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Daughters of God
was not permitted this mournful privilege.... Her heart would sink
as she recalled the words in which He had foretold the very scenes
that were then taking place.... Must she give up her faith that Jesus
was the Messiah? Must she witness His shame and sorrow, without
even the privilege of ministering to Him in His distress? She saw
His hands stretched upon the cross; the hammer and the nails were
brought, and as the spikes were driven through the tender flesh, the
heart-stricken disciples bore away from the cruel scene the fainting
form of the mother of Jesus.—
The Desire of Ages, 741-744 (1898)
.
[In His suffering] the eyes of Jesus wandered over the multitude
that had collected together to witness His death, and He saw at the
foot of the cross John supporting Mary, the mother of Christ. She
had returned to the terrible scene, not being able to longer remain
away from her Son. The last lesson of Jesus was one of filial love.
He looked upon the grief-stricken face of His mother, and then upon
John; said He, addressing the former: “Woman, behold thy son!”
Then, to the disciple: “Behold thy mother!” John well understood
the words of Jesus, and the sacred trust which was committed to him.
He immediately removed the mother of Christ from the fearful scene
[57]
of Calvary. From that hour he cared for her as would a dutiful son,
taking her to his own home. Oh, pitiful, loving Saviour! Amid all His
physical pain, and mental anguish, He had a tender, thoughtful care
for the mother who had borne Him. He had no money to leave her, by
which to insure her future comfort, but He was enshrined in the heart
of John, and He gave His mother unto the beloved disciple as a sacred
legacy. This trust was to prove a great blessing to John, a constant
reminder of His beloved Master.—
The Spirit of Prophecy 3:160, 161
(1878)
.
Mary and Martha
This chapter is based on
Luke 10:38-42
;
John 11
.
Jesus frequently stayed at the home of Mary and Martha, and their
brother Lazarus. Martha was often cumbered with the cares of daily
duties, while Mary sought first the words of Jesus
.
Jesus had often found the rest that His weary human nature required
at the house of Lazarus, in Bethany. His first visit there was when