"Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a Publican.* The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed thus: "God! I thank thee that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week; I give tithes of all that I possess.' But the Publican, standing afar off, would not so much as lift up his eyes to heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, 'God be merciful to me, a sinner!' I tell you this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for every one that exalteth himself shall be humbled, and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted." The Publicans in Judæa were not persons who kept taverns, or public houses, but they who collected the taxes. JESUS BLESSES LITTLE CHILDREN. THE RICH YOUNG MAN. (Mark x. 13-27; Luke xviii. 28-30.) THEN they brought little children unto him, that he might touch them; and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, "Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein." And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them. And when he was gone forth into the road, there came one running, who kneeled to him, and asked him, "Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?" And Jesus said unto him, "Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is God. Thou knowest the commandments: do not commit adultery; do not kill; do not steal; do not bear false witness; defraud not; honour thy father and thy mother." And he answered and said unto him, "Master, all these I have observed from my youth up." Then Jesus, looking upon him, loved him, and said unto him, "One thing thou lackest; go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor; and thou shalt have treasure in heaven; and come, take up thy cross, and follow me.” But he was sad at that answer, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. Then Jesus, looking around him, saith to his disciples, "How hard will it be for those who have riches to enter into the kingdom of God!" The disciples were astonished at his words, but Jesus answered again, and said unto them, "How hard is it for those who trust in riches, to enter into the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God." And they were astonished beyond measure, saying among themselves, "Who then can be saved?" But Jesus, looking upon them, said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God, for with God all things are possible." Then Peter said, "Lo, we have left all and followed thee." And he said unto them, "Verily I say unto you, there is no man, who hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake, who shall not receive manifold more in this world, and in the world to come life everlasting." THE RAISING OF LAZARUS. Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the village of Martha and her sister Mary. (It was that Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.) His sisters therefore sent to Jesus, saying, "Lord, he whom thou lovest is sick.” When Jesus heard that, he said, "This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified thereby." Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. When, therefore, he heard that he was sick, he abode two days in the place where he was; and then he said to his disciples, "Let us go into Judæa again." His disciples say ' unto him, "Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again?" Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If a man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world; but if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light." * The glory of God and of Christ was shewn forth by the miracle which Christ wrought in bringing Lazarus to life. |