Walks and Words of Jesus Part 18

Said I not unto thee, that if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of G.o.d?

Then they took away the stone _from the place_ where the dead was laid: And Jesus lifted up _his_ eyes, and said,

Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said _it_, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.

And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice,

Lazarus, come forth.

And 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.

Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him. But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done. Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles. If we let him thus alone, all _men_ will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.

And one of them, _named_ Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; and not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of G.o.d that were scattered abroad. Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death.

Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went thence unto a country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there continued with his disciples.

And it came to pa.s.s, when the time was come that he should be received up, he steadfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem, and sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him. And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem. And when his disciples James and John saw _this_, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? But he turned, and rebuked them, and said,

Ye know not what manner of spirits ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save _them_.

And they went to another village. And it came to pa.s.s, that, as they went in the way, a certain _man_ said unto him, Lord I will follow thee withersoever thou goest. And Jesus said unto him,

Foxes have holes, and birds of the air _have_ nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay _his_ head.

And he said unto another,

Follow me.

But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. Jesus said unto him,

Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of G.o.d.

And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. And Jesus said unto him,

No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of G.o.d.

CHAPTER XL.

SEVENTY DISCIPLES SENT OUT.

After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come. Therefore said he unto them,

The harvest truly _is_ great, but the laborers _are_ few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth laborers into his harvest. Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves. Carry neither purse nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way.

And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace _be_ to this house. And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again. And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the laborer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house. And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you: and heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of G.o.d is come nigh unto you.

But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say, Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of G.o.d is come nigh unto you. But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city.

Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you. And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to h.e.l.l. He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.

And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. And he said unto them,

I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said,

I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight. All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and _he_ to whom the Son will reveal _him_.

And he turned him unto _his_ disciples, and said privately,

Blessed _are_ the eyes which see the things that ye see: for I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen _them_; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard _them_.

And behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said unto him,

What is written in the law? how readest thou?

And he answering, said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy G.o.d with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself. And he said unto him,

Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.

But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbor? And Jesus answering, said,

A certain _man_ went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded _him_, and departed, leaving _him_ half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he pa.s.sed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked _on him_, and pa.s.sed by on the other side.

But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compa.s.sion _on him_, and went to _him_, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave _them_ to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbor unto him that fell among thieves?

And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him,

Go, and do thou likewise.

CHAPTER XLI.

MARTHA'S ENTERTAINMENT--FORM OF PRAYER--DUMB DEVIL.

Now it came to pa.s.s, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.

And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. But Martha was c.u.mbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her,