BETHANY BETHPHAGE OLIVET. 697 rapid survey of the long history of Jerusalem. If it had existed 2177 years CHAPTER when overthrown by Titus, its whole age is now about 3964 years. Spreading XLIV. over almost the entire historic period of the human race, it has shared largely Bethany, in that history-and the end is not yet! It took half an hour to walk over Olivet to Bethany this morning, and the distance from the city, therefore, must be about two miles. This agrees with what John says: "Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off."1 The village is small, and appears never to have been large, but it is pleasantly situated near the south-eastern base of the mount, and has many fine trees about and above it. We, of course, looked at the remains of those old edifices which may have been built in the age of Constantine, and repaired or changed to a convent in the time of the Crusades. By the dim light of a taper we also descended very cautiously, by twenty-five slippery steps, to the reputed sepulchre of Lazarus, or El Azariyeh, as both tomb and village are now called. But I have no description of it to give, and no questions about it to ask. It is a wretched cavern, every way unsatisfactory, and almost disgusting. I have never been so painfully impressed as to-day with the importance of Beththe advice, not to allow mere topographical controversies to rob one of the phage. delightful and precious influences which these sacred scenes ought to afford. We not only disputed about the tomb of Lazarus, but fell into an earnest discussion in regard to other matters equally indifferent as whether Bethpage (of which no one now knows anything) was east or west of Bethany, according to the directions of our Lord to the two disciples in reference to the ass, or whether it might not have been on the north or south of the village. Then came the grand question about the true site of the "Ascension," whether in The this church at Et Tûr, or on the spur of Olivet, which lies over against Bethany to the north; and thus we walked through scenes suggestive of the most glorious anticipations to the Christian, with scarcely a single profitable reflection. Indeed, we came out of the Church of the Ascension with feelings of utter disgust. Ascension You have certainly fallen into a serious mistake. Olivet, including Geth- Olivet. semane on the west, and Bethany on the east of it, has witnessed the most affecting and the most stupendous scenes in the history of our blessed Redeemer. It was in connection with this mount that the God-man-the divine Logos-chose to reveal more of his human nature than anywhere else on the earth. How often, after the fatigues and temptations of the day in this Jesus at wicked and captious city, did he retire in the evening to Bethany to enjoy the Bethany hospitality and affectionate sympathy of Lazarus and his pious family! There he laid aside the awful character of prophet and teacher divine, to rest his hard-tried energies in the gentle amenities of social life; and such was the freedom of intercourse between these chosen friends, that Martha could even 1 John xi. 18. PART IV. Condescension of Jesus. Sacred Olivet. come to him with her little domestic troubles. Alas! how many Marthas there are, careful and troubled about many things; and how few Marys, anxious to sit at Jesus' feet and hear his word! As excuse for this Martha, we should remember that she was the responsible house-keeper, and that they belonged to the class of society in which the women of the family performed the household work with their own hands, and hence it was perfectly natural that she should claim the assistance of her younger sister. What a touching exhibition of lowliness and divine condescension does this reveal! He who is Lord of the universe selects, of choice, the humble poor for his dearest friends and most intimate associates! "He whom thou lovest is sick," was the only message sent by the sorrowing sisters. Most honourable distinction! He whom angels adored, and from heaven to earth hastened to serve, lavishes his richest love upon a poor man called Lazarus! The Son of God groaned in spirit at the sorrow of Mary and Martha. He wept over the grave of his friend. Ile did more. He asked of the Eternal Father, and received power to raise him from the grave, and, standing at the head of that dark cave, he cried with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come forth!" Wonderful voice! It startled the dull ear of Death, and the inexorable Grave heard, and gave up his prey. Here on Olivet the Christian learns to sing the song of victory over the king of terrors: "O Grave, where is thy victory? O Death, where is thy sting?" No wonder that much people of the Jews came six days after, not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead; nor that on the next day they should take branches of palm-trees and go forth to meet Jesus, crying, "Hosanna! blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord!"1 Again: it was on this mount, with the city and Temple in view, that our scenes on Lord sat down, and in private answered those three pregnant inquiries of the anxious disciples: When shall it come to pass that there shall not be left one stone of the Temple upon another? What shall be the sign of thy coming? and the sign of the end of the world ?2 And in response there fell from his sacred lips those wonderful revelations recorded in the 24th and 25th chapters of Matthew. It was from this same mount, also, that the compassionate Jesus beheld the city and wept over it, saying, "If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes." It was also unto Olivet that he retired to pray on that doleful night when "his sweat became as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” 4 Here he was betrayed with a kiss; was surrounded by soldiers with lanterns, and torches, and swords; was rudely seized, bound with cords as a malefactor, and led away to Caiaphas. And, finally, this favoured mount witnessed the glorious out-come and XLIV. consummation of this mystery of sorrow and suffering. It had been watered CHAPTER by his tears, had drunk his bloody sweat, and it must also behold his triumphant and glorious ascension to the right hand of the Majesty on high. The Olivet first heard the grand commission to the Church: "Go YE INTO ALL THE Ascension WORLD, AND PREACH THE GOSPEL TO EVERY CREATURE." He had led out his disciples as far as to Bethany, and, having thus spoken, "he lifted up his hands, and blessed them; and it came to pass that while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven."1 Men of Galilee! favoured of God above all the race, I would, oh! I would have been of your company on that triumphant morning, -with you to look steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, and with you to worship; or, better still, I would have been among the heavenly host that "Thronged his ehartot-wheels, And bore him to his throne; Then swept their golden harps, and sung, * Luke vzlv 50, 51. |