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THE KING’S BUSINESS
sulted, (took counsel) that they might put iMzarus to death, (;) because that by rea son of Him many of the Jews went away (’a d d ,/ and believed on Jesus.” The resurrection of Lazarus from the dead instead of bringing the priests to faith simply increased their enmity against the Lord Jesus. They were determined not to believe, and as they saw that the resurrec tion of Lazarus, was leading others to faith in Jesus they even went so far as to plot the death of Lazarus. They had reached that pitch of enmity against the Lord Jesus that they were willing even to put an innocent man to death, if that were necessary to keep others from believing in Him. Religious hatred will stop at noth ing, not even at murder. Very naturally when men saw Lazarus and were given clearly to understand §by competent wit nesses that he had been actually dead and buried four days and then that Jesus had raised him, they went away and believed on Jesus. And as for Judas Iscariot he was stung to the quick by the gentle re buke of Jesus (Matt. 26:14). He hurries to Jesus’ enemies to strike a bargain with them for the betrayal of His Lord, and he sells his Lord to them for thirty pieces of silver. He seeks to get back part of the money he had lost by Mary’s not putting the three hundred pieces into the bag. He reaches the priests just as they are plot ting Jesus’ destruction, and the bargain is soon closed (Matt. 26:13-16). Contrast these two pictures, Mary spending her all to anoint her Saviour for His burial, Judas selling Him for a paltry sum of money. Shall all the saints do so? Matt. 26:29; Luke 22:30. Was there communion in giving this sup per? v. 2 . (“they”). What part had Simon? Matt. 26:6; Martha? v. 2; Lazarus? 1:7; 11:45; Mary? Matt. 28:9. On whom is saintly interest centered? Matt. 17:8.
his enjoyment, but Mary was wholly taken up with Jesus Himself, and she is the one, not Martha, not Lazarus, of whom the Lord said, “Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.” It would be pleasing to our Lord if we too in this' busy, -bustling age, and this age too of spiritual feasts, were more taken up,with Himself than with either our service or our expe riences. Mary’s love was utterly forgetful of itself, forgetful of surroundings, uncal culating of cost, regardless of criticism. It poured itself out utterly; The fragrance of it-has filled the world even as the fra grance of her ointment filled the house. Whence this love? Mary had understood a message that apparently no one else grasped, certainly none of the Apostles as yet. She understood that Jesus was about to die for her (v. 7, R. V.)., v, 9. “Much people of the Jews there fore knew (The common people therefore of the Jews learned) that He was there: and they came, not for Jesus’ sake only, hut that they might see Lazarus also, whom He had raised from the dead." While Jesus was the supreme attraction that drew the common people to Bethany, He w^g not the only attraction. While He was there Lazarus also was there, and they came not only to see the wonderful Jesus, they came also to see a resurrected man. They were moved more by curiosity than by an intelligent faith. vs. 10, 11, “But the chief priests con M ary’s M em orial (M att. 2 6 :1 3 ). ( 1 ) T h e C om m union of Saints, vs. 1, 2. Where was Bethany located? 11:18. What was the date of the supper? v. 1. At whose house was it spread? Mark 14:3. What notable person was present? v. 2. Who else ate and drank after rising from the dead? Acts 10:41.
LESSON OUTLINE
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