The Bible Story Part 250

Jesus saith unto her, "Said I not unto thee, that, if thou believedst, thou shouldest see the glory of G.o.d?"

So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, "Father, I thank thee that thou heardest me. And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the mult.i.tude which standeth around I said it, that they may believe that thou didst send me."

And when he had thus spoken, he cried with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come forth."

He that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with grave-clothes; and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, "Loose him, and let him go."

Many therefore of the Jews, which came to Mary and beheld that which he did, believed on him. But some of them went away to the Pharisees, and told them the things which Jesus had done.

The rulers of the Jews then began to plot to kill Jesus. Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews, but departed thence into the country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim; and there he tarried with the disciples.

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XIII

ZACCHAEUS THE PUBLICAN.

_How the Lord Jesus, Still Doing Loving Deeds, Began the Journey Which Was to Lead to the Cross_.

After some weeks of retirement, Jesus again went to Jerusalem. On the way, he and his disciples came to Jericho: and as he went out from Jericho, with his disciples and a great mult.i.tude, the son of Timaeus, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the wayside. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, "Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me."

And many rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried out the more a great deal, "Thou son of David, have mercy on me."

And Jesus stood still, and said, "Call ye him."

And they called the blind man, saying unto him, "Be of good cheer: rise, he calleth thee."

And he sprang up, and came to Jesus. And Jesus answered him, and said, "What wilt thou that I should do unto thee?" And the blind man said unto him, "Lord, that I may receive my sight."

And Jesus said unto him, "Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole."

And straightway he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.

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And he entered and was pa.s.sing through Jericho. And behold, a man called by name Zacchaeus; who was a chief publican, and rich. And he sought to see who Jesus was; and could not for the crowd, because he was little of stature. And he ran on before, and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him: for he was to pa.s.s that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and said unto him, "Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to-day I must abide at thy house."

And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, "He is gone in to lodge with a man that is a sinner."

And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord, "Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have wrongfully exacted aught of any man, I restore fourfold."

And Jesus said unto him, "To-day is salvation come to this house, forasmuch as he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man came to seek and to save that which was lost."

(This is the close of Jesus' ministry outside Jerusalem. After this he and his disciples continued their journey to the city. The enemies of Jesus were plotting against him, and the storm of their hatred was about to break. Nevertheless, fully conscious of what his fate must be, the hero of humanity took up the journey to the cross.)

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GETHSEMANE

'Tis midnight,--and on Olive's brow, The star is dimmed that lately shone; 'Tis midnight--In the garden now The suffering Saviour prays alone.

'Tis midnight,--and, from all removed, Immanuel wrestles, lone with fears; E'en the disciple that He loved Heeds not his Master's grief and tears.

'Tis midnight,--and for others' guilt The Man of sorrows weeps in blood; Yet He, who hath in anguish knelt, Is not forsaken by his G.o.d.

'Tis midnight,--and, from ether-plains, Is borne the song that angels know; Unheard by mortals are the strains That sweetly soothe the Saviour's woe.

--_W. B. Tappan_.

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RIDE ON IN MAJESTY Ride on! ride on in majesty!

In lowly pomp ride on to die.

O Christ, Thy triumphs now begin O'er captive death and conquered sin.

Ride on! ride on in majesty!

The winged squadrons of the sky Look down with sad and wondering eyes To see the approaching sacrifice.

Ride on! ride on in majesty!

The last and fiercest strife is nigh: The Father on His sapphire throne Expects His own anointed Son.

Ride on! ride on in majesty!

In lowly pomp ride on to die; Bow Thy meek head to mortal pain; Then take, O G.o.d, Thy power, and reign.

--_H. H. Milman_.

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CALVARY

There is a green hill far away, Without a city wall, Where the dear Lord was crucified Who died to save us all.

We may not know, we cannot tell What pains He had to bear; But we believe it was for us He hung and suffered there.

He died that we might be forgiven, He died to make us good, That we might go at last to Heaven, Saved by His precious blood.

There was no other good enough To pay the price of sin; He only could unlock the gate Of Heaven, and let us in.

O, dearly, dearly has He loved, And we must love Him, too, And trust in His redeeming blood, And try His works to do.

--_Mrs. Cecil Frances Alexander_.

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THE VICTOR

Look, ye saints, the sight is glorious, See the "Man of Sorrows" now; From the fight returned victorious, Every knee to Him shall bow: Crown Him, crown Him; Crowns become the Victor's brow.

Crown the Saviour, angels, crown Him: Rich the trophies Jesus brings: In the seat of power enthrone Him, While the vault of Heaven rings: Crown Him, crown Him; Crown the Saviour "King of kings."