Christ is entertained at Bethany.

149

cxliv.

And oh, what shall we do, if in that dreadful day he should bring SECT. us forth as the helpless prisoners of his justice, and command us to be slain in his presence! How can we withstand his Ver. power! or to the horns of what altar shall we flee for sanctuary? 27 O Lord, our flesh trembleth for fear of thee, and we are afraid of thy judgments; (Psal. cxix. 120.) May we never be the miserable objects of them; but having faithfully served thee here, may that be to us a day of honour, reward, and triumph, which shall be to every presumptuous rebel a day of shame and terror, of dreadful execution and eternal destruction!

SECT. CXLV.

Christ is entertained at Bethany and his feet anointed by Mary. The Jewish rulers contrive to kill Lazarus. Mat. XXVI. 613. Mark XIV. 3---9. John XII. 1---11.

JOHN XII. 1. THEN Jesus, six

days before the

passover, came to Be.

thany, where Lazarus dead, whom he raised

was, which had been

from the dead.

MAT. XXVI. 6.

Now when Jesus was
of Simon the leper,
[Max XIV.3.1

Bethany, in the house

JOHN XII. 1.

John

THEN Jesus came, six days before the passover, SECT.
to Bethany, which was a village (as was said cxlv.
before, John xi. 18, sect. cxl.) that lay in the
neighbourhood of Jerusalem, where the abode of XII. 1.
Lazarus was, who had been dead and buried,
[and] whom he lately by an amazing miracle had
raised from the dead.

Now at this time, when Jesus was in Mat.
in Bethany, where, by his frequently resorting XXVI.6
thither, he was well known, and had many
friends that very much rejoiced to see him;
as he was in the house of Simon the leper.

a When Jesus was in Bethany.] Few passages in the Harmony have perplexed me more than this. I was long of opinion with Origen and Theophylact, defended by Le Clerc and Dr Whitby, and expecially by Dr. Lightfoot (Harm. N. Test. §71, 80), and Mr, Whiston (in his View of Harmony, p. 128, 129), that the story recorded by Matthew (chap xxvi. 6-13.) and Mark (chap. xiv. 3-9.) was different from that in John: but, on maturer consideration, it appears to me more probable, that Matthew and Mark should have introduced this story a little out of its place, -that Lazarus, if he made this entertainment (which is not expressly said by John) should have made use of Simon's house, as more convenient for it,-and that Mary should have poured this ointment on Christ's head and body, as well as on his feet;-than that within the compass of four days Christ should have been twice

T

In

anointed with so costly a perfume; and that
the same fault should be found with the
action, and the same value set on the oint-
ment, and the same words used in defence
of the woman; and all this in the presence
of many of the same persons: all which im -
probable particulars must be admitted, if
the stories be considered as different.-But,
after all, I can assert nothing confidently;
for there is no impossibility in the thing
taken cither way.

b. In the house of Simon the leper.] It is
not to be thought that he was now a leper ;
for in this case he would not have been
suffered to live in a town, nor would the
Jews have come to an entertainment at his
house: but either he was once a leper,
and had been cured by Jesus, or else the
name was given to the family, as some
considerable person in it had been formerly
a leper.

c When

124 Jesus having caused the stone to be removed, calls Lazarus forth.

John

SECT. ceased, says to him, Lord, he has been dead so him that was dead, cxl. long, that he now smells in an offensive manner; by this time he stinksaith unto him, Lord, for he has been [here] no less than part of four eth: for he hath been XI. 39. days, this being the fourth since his interment. dead four days. 40 (Compare ver. 17.) Jesus says to her, Why 40 Jesus saith unto dost thou object against what I direct? Did I her, Said I not unto thee, that if thou wouldst not say unto thee, that if thou wouldst believe, believe, thou shouldst thou shouldst see the glory of God remarkably dis- see the glory of God? played in a work of sigual power and mercy? 41 Then they took away the stone from the mouth of the tomb where the deceased lay.

41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid.

And

Jesus lift up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee, that thou

hast heard me.

42 And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of

And when it was removed, Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee, that thou hast graciously heard me in those secret groanings of soul which I have been pouring forth in 42 thy presence: And indeed I knew that thou always hearest me, and art most ready to answer all my petitions; but I now speak [thus,] because the people which stand of the multitude that is standing by, that they, by, I said it, that they comparing what they hear with what they are may believe that thou now to behold, may have increasing and more effectual engagements to believe that thou hast

sent me.

hast sent me,

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

Lazarus, come forth.

44 And he that was dead came forth, bound

43 And having said these words, he cried with a
loud voice, suitable to the majestic part which
he was now acting, and the dominion he had
even in the empire of death itself, as well as
that he might be heard by all the multitude that
44 were present, Lazarus, come forth. And such
an almighty energy went along with his word, hand and foot with
that immediately, according to his command, grave-clothes: and his
he that was dead came forth, bound (as the dead face was bound about
usually were) about [his] feet and hands with with a napkin. Jesus
grave-clothes, or with several rolls and foldings
of linen that were wrapt about him, but which
were so far loosened by the power of Christ as
to permit him to move; and his face was also
bound about with a napkin. And Jesus, on his

the stone lay on the top of the cave, and that
the corpse was let down with cords; for
then Lazarus could not, without a far-
ther miracle, have ascended of himself.
It is much more reasonable to believe
the entrance was at the side of the sepul-
chre. Mr. Maundrel tells us (in his Journey
to Jerusalem, p. 79) that the ruins of La-
zarus's house are still shewn, and not far
from thence his sepulchre, into which there
is a descent of twenty-five steep stairs,
which lead into two small rooms, in the
farther of which the body is said to have
been laid, But one cannot much depend

coming

saith

on the genuineness of such antiquities. See Sands's Travels, p. 196.

He has been dead so long that he now smells, &c.] The word of has the same ambiguity with this which I have used, and seems rather more decent than that in our translation, though the meaning is plainly the same.--Martha's mind seems to have been in a painful struggle, tossed with a variety of passions, which prevented a perfect consistency in her behaviour.

i His face was bound about with a napkin.] If the Jews buried as the Egyptians did,

the

Reflections on Christ's raising Lazarus from the dead.

him, and let him go.

125

John

saith unto them, Loose coming forth in this confined posture, says to SECT. them that stood by, Unbind him, and let him exl. go: for nothing more was needful to be done in a miraculous way, and he had strength enough XI. 44. to walk, his health and vigour being perfectly recovered with his life.

45 Then many of

the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.

46 But some of them

went their ways to the Pharisees, and told

them at things Je

sus had done.

Thus was this illustrious miracle completely 45 and publicly accomplished: and such was the effect of it, that many of the Jews therefore, who had come to visit Mary, and beheld what Jesus did, were so affected with this marvellous instance of his power, that they believed on him as the Messiah. But some of them were so obsti- 46 nate and perverse, that they went away to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done, on purpose that they might inflame them, and stir them up to take some method to prevent his growing influence among the people.

IMPROVEMENT.

25

LET us by faith continually regard Jesus (as his discourses and Ver. actions concur to represent him) as the resurrection and the life; believing on this glorious specimen here given of it, that he can, and will finally cause all that are in the graves to hear his voice, and to come forth, (John v. 28, 29.) A most delightful thought, which we should often apply both to ourselves and to our pious friends! Let the consideration, that they are to arise in 24 the resurrection at the last day, moderate our sorrows for their removal, and forbid our mourning as others that have no hope; (1 Thess. iv. 13.) Were a resurrection on earth expected, though at the distance of several years, we should consider them only as persons absent on a long journey, and expect their return with patience and cheerfulness: but oh, how much more certain is the resurrection of the just than the issue of any of our journeys or expectations in life!

We often go, in our thoughts at least, to the grave to weep; but 31 let us not forget to raise our contemplations higher, even to Jesus, 35 who here expressed such tender sentiments of compassion, and wept when he saw the tears of others, though he knew he was go

the face was not covered with it, but it only went round the forehead and under the chin, so that on his returning to life be might easily see his way out of the sepulchre.

Went away to the Pharisees, &c.]

We
o o

ing

have in this a most amazing instance of
incorrigible hardness of heart, and a dread-
ful confirmation of our Lord's remark, If
they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither
will they be persuaded, though one rose from
the dead. Luke xvi. 31. sect. cxxv.

126

cxl.

Reflections on Christ's raising Lazarus from the dead.

SECT. ing to wipe them away by restoring that friend whom they laments ed.-He afflicted himself, and it may be proper for us sometimes to Ver, do it, and to hold down our thoughts to those views of things which 33 may give us pain and regret; if that attention be so adjusted and attempered as only to produce a sadness of the countenance that may improve the heart. (Eccles. vii. 3.)

39

Let the modesty with which our Lord conducted this grand and solemn scene teach us to avoid all mean transports of self-ap41, 42 plause, and all fondness for ostentation and parade. Like Jesus, let us in all our ways acknowledge God, and maintain a continual dependance on his influence, to be sought by fervent prayer; and then we may go forth to every duty with a courageous and cheerful assurance that he will carry us honourably and comfortably 40 through it. Let us but stedfastly believe, and we shall see the glory of God: he will manifest his power for our help; and when our case appears to be remediless, then is the time for his almighty

43, 44

hand to save.

Let us adore and trust in him who was armed with so divine a power as to be able to rescue the prisoners of death, and to recover 26 the trophies of the all-conquering and devouring grave. And if we are true believers, let us learn to take our part in the triumph with a joyful assurance, that though we putrify in the dust, and 39 after the skin worms devour our bodies, yet in our flesh we shall at length see God. (Job xix. 26.)

It was surely a happy time that succeeded all the lamentations of these affectionate mourners. With what mutual congratulations and unutterable endearments did Lazarus and his sisters behold each other! With what humble gratitude and adoration did they all prostrate themselves at the feet of their Almighty Saviour! But who can conceive the greater transports which shall run through the whole redeemed world at the resurrection day, when piety and friendship shall be perfected, and those who were dearest to each other, both in the bonds of nature and of grace, shall spring up together to an immortal undivided life! In the mean time, let us trust our friends with him (with whom, if we are Christians indeed, we have trusted our souls), believing that the separations he appoints are prudent and kind, and that even our prayers for their recovery are denied in mercy.

SECT.

Reflections on Mary's anointing the feet of Christ.

JOHN XII. 9. Much

they might see Laza

rus also, whom he had

153

cxlv.

action also which this pions and affectionate wo SECT.
man has now performed, shall be inserted in the
history of my life, and be spoken of with honour Mat
for a memorial of her friendship and affection XIV. 8.
to me so that her name shall be embalmed
in such a manner, as to be far more fragrant
than the perfume which she has poured forth
on my head and my feet. (Compare Eccles.
vii. 1.)

Now these things passed at a public entertain- John people of the Jews ment: a great multitude of the Jews therefore, who XII. 9. therefore knew that he had been dubious whether Jesus would come was there: and they came, not for Jesus' up to the passover or not (compare John xi. 56, sake only, but that sect cxli.), quickly got intelligence of it, and knew that he was there in Bethany; and they came thither in crowds from Jerusalem, and that indeed not only on account of Jesus, who had been retired for some time, but also out of curiosity, that they might see Lazarus, whom he had lately raised from the dead, who now appeared publicly with him.

raised from the dead.

10 But the chief

priests consulted, that

Jus also to death;

But the chief priests, and other members of 10 they might put Laza- the sanhedrim, were filled on this occasion with such rage and envy, that, as they had already resolved on the death of Jesus, they consulted also how they might find some method to kill Lazarus, either by public prosecution or private 11 Because that by assassination: For they well knew that many 11 reason of him many of of the Jew's deserted them, and went away to and believed on Jesus. Bethany on his account, and were so powerfully struck with the convincing evidence of so astonishing a miracle, that they believed on Jesus; and while such a monument of his power and goodness continued they were afraid lest more should revolt to him.

the Jews went away,

IMPROVEMENT.

John

We see how happily Mary improved by sitting at the feet of Jesus, and what evidence she gave of her having chosen the better part. (Compare Luke x. 39, 42) Like her, let us with humble. thankfulness bestow our very best on him, who has given us that XII. 3. and every thing else. She gladly poured out her choicest ointment on him, whose name is to every true believer far more fragrant than

Who now appeared publicly with him.] Perhaps, after so extraordinary a series of providences as Lazarus had passed trough, he might choose to spend some time in retirement and extraordinary de

votion; and it is natural to suppose he
would endeavour to avoid the importunity
of crowds, who out of curiosity would be
pressing in upon him, perhaps with some
impertinent inquiries.

a Were