesus took with him Peter, and James, and John, and brought them up into a high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them: and his garments became shining, exceeding white; so as no fuller on earth can whiten them. And there appeared unto them Elijah with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus.

And Peter saith to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three lodging places; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah." For he knew not what to answer; for they became greatly afraid.

And there came a cloud overshadowing them: and there came a voice out of the cloud, "This is my beloved Son: hear ye him." And suddenly looking round about, they saw no one any more, save Jesus only with themselves.

And as they were coming down from the mountain, he charged them that they should tell no man what things they had seen, until the Son of man should have risen again from the dead. And they kept the saying, questioning among themselves what the rising again from the dead might mean.

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And when they came to the disciples, they saw a great multitude about them, and scribes questioning with them. And straightway all the multitude, when they saw him, were greatly amazed, and running to him saluted him. And he asked them, "What question ye with them?" And one of the multitude answered him, "Master, I brought unto thee my son, who hath a dumb spirit; and wheresoever it taketh him, it dasheth him down: and he foameth, and grindeth his teeth and pineth away: and I spoke to thy disciples that they should cast it out; and they were not able."

And he answereth them and saith, "O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I bear with you? bring him unto me."

And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, at once the spirit tore him grievously; and he fell on the ground and wallowed, foaming. And he asked his father, "How long is it since this hath come unto him?"

And he said, "From a child. And oft-times it hath cast him both into the fire and into the water, to destroy him: but if thou canst do anything, have compassion on us, and help us."

And Jesus said unto him, "If thou canst! All things are possible to him that believeth."

Straightway the father of the child cried out, and said, "I believe; help thou mine unbelief."

And when Jesus saw that a multitude came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying unto him, "Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I command thee, come out {182} of him, and enter no more into him." And having cried out, and torn him much, the demon came out: and the child became as one dead; insomuch that most said, "He is dead." But Jesus took him by the hand, and raised him up; and he arose.

And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, saying, "How is it that we could not cast it out?"

And he said unto them, "This kind can come out by nothing, save by prayer."

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"LO! I STAND AT THE DOOR AND KNOCK"
By Carl Schoenherr
[End illustration]

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VI

TEACHING THE DISCIPLES

_How the Lord Jesus Spoke of Humility and of Forgiveness_.

And there come near unto him James and John, the sons of Zebedee, saying unto him, "Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall ask of thee."

And he said unto them, "What would ye that I should do for you?" And they said unto him, "Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and one on thy left hand, in thy glory."

But Jesus said unto them, "Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink the cup that I drink? or to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?"

And they said unto him, "We are able."

And Jesus said unto them, "The cup that I drink ye shall drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized shall ye be baptized: but to sit on my right hand or on my left hand is not mine to give: but it is for those for whom it hath been prepared."

And when the ten heard it, they began to be moved with indignation concerning James and John.

And Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, "Ye know that they who rule over the Gentiles lord it over them; and their great ones exercise authority over them. {186} But it is not so among you: but whosoever would become great among you, shall be your minister: and whosoever would be first among you, shall be servant of all. For verily the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many."

_The Story of the Ungrateful Servant_.

At another time came Peter, and said to him, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? until seven times?"

Jesus saith unto him, "I say not unto thee, Until seven times; but, Until seventy times seven.

"Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, who would make an accounting with his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, who owed him ten thousand talents. But because he had nothing with which to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, 'Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.' And the lord of that servant, being moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. But that servant went out, and found one of his fellow-servants, who owed him a hundred pence: and he laid hold of him, and took him by the throat, saying, 'Pay what thou owest.'

"So his fellow-servant fell down and besought him, saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay thee.' And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he {187} should pay that which was due. So when his fellow-servants saw what was done, they were exceeding sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. Then his lord called him unto him, and saith to him, 'Thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou besoughtest me: shouldest not thou also have had mercy on thy fellow-servant, even as I had mercy on thee?' And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the torturers, till he should pay all that was due. So shall also my heavenly Father do unto you, if ye forgive not everyone his brother from your hearts."

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VII

JESUS AND LITTLE CHILDREN

_How the Lord Jesus Spoke of Little Children, and How He Gave Them His Blessing_.

The disciples came unto Jesus, saying, "Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"

And he called to him a little child, and set him in the midst of them, and said, "Verily I say unto you, Except ye turn, and become as little children, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me: but whoso shall cause one of these little ones who believe on me to stumble, it would be better for him if a great millstone should be hanged about his neck, and he were sunk in the depth of the sea.

"See that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, that in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven. How think ye? if any man have a hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and go unto the mountains, and seek that which goeth astray? And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth {189} over it more than over the ninety and nine which have not gone astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish."

And they brought unto him little children, that he should touch them: and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was moved with indignation, and said unto them,--

"Suffer the little children to come unto me:
forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of heaven."

"Verily I say unto you, whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall in no wise enter therein." And he took them in his arms, and blessed them, laying his hands upon them.

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VIII

JESUS AT JERUSALEM

_How the Lord Jesus Visited Jerusalem at the Feast of Tabernacles, and How He Taught of Light and Freedom_.

And after these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Judaea, because the Jews sought to kill him. Now the feast of the Jews, the feast of tabernacles, was at hand. His brethren therefore said unto him, "Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may behold thy works which thou doest. For no man doeth anything in secret, and himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou doest these things, manifest thyself to the world." For even his brethren did not believe on him.

Jesus therefore saith unto them, "My hour is not yet come; but your time is always ready. The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that its works are evil. Go ye up to the feast: I go not up yet to this feast; because my time is not yet fulfilled."

And having said these things to them, he remained still in Galilee.

_Jesus Goes Secretly to Jerusalem_.

But when his brethren were gone up to the feast, then went he also up, not publicly, but in secret. The Jews {191} therefore sought him at the feast, and said, "Where is he?" And there was much discussion among the multitudes concerning him: some said, "He is a good man"; others said, "Not so, but he leadeth the multitude astray." Howbeit no man spoke openly of him for fear of the Jews.

But when it was now the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught. The Jews therefore marveled, saying, "How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?" Jesus therefore answered them, and said, "My teaching is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man willeth to do his will, he shall know of the teaching, whether it be of God, or whether I speak from myself. He that speaketh from himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh the glory of him that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him."

Some therefore of them of Jerusalem said, "Is not this he whom they seek to kill? And lo, he speaketh openly, and they say nothing unto him. Can it be that the rulers indeed know that this is the Christ? Howbeit we know this man whence he is: but when the Christ cometh, no one knoweth whence he is."

Jesus therefore spoke in the temple, teaching and saying, "Ye both know me, and know whence I am; and I am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true, whom ye know not. I know him; because I am from him, and he sent me."

They sought therefore to take him: but no man laid his hand on him, because his hour was not yet come. But of the multitude many believed on him; and they said, {192} "When the Christ shall come, will he do more signs than those which this man hath done?"

The Pharisees heard the multitude murmuring these things concerning him; and the chief priests and the Pharisees sent officers to take him. Jesus therefore said, "Yet a little while am I with you, and I go unto him that sent me. Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, ye cannot come."

"_Is this the Christ?_"

Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, "If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, from within him shall flow rivers of living water."

Some of the multitude therefore, when they heard these words, said, "This is of a truth the prophet." Others said, "This is the Christ." But some said. "What, doth the Christ come out of Galilee? Hath not the scripture said that the Christ cometh of the line of David, and from Bethlehem, the village where David was?" So there arose a division in the multitude because of him. And some of them would have taken him; but no man laid hands on him.

The officers therefore came to the chief priests and Pharisees, and they said unto them, "Why did ye not bring him?" The officers answered, "Never man so spoke."

The Pharisees therefore answered them, "Are ye also led astray? Hath any of the rulers believed on him, or of the Pharisees? But this multitude which knoweth not the law are accursed."

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Nicodemus saith unto them, "Doth our law judge a man, except it first hear from himself and know what he doeth?"

They answered and said unto him, "Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and see that out of Galilee ariseth no prophet."

Again therefore Jesus spoke unto them, saying, "I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."

The Pharisees therefore said unto him, "Thou bearest witness of thyself; thy witness is not true."

Jesus answered and said unto them, "Even if I bear witness of myself, my witness is true; for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye know not whence I come, or whither I go. Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man. Yea and if I judge, my judgment is true; for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me. Yea and in your law it is written, that the witness of two men is true. I am he that beareth witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me."

They said therefore unto him, "Where is thy Father?"

Jesus answered, "Ye know neither me, nor my Father: if ye knew me, ye would know my Father also." These words spoke he in the treasury, as he taught in the temple: and no man took him; because his hour was not yet come.

_"The Truth Shall Make You Free."_

Jesus therefore said to those Jews which had believed him, "If ye abide in my word, then are ye truly my {194} disciples; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

They answered unto him, "We are Abraham's children, and have never yet been in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, 'Ye shall be made free'?"

Jesus answered them, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Everyone that committeth sin is the bondservant of sin. And the bondservant abideth not in the house for ever: the son abideth for ever. If therefore the Son shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. I know that ye are Abraham's children; yet ye seek to kill me, because my word hath not free course in you. I speak the things which I have seen with my Father: and ye also do the things which ye heard from your father."

They answered and said unto him, "Our father is Abraham."

Jesus saith unto them, "If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham. But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I heard from God: this did not Abraham. Ye do the works of your father."

They said unto him, "We have one Father, even God." Jesus said unto them, "If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I came forth and am come from God; for neither have I come of myself, but he sent me. Why do ye not understand my speech? Even because ye cannot hear my word. Ye are of your father the devil, and the evil desires of your father it is your will to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and stood not in the truth, {195} because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father thereof. But because I say the truth, ye believe me not. Which of you convicteth me of sin? If I say truth, why do ye not believe me? He that is of God heareth the words of God: for this cause ye hear them not, because ye are not of God."

The Jews answered and said unto him, "Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a demon?"

Jesus answered, "I have not a demon; but I honor my Father, and ye dishonor me. But I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth. Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my word he shall never see death."

The Jews said unto him, "Now we know that thou hast a demon. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, 'If a man keep my word, he shall never taste of death.' Art thou greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself?"

Jesus answered, "If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing: it is my Father that glorifieth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God; and ye have not known him: but I know him; and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be like unto you, a liar: but I know him, and keep his word. Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day; and he saw it, and was glad."

The Jews therefore said unto him, "Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?"

{196}

Jesus said unto them, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am."

They took up stones therefore to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple.

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IX

AT THE FEAST OF THE DEDICATION

_How the Lord Jesus Visited Jerusalem Yet Again, How He Restored Sight to the Blind, and How He Taught of the Good Shepherd_.

At the feast of the dedication in the winter season, Jesus came again to Jerusalem. And as he passed by, he saw a man blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, saying, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man, or his parents, that he should be born blind?"

Jesus answered, "Neither did this man sin, nor his parents: but this happened that the works of God should be made manifest in him. I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. When I am in the world, I am the light of the world."

When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and anointed his eyes with the clay, and said unto him, "Go, wash in the pool of Siloam."

He went away therefore, and washed, and came seeing. The neighbors therefore, and they which saw him before, and knew him as a beggar, said, "Is not this he that sat and begged?"

Some said, "It is he": others said, "No, but he is like him."

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He said, "I am he,"

They said therefore unto him, "How then were thine eyes opened?"

He answered, "The man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, 'Go to Siloam, and wash': so I went away and washed, and I received sight."

And they said unto him, "Where is he?"

He saith, "I know not."

They brought to the Pharisees him that before was blind.

Now it was the Sabbath on the day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes. Again therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he received his sight. And he said unto them, "He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and see."

Some therefore of the Pharisees said, "This man is not from God, because he keepeth not the Sabbath."

But others said, "How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?"

And there was a division among them. They said therefore unto the blind man again, "What sayest thou of him, now that he has opened thine eyes?"

And he said, "He is a prophet."

The Jews did not believe that he had been blind, and had received his sight, until they called the parents of him that had received his sight, and asked them, saying, "Is this your son, who ye say was born blind? how then doth he now see?"

His parents answered and said, "We know that this is {199} our son, and that he was born blind: but how he now seeth, we know not; or who opened his eyes, we know not; ask him; he is of age; he shall speak for himself."

These things said his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man should confess Jesus to be Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue. Therefore said his parents, "He is of age; ask him." So they called a second time the man that was blind, and said unto him, "Give glory to God: we know that this man is a sinner."

He therefore answered, "Whether he is a sinner, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see."

They said therefore unto him, "What did he to thee? how opened he thine eyes?"