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57. Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a commandment, that, if any knew where he were, he should shew it, that they might take him.

These persecutors of the blessed Jesus are now awaiting the judgment day of God. God grant that we may not on that day be condemned because of our unbelief.

SECTION L.

Chap. xii. ver. 1—9.

MARY ANOINTETH CHRIST'S FEET.

1. Then Jesus, six days before the passover, came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.

His time was come, and he now freely puts himself in the road to his death. This love should be remembered. The soul that has found its own death, knows something of it.

2. There they made him a supper, and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.

Lazarus had been raised from the dead, and there can be no harm in supposing that St. John here shows us the glory and happiness of the state of believers after the resurrection, in his sitting at the table with Jesus. It is Christ's own description of that state, Luke xxii. 30. Martha, it is said, served. She is represented as only in the way; and that she had not yet attained. Look at this pattern. Serving is our present duty, and it is happiness enough on this side the grave.

3. Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.

4. Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him,

5. Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?

We may take occasion from hence to consider the motives of our actions, and how apt we are to deceive ourselves with specious pretences.

6. This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.

7. Then said Jesus, Let her alone; against the day of my burying hath she kept this.

Not that she intended it for that use, but it was so in effect; and this was said chiefly to give the disciples warning of his approaching death; an event of which they little thought.

8. For the poor always ye have with you, but me ye have not always.

This carries a command in it. Christ, though not present in person, always has his receivers in the world.

9. Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead.

Let us observe the effect of the miracle; it could not but excite curiosity in many, to see not only Jesus, but the man on whom it was wrought. There are in the Gospels, three instances of this kind, recorded as examples of faith, and dear respect to Christ. What acts of love have we showed him? What have we ever done to testify our gratitude to him? We may not have the costly ointment to bestow upon him, we cannot now wipe his feet with our hairs, but we may own him in his truths, honour him in our hearts, love him in his members, and throw ourselves at his feet in obedience, and the sacrifice of our wills to him. Let this be the improvement of this passage of Scripture. What it recommends to all is a devoted heart, from a lively faith. What it reproves in all, is the coldness of our affec

tions to Christ. We do little, because we love little; and we do not love because we do not believe how much has been forgiven us.

SECTION LI.

Chap. xii. ver. 10—22.

THE PEOPLE HONOUR CHRIST.

10. But the chief priests consulted that they might put Laza· rus also to death ;

Observe the stubbornness of unbelief, and to what desperate lengths it will carry men in wickedness. Millions have put to death for having been instances of the power of Jesus, and it is considered crime enough at all times.

11. Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.

This speaks to us. Let us consider the miracle, and see whether it will not hold us to faith in Jesus.

12. On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,

13. Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.

Blessed is the man that can say this. Hosanna in the heart, to him that cometh in the name of the Lord, is salvation.

14. And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written,

15. Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt.

In opposition to the pomp and pride of the world. Be

hold, therefore, the nature of his kingdom, and what it is that must prove us to be subjects of it. From the manger to the cross, he was the king of meekness and lowliness, and has given us a particular charge to learn them of him. Let each of us know, whoever we are, we must stoop lower; we are still short of our pattern. But why is it said, fear not? Because his coming in his own state and majesty would have been terrible to them, as it will be to the world, when he does so come.

16. These things understood not his disciples at the first but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him.

This is an admirable confession of John. The disciples were in the dark as well as others, about this lowly appearance of Christ. Let us not be discouraged if we do not know all at once. An humble faith refers itself wholly to God, and cannot but be improving in knowledge.

17. The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record.

18. For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle.

St. John takes notice again how wonderfully the miracle wrought on the minds of the people. I verily believe that thousands would desert Christ if it were not for his miracles. But yet they looked for nothing in him but a temporal king, and met him with worldly thoughts. We know better what we are to expect from him.

19. The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him.

Whenever the world does indeed go after Jesus, it will be a happier world than it is. Let us resolve with ourselves to go after him, and allow the world to go where it will.

20. And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast:

21. The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.

O! their desire was good. It is a happy time with us when we desire to see Jesus, in his bestowments of forgiveness, of grace, and of love; and if we know him in his salvation here, we shall see him in glory.

22. Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus.

As the gospel was to be tendered first to the Jews, Christ was not easy of access to men of other nations. This was the reason why the disciples would not introduce them to him, without his leave. Blessed be God, the case is happily altered, and the way to him is now open to all.

SECTION LII.

Chap. xii. ver. 23—30.

GOD BEARS TESTIMONY TO JESUS.

23. And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.

In his death, resurrection, ascension, sending the Holy Ghost, and consequent gathering of all nations to him.

24. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.

Christ's death, like a corn of wheat, (take notice, not any grain in general,) should have its increase in the conversion of men to him in all parts of the world. But he goes a step farther, and under the same similitude shows the nature of true conversion.

25. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.

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