Chapter XLV: Preface (5)
So when he had washed their feet, and taken his garments, and sat down again, he said unto them, "Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me 'Master,' and, 'Lord': and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, the Lord and the Master, have washed your feet, ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye also should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, A servant is not greater than his lord; neither one that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, blessed are ye if ye do them."
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THE LAST SUPPER.
By Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
This was painted on the wall of a monastery in Milan. It has been
damaged and mutilated, and now is almost faded out.
This is one of the greatest pictures ever painted. The following is
an explanation of the picture: "Judas half turns to discover of whom
St. Peter is speaking so passionately, and is preparing himself to
deny everything. But he is already discovered. St. James the Less,
passing his arm over the shoulder of St. Andrew, touches St. Peter
to tell him that the traitor is at his side. St. Andrew looks at
Judas with horror, and St. Bartholomew, at the end of the table, has
started up from his seat to regard him more intently. At the left of
Christ, St. James protests his innocence by a natural gesture. St.
Thomas, pressing near to Christ, seems to ask 'One of us?' St.
Philip, the youngest of the apostles, places his hand over his heart
and rises to protest his fidelity. St. Matthew repeats the terrible
words to the indignant St. Simon, who refuses to believe them. St.
Thaddeus, who has first told them to him, points to Matthew to
confirm them. The dying rays of evening light add deeper somberness
to the sad face of the Christ."
--_Stendhal, "History of Italian Painters"_
[End illustration]
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When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and said, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, one of you shall betray me."
The disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spoke. There was at the table reclining in Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved. Simon Peter therefore beckoneth to him, and saith unto him, "Tell us who it is of whom he speaketh."
He leaning back, as he was, on Jesus' breast, said unto him, "Lord, who is it?"
Jesus therefore answereth, "He it is, for whom I shall dip the sop, and give it him."
So when he had dipped the sop, he took and gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. And after the sop, then entered Satan into him. Jesus therefore saith unto him, "What thou doest, do quickly."
Now no man at the table knew why he spoke this to him. For some thought, because Judas had the bag, Jesus said unto him, "Buy what things we have need of for the feast"; or, that he should give something to the poor. He then having received the sop went out straightway: and it was night.
When therefore he was gone out, Jesus said, "Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him. Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, 'Whither I go, ye cannot come'; so now I say unto you. A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; even as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all {254} men know that ye are my disciples, if ye love one another."
Simon Peter saith unto him, "Lord, whither goest thou?"
Jesus answered, "Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow afterwards."
Peter saith unto him, "Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thee."
Jesus answereth, "Wilt thou lay down thy life for me? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, before thou hast denied me thrice."
"_Let Not Your Heart be Troubled_."
"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go to prepare a place for you, I come again, and will receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go, ye know the way."
Thomas saith unto him, "Lord, we know not whither thou goest; how know we the way?"
Jesus saith unto him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no one cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye would have known my Father also: from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him."
Philip saith unto him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us."
Jesus saith unto him, "Have I been so long time with you, and dost thou not know me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; how sayest thou, 'Show us the Father?'
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HEAD OF CHRIST.
By Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
This was a study made by the great master for his picture, "The Last
Supper."
[End illustration]
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Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? The words that I say unto you I speak not from myself: but the Father abiding in me doeth his works. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto the Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask me anything in my name, that will I do. If ye love me, ye will keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may be with you for ever, even the Spirit of truth: whom the world cannot receive; for it beholdeth him not, neither knoweth him: ye know him; for he abideth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless. I come unto you. Yet a little while, and the world beholdeth me no more; but ye behold me: because I live, ye shall live also. In that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself unto him."
Judas (not Iscariot) said unto him, "Lord, why is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?"
Jesus answered and said unto him, "If a man love me, he will keep my word: and my Father will love him, and {258} we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my words: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's who sent me.
"These things have I spoken unto you, while yet abiding with you. But the Comforter, even the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said unto you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Ye heard how I said to you, 'I go away, and I come unto you.' If ye loved me, ye would have rejoiced, because I go unto the Father: for the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe. I will no more speak much with you, for the prince of the world cometh: and he hath nothing in me; but that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do."
_Jesus is the True Vine_.
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit, he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he cleanseth, that it may bear more fruit. Already ye are clean because of the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; so neither can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches:
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MOUNT OF OLIVES--GETHSEMANE.
The Mount of Olives, the traditional site of Gethsemane, on the
right--the space inclosed by a wall.
"It was a garden or orchard marked probably by some slight
inclosure. The name Gethsemane means 'the oil press,' and doubtless
it was so called from a press to crush the olives yielded by the
countless trees from which the hill derives its designation."
[End illustration]
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He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same beareth much fruit: for apart from me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and they gather them and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatsoever ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; and so shall ye be my disciples. Even as the Father hath loved me, I also have loved you: abide ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. This is my commandment, that ye love one another, even as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do the things which I command you. No longer do I call you servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I heard from my Father I have made known unto you. Ye did not choose me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that ye should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should abide: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. These things I command you, that ye may love one another."
_Jesus Prays for His Disciples_.
These things spoke Jesus; and lifting up his eyes to heaven, he said, "Father, the hour is come; glorify thy {262} Son, that the Son may glorify thee: even as thou gavest him authority over all flesh, that to all whom thou hast given him, he should give eternal life. And this is life eternal, that they should know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou didst send. I have glorified thee on the earth, I have accomplished the work which thou hast given me to do. And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. I manifested thy name unto the men whom thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them to me; and they have kept thy word. Now they know that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are from thee: for the words which thou gavest me I have given unto them; and they received them, and knew of a truth that I came forth from thee, and they believed that thou didst send me. I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for those whom thou hast given me; for they are thine: and all things that are mine are thine, and thine are mine: and I am glorified in them. And I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep them in thy name whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. While I was with them, I kept in thy name those whom thou hast given me: and I guarded them, and not one of them perished, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled. But now I come to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy made full in themselves. I have given them thy word; and the world hated them, because they are not of the {263} world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them from the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth: thy word is truth. As thou didst send me into the world, even so sent I them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth. Neither for these only do I pray, but for them also that believe on me through their word; that they may all be one; even as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be in us: that the world may believe that thou didst send me. And the glory which thou hast given me I have given unto them; that they may be one, even as we are one; I in them, and thou in me, that they may be perfected into one; that the world may know that thou didst send me, and lovedst them, even as thou lovedst me. Father, I desire that those whom thou hast given me should be with me to behold the glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father, the world knew thee not, but I knew thee; and these knew that thou didst send me; and I made known unto them thy name, and will make it known; that the love wherewith thou lovedst me may be in them, and I in them."
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VI
THE BETRAYAL
_How the Lord Jesus Fell into the Hands of His Enemies_.
(FRIDAY, THE DAY OF THE CRUCIFIXION.)
And he came out, and went, as his custom was, to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples also followed him.
And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith unto his disciples, "Sit ye here, while I pray."
And he took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be heavy-hearted, and deeply troubled. And he saith unto them, "My soul is exceeding sorrowful even unto death: abide ye here, and watch."
And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass away from him.
And he said, "Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; remove this cup from me: howbeit not what I will, but what thou wilt."
And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, "Simon, sleepest thou? couldest thou not watch one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."
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CHRIST IN GETHSEMANE.
By Heinrich Hofmann (1824-
[End illustration]
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And again he went away, and prayed, saying the same words. And again he came, and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy; and they knew not what to answer him. And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, "Sleep on now, and take your rest: It is enough; the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Arise, let us be going: behold, he that betrayeth me is at hand.".
And straightway, while he yet spoke, came Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a multitude with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. Now he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, "Whomsoever I shall kiss, that is he; take him, and lead him away safely."
And when he was come, straightway he came to him, and saith, "Rabbi"; and kissed him.
Simon Peter therefore having a sword drew it, and struck the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. Now the servant's name was Malchus. Jesus therefore said unto Peter, "Put up the sword into the sheath: the cup which the Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?"
Then Jesus said. "Suffer ye thus far." And he touched his ear, and healed him.
And Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and elders, which were come against him, "Are ye come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs? When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched not forth your hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness."
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VII
THE TRIAL
_How the Lord Jesus Was Falsely Charged with Crime_.
_The Trial Before Annas._
So the soldiers and the chief captain, and the officers of the Jews, seized Jesus and bound him, and led him to Annas first; for he was father-in-law to Caiaphas, who was high priest that year.
Annas therefore asked Jesus about his disciples, and his teaching. Jesus answered him, "I have spoken openly to the world; I ever taught in synagogues, and in the temple, where all the Jews come together; and in secret spoke I nothing. Why askest thou me? ask them that have heard me, what I spoke unto them: behold, these know the things which I said."
And when he had said this, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, "Answerest thou the high priest so?"
Jesus answered him, "If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?"
Annas therefore sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest.
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_The Trial Before Caiaphas, the High Priest_.
And they led Jesus away to the high priest: and there came together with him all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes.
And Peter had followed him afar off, even within, into the court of the high priest; and he was sitting with the officers, and warming himself in the light of the fire. Now the chief priests and the whole council sought witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found it not. For many bore false witness against him, and their witness agreed not together. And there stood up certain men, and bore false witness against him, saying, "We heard him say, 'I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another made without hands.'"
And not even so did their witness agree together. And the high priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, saying, "Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?"
But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and saith unto him, "Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?"
And Jesus said, "I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of power, and coming with the clouds of heaven."
And the high priest rent his clothes, and saith, "What further need have we of witnesses? Ye have heard the blasphemy: what think ye?"
And they all condemned him to be worthy of death.
And some began to spit on him, and to cover his eyes, and {270} to buffet him, and to say unto him, "Prophesy who is it that smote thee," and the officers received him with blows of their hands.
_How Peter Denied His Lord_.
But Peter had followed afar off. And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the court, and had sat down together, Peter sat in the midst of them. And a certain maid seeing him as he sat in the light of the fire, and looking steadfastly upon him, said, "This man also was with him."
But he denied, saying, "Woman, I know him not."
And after a little while another saw him, and said, "Thou also art one of them."
But Peter said, "Man, I am not."
And after the space of about one hour another confidently affirmed, saying, "Of a truth this man also was with him: for he is a Galilaean."
But Peter said, "Man, I know not what thou sayest." And immediately, while he yet spoke, the cock crew.
And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how that he said unto him, "Before the cock crow this day, thou shalt deny me thrice."
And he went out, and wept bitterly.
_The Trial Before the Jewish Court_.
As soon as it was day, the assembly of the elders of the people was gathered together, both chief priests and {271} scribes; and they led him away into their council, saying, "If thou art the Christ, tell us."
But he said unto them, "If I tell you, ye will not believe: and if I ask you, ye will not answer. But from henceforth shall the Son of man be seated at the right hand of the power of God."
And they all said, "Art thou then the Son of God?"
And he said unto them, "Ye say that I am."
And they said. "What further need have we of witness? for we ourselves have heard from his own mouth."
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VIII
THE JUDGMENT
_How the Lord Jesus Was Unjustly Condemned to Die_.
_The Hearing Before Pilate_.
They led Jesus therefore into the palace: and it was early; and they themselves entered not into the palace, that they might not be defiled, but might eat the passover. Pilate therefore went out unto them, and saith, "What accusation bring ye against this man?"
They answered and said unto him, "If this man were not an evil-doer, we should not have delivered him up unto thee."
Pilate therefore said unto them, "Take him yourselves, and judge him according to your law."
The Jews said unto him, "It is not lawful for us to put any man to death."
Pilate therefore entered again into the palace, and called Jesus, and said unto him, "Art thou the King of the Jews?"
Jesus answered, "Sayest thou this of thyself, or did others tell it thee concerning me?"
Pilate answered, "Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done?"
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CHRIST BEFORE PILATE.
By Munkacsy
[End illustration]
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Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence."
Pilate therefore said unto him, "Art thou a king then?"
Jesus answered, "Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end have I been born, and to this end am I come into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice."
Pilate saith unto him, "What is truth?"
And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, "I find no fault in this man."
But they were the more urgent, saying, "He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Judaea, and beginning from Galilee even unto this place."
But when Pilate heard it, he asked whether the man were a Galilaean. And when he knew that he was of Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him unto Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem in these days.
_The Trial Before Herod_.
Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he had been for a long time desirous of seeing him, because he had heard concerning him; and he hoped to see some miracle done by him. And he questioned him in many words; but he answered him nothing. And the chief priests and the scribes stood, vehemently accusing him. And Herod with his soldiers treated him as one of no account, and mocked him, and arraying him in gorgeous apparel sent him back to Pilate. And Herod and Pilate became {276} friends with each other that very day: for before they were at enmity between themselves.
_The Sentence of Death_.
Now at the feast it was Pilate's custom to release unto them one prisoner, whom they asked of him. And there was one called Barabbas, lying bound with them that had made insurrection, men who in the insurrection had committed murder. And the multitude went up and began to ask him to do as he was wont to do unto them. And Pilate answered them, saying, "Will ye that I release unto you the King of the Jews?"
For he perceived that for envy the chief priests had delivered him up. And while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, "Have thou nothing to do with that righteous man: for I have been much disturbed to-day in a dream because of him." But the chief priests stirred up the multitude, that he should rather release Barabbas unto them. And Pilate again answered and said unto them, "What then shall I do unto him whom ye call the King of the Jews?"
Then they shouted, saying, "Crucify him, crucify him." And he said unto them the third time, "Why, what evil hath this man done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him and release him."
But they were urgent with loud voices, asking that he might be crucified. And their voices prevailed. And he released him that for insurrection and murder had been cast into prison, whom they asked for.
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A STREET IN JERUSALEM, LEADING TO THE CHURCH OF THE HOLY SEPULCHER
From a photograph belonging to Miss Julia W. Snow, and used by her
kind permission
This picture shows the street leading to the Church of the Holy
Sepulcher, one of those streets which have steps and are therefore
accessible only to foot passengers.
[End illustration]
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But Jesus he scourged. And the soldiers plaited a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and arrayed him in a purple garment; and they came unto him, and said, "Hail, King of the Jews!" and they struck him with their hands.
And Pilate went out again, and saith unto them, "Behold, I bring him out to you, that ye may know that I find no crime in him."
Jesus therefore came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple garment. And Pilate saith unto them, "Behold, the man!"
When therefore the chief priests and the officers saw him, they cried out, saying, "Crucify him, crucify him."
Pilate saith unto them, "Take him yourselves, and crucify him: for I find no crime in him."
The Jews answered him, "We have a law, and by that law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God."
When Pilate therefore heard this saying, he was the more afraid; and he entered into the palace again, and saith unto Jesus, "Whence art thou?"
But Jesus gave him no answer. Pilate therefore saith unto him, "Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to release thee, and have power to crucify thee?"
Jesus answered him, "Thou wouldest have no power against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath greater sin."
Upon this Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, "If thou release this man, thou art not {280} Caesar's friend: everyone that maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar."
When Pilate therefore heard these words, he brought Jesus out, and sat down on the judgment-seat at a place called The Pavement, but in Hebrew, Gabbatha. Now it was the Preparation of the passover: it was about the sixth hour. And he saith unto the Jews, "Behold, your King!"
They therefore cried out, "Away with him, away with him, crucify him."
Pilate saith unto them, "Shall I crucify your King?" The chief priests answered, "We have no king but Caesar."
Then therefore he delivered him unto them to be crucified.
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IX
THE CRUCIFIXION
_How the Lord Jesus Died on the Cross_.
They took Jesus then: and he went out, bearing the cross for himself, unto the place called The place of a skull, which is called in Hebrew Golgotha.
And there followed him a great multitude of the people, and of women who bewailed and lamented him. But Jesus turning unto them said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children. For behold, the days are coming, in which they shall say to the mountains, 'Fall on us'; and to the hills, 'Cover us.' For if they do these things in the green tree, what shall be done in the dry?"
And they compelled one passing by, Simon of Cyrene, coming from the country, to go with them, that he might bear his cross.
And there were two thieves led with him to be put to death.
And they offered him wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not. And they crucified him, and parted his garments among them, casting lots upon them, what each should take. And it was the third hour, when they crucified him, and they crucified the thieves, one on the right hand and the other on the left.
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And Jesus said, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do."
And the superscription of his accusation was written over him,--
"Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews."
This title therefore read many of the Jews, for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city; and it was written in Hebrew, and in Latin, and in Greek. The chief priests of the Jews therefore said to Pilate, "Write not, 'The King of the Jews'; but, that he said, 'I am King of the Jews.'" Pilate answered, "What I have written I have written."
And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and saying, "Ha! thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself, and come down from the cross."
In like manner also the chief priests mocking him among themselves with the scribes said, "He saved others; himself he cannot save. Let the Christ, the King of Israel, now come down from the cross, that we may see and believe."
And they that were crucified with him reproached him. And one of the thieves railed on him, saying, "Art not thou the Christ? save thyself and us."
But the other answered, and rebuking him said, "Dost thou not even fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss."
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THE FRONT OF THE CHURCH OF THE HOLY SEPULCHER, JERUSALEM.
Over the traditional site of Calvary and the tomb of Jesus.
Used by special permission of the Detroit Photograph Company.
[End illustration]
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And he said, "Jesus, remember me when thou comest in thy kingdom."
And Jesus said unto him, "Verily I say unto thee, To-day shalt thou be with me in Paradise."
But there were standing by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, "Woman, behold, thy son!"
Then saith he to the disciple, "Behold, thy mother!" And from that hour the disciple took her unto his own home.
And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, "_Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?_" that is, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?"
And some of them that stood by, when they heard it, said, "Behold, he calleth Elijah."
And one ran, and filling a sponge full of sour wine, put it on a reed, and gave him to drink. But others said, "Let him alone; let us see whether Elijah cometh to take him down."
When Jesus therefore had received the wine, he said, "It is finished": and he bowed his head, and gave up his spirit.
And when the centurion, which stood by over against him, saw that he so gave up his spirit, he said, "Truly this man was the Son of God."
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X
THE BURIAL
_How the Body of the Lord Jesus Was Buried in a Rich Man's Tomb_.
The Jews therefore, because it was the Preparation (that is, the day before the Sabbath), and because bodies should not remain on the cross upon the Sabbath, asked of Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. The soldiers therefore came, and broke the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him: but when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they broke not his legs: but one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and straightway there came out blood and water.
And behold, a man named Joseph, who was a councilor, a good man and a righteous (he had not consented to their counsel and deed), a man of Arimathaea, a city of the Jews, who was looking for the kingdom of God: this man went to Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus. And he took it down, and wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid him in a tomb that was hewn in stone, where never man had yet lain. And he rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb, and departed. And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses beheld where he was laid. And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments.
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Now on the morrow, which is the day after the Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees were gathered together unto Pilate, saying, "Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, 'After three days I rise again.' Command therefore that the sepulcher be made sure until the third day, lest haply his disciples come and steal him away, and say unto the people, 'He is risen from the dead': and the last error will be worse than the first."
Pilate said unto them, "Ye have a guard: go your way, make it as sure as ye can."
So they went, and made the sepulcher sure, sealing the stone, the guard being with them.
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THE WOMEN AT THE TOMB.
By Bouguereau (1825-1905)
[End illustration]
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CHRIST, THE LORD, IS RISEN TO-DAY
"Christ, the Lord, is risen to-day,"
Sons of men and angels say.
Raise your joys and triumphs high;
Sing, ye heavens, and earth, reply.
Love's redeeming work is done,
Fought the fight, the battle won.
Lo, our Sun's eclipse is o'er;
Lo, He sets in blood no more.
Vain the stone, the watch, the seal;
Christ has burst the gates of hell;
Death in vain forbids His rise:
Christ has opened Paradise.
Lives again our glorious King:
Where, O death, is now thy sting?
Once He died our souls to save:
Where thy victory, O grave?
Soar we now where Christ has led,
Following our exalted Head:
Made like Him, like Him we rise;
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies.
Hail, the Lord of earth and Heaven!
Praise to Thee by both be given:
Thee we greet triumphant now;
Hail, the Resurrection Thou!
--_Rev. Charles Wesley_.
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THE NEAREST FRIEND
Dear Jesus, ever at my side,
How loving Thou must be,
To leave Thy home in heaven to guard
A little child like me.
Thy beautiful and shining face
I see not, though so near;
The sweetness of Thy soft voice
I am too deaf to hear.
I cannot feel Thee touch my hand,
With pressure light and mild,
To check me, as my mother did
When I was but a child.
But I have felt Thee in my thoughts,
Fighting with sin for me;
And when my heart loves God, I know
The sweetness is from Thee.
Yes, when I pray, Thou prayest, too,
The prayer is all for me;
But when I sleep Thou sleepest not,
But watchest patiently.
--_F. W. Faber_.
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STILL, STILL WITH THEE
Still, still with Thee, my God.
I would desire to be;
By day, by night, at home, abroad,
I would be still with Thee.
With Thee when dawn comes in,
And calls me back to care,
Each day returning to begin
With Thee, my God, in prayer.
With Thee when day is done,
And evening calms the mind;
The setting, as the rising, sun
With Thee my heart would find.
With Thee, in Thee, by faith
Abiding I would be;
By day, by night, in life, in death,
I would be still with Thee.
--_James D. Burns_.
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OH, WORSHIP THE KING
Oh, worship the King, all-glorious above,
And gratefully sing his wonderful love;
Our Shield and Defender, the Ancient of days,
Pavilioned in splendor, and girdled with praise.
Thy bountiful care what tongue can recite?
It breathes in the air, it shines in the light,
It streams from the hills, it descends to the plain,
And sweetly distils in the dew and the rain.
Frail children of dust, and feeble as frail,
In Thee do we trust, nor find Thee to fail;
Thy mercies how tender! how firm to the end!
Our Maker, Defender, Redeemer, and Friend.
--_R. Grant_.
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How the Lord Jesus rose again from the dead,
how He comforted His disciples, and
how He sent them out to
teach all men in
His name.
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PERSONS OF THE STORY.
The LORD JESUS.
Mary Magdalene.
Peter.
"The Other Disciple."
Cleopas.
Thomas.
Disciples, Angels.
PLACES OF THE STORY.
_The Garden of the Tomb_.
_The Village of Emmaus_.
_Jerusalem_.
_The Sea of Galilee_.
_The Mountain of the Ascension_.
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I
THE RESURRECTION
_How the Lord Jesus Rose from the Dead, and Appeared to Mary of Magdala_.
Now on the first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, while it was yet dark, unto the tomb, and seeth the stone taken away from the tomb. She runneth therefore, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, "They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we know not where they have laid him."
Peter therefore went forth, and the other disciple, and they went toward the tomb. And they ran both together: and the other disciple outran Peter, and came first to the tomb; and stooping and looking in, he seeth the linen cloths lying; yet entered he not in. Simon Peter therefore also cometh, following him, and entered into the tomb; and he beholdeth the linen cloths lying, and the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen cloths, but rolled up in a place by itself. Then entered in therefore the other disciple also, which came first to the tomb, and he saw, and believed. For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead. So the disciples went away again unto their own home.
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But Mary was standing without at the tomb weeping: so, as she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb; and she beholdeth two angels in white sitting, one at the head, and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. And they say unto her, "Woman, why weepest thou?" She saith unto them, "Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him."
When she had thus said, she turned herself back, and beholdeth Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.
Jesus saith unto her, "Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou?"
She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, "Sir, if thou hast borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away."
Jesus saith unto her, "Mary."
She turneth herself, and saith unto him in Hebrew, "Rabboni"; which is to say, "Master."
Jesus saith to her, "Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended unto the Father: but go unto my brethren, and say to them, 'I ascend unto my Father and your Father, and my God and your God.'"
Mary Magdalene cometh and telleth the disciples, "I have seen the Lord"; and that he had said these things unto her.
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THE WOMEN AT THE TOMB.
[End illustration]
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II
ON THE WAY TO EMMAUS
_How on the Same Day He Joined Two of His Disciples, as They Walked into the Country_.
And behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was three-score furlongs from Jerusalem. And they communed with each other of all these things which had happened. And it came to pass, while they communed and questioned together, that Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. But their eyes were holden that they should not know him. And he said unto them, "What communications are these that ye have one with another, as ye walk?"
And they stood still, looking sad. And one of them, named Cleopas, answering said unto him, "Dost thou alone sojourn in Jerusalem and not know the things which are come to pass there in these days?"
And he said unto them, "What things?"
And they said unto him, "The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we hoped that it was he who should redeem Israel. Yea and beside all this, it is now the third day since these things came to pass. Moreover {302} certain women of our company amazed us, having been early at the tomb; and when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive. And certain of them that were with us went to the tomb, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not."
And he said unto them, "O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe in all the prophets have spoken! Ought not the Christ to suffer these things, and to enter into his glory?"
And beginning from Moses and from all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. And they drew near unto the village, whither they were going: and he made as though he would go further. And they constrained him, saying, "Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is now far spent."
And he went in to abide with them. And it came to pass, when he had sat down with them to meat, he took the bread, and blessed it, and broke, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. And they said one to another, "Was not our heart burning within us, while he spoke to us on the way, while he opened to us the scriptures?"
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CHRIST AND HIS DISCIPLES ON THE WAY TO EMMAUS.
By Bernard Plockhorst (1825- )
"He blessed the bread, but vanished at the word
And left them both exclaiming, "T was the Lord!
Did not our hearts feel all he deign'd to say?
Did they not burn within us by the way?'
--_Cowper_.
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III
DOUBTING THOMAS
_How the Lord Jesus Appeared to His Disciples Twice at Jerusalem_.
Those disciples with whom Jesus had eaten at Emmaus rose up that very hour, and returned to Jerusalem, in the evening, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them. The eleven told them in secret, the doors being shut for fear of the Jews, "The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon." And the two disciples told the others the things that happened on the way, and how he was known of them in the breaking of the bread.
And as they spoke these things, he himself stood in the midst of them, and said unto them, "Peace be unto you."
But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they beheld a spirit. And he said unto them, "Why are ye troubled? and wherefore do questionings arise in your heart? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye behold me having."
And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. And while they still disbelieved for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, "Have ye here anything to eat?" And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish.
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And he took it and did eat before them.
But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said unto him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said unto them, "Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe."
And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them. Jesus cometh, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, "Peace be unto you."
Then said he to Thomas, "Reach hither thy finger, and see my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and put it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing."
Thomas answered and said unto him, "My Lord and my God."
Jesus said unto him, "Because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they who have not seen, and yet have believed."
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IV
"FEED MY SHEEP."
_How the Lord Jesus Appeared to His Disciples as They Fished at the Sea of Galilee_.
After these things Jesus manifested himself again to the disciples at the sea of Galilee in this way. There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples. Simon Peter said unto them, "I go a fishing."
They say unto him, "We also come with thee."
They went forth, and entered into the boat; and that night they took nothing. But when day was now breaking, Jesus stood on the beach: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. Jesus therefore said unto them, "Children, have ye ought to eat?"
They answered him, "No."
And he said unto them, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and ye shall find."
They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes. That disciple therefore whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, "It is the Lord."
So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his coat about him (for he was naked), and cast himself into the sea. But the other disciples came in the little {308} boat (for they were not far from the land, but about two hundred cubits off), dragging the net full of fishes. So when they got out upon the land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread. Jesus said unto them, "Bring of the fish which ye have now taken."
Simon Peter therefore went up, and drew the net to land, full of great fishes, a hundred and fifty-three: and for all there were so many, the net was not rent. Jesus said unto them, "Come and break your fast."
And none of the disciples dared inquire of him, "Who art thou?" knowing that it was the Lord.
Jesus came, and took the bread, and gave them, and the fish likewise.
So when they had broken their fast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, lovest thou me more than these?"
He said unto him, "Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee."
He said unto him, "Feed my lambs."
He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of John, lovest thou me?"
He said unto him, "Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee."
He said unto him, "Tend my sheep."
He said unto him the third time, "Simon, son of John, lovest thou me?"
Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, "Lovest thou me?" And he said unto him, "Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee."
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Jesus said unto him, "Feed my sheep."
And when he had spoken this, he said unto him, "Follow me."
Peter, turning about, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following; and said to Jesus, "Lord, and what shall this man do?"
Jesus said unto him, "If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? Follow thou me."
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V
THE ASCENSION
_How the Lord Jesus Appeared Again in Galilee, and How He at Last Went Away from Earth to Heaven_.
But the eleven disciples went into Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw him, they worshiped him: but some doubted. And Jesus came to them and spoke unto them, saying,--
"All authority hath ben given unto me in heaven and on earth. Go ye
therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into
the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: teaching
them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am
with you always, even unto the end of the world."
Then they all went again to Jerusalem, where Jesus appeared once more to them, and spoke with them about the kingdom of God. They, still thinking that he meant an earthly kingdom of which he would be king at Jerusalem, and wondering when it would come, asked him, saying, "Lord, dost thou at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?"
And he said unto them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons, which the Father hath set within his own authority. But ye shall receive power, when the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea and Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."
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THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST.
By G. Biermann
[End illustration]
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And he said unto them, "These are my words which I spoke unto you, while I was yet with you, how that all things must needs be fulfilled, which are written in the law of Moses, and the prophets, and the psalms, concerning me."
Then opened he their mind, that they might understand the scriptures; and he said unto them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer, and rise again from the dead the third day; and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name unto all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. Ye are witnesses of these things. And behold, I send forth the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city, until ye be clothed with power from on high."
And he led them out until they were over against Bethany: and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass while he blessed them, he departed from them, and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: and were continually in the temple, blessing God.
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Leaders and victories of the New Faith.
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JESUS SHALL REIGN
Jesus shall reign where'er the sun
Does his successive journeys run;
His kingdom stretch from shore to shore,
Till moons shall wax and wane no more.
To Him shall endless prayer be made,
And endless praises crown His head;
His name, like sweet perfume, shall rise
With every morning sacrifice.
People and realms of every tongue
Dwell on His love, with sweetest song;
And infant voices shall proclaim
Their early blessings on His name.
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The Bible StoryChapter XLV: Preface (5)
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