Chapter 32—Mary’s Offering
Six days before the passover, Jesus stopped at the house of Lazarus
in Bethany. He was on his way from Jericho to attend the feast of the
passover at Jerusalem, and chose this retreat for rest and refreshment.
Crowds of people passed on to the city, bearing the tidings that Jesus
was on his way to the feast, and that he would rest over the Sabbath at
Bethany. This information was received with great enthusiasm by the
people; for the news had spread everywhere of the wonderful works
wrought by Jesus, the last and most astonishing of which was the
resurrection of Lazarus from the dead. Many flocked to Bethany, some
from curiosity to see one who had been raised from the dead, and
others because their hearts were in sympathy with Jesus, and they
longed to look upon his face and hear his blessed words.
They returned with reports that increased the excitement of the
multitude. All were anxious to see and hear Jesus, whose fame as
a prophet had spread over all the land. There was a general buzz of
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inquiry as to who the wonderful Teacher was, from whence he had
come, if Lazarus who had been raised from the dead would accompany
him to Jerusalem, and if it was likely that the great prophet would be
crowned king at the feast. The attention of the people was entirely
engrossed in the subject of Jesus and his wondrous works. The priests
and rulers saw that they were losing their hold upon the minds of
the people, and their rage against Jesus was increased; they could
hardly wait for him to come and give them the desired opportunity of
gratifying their revenge and removing him forever from their way. As
the time passed, they became excited and restless, fearing that after all
Jesus might not come to Jerusalem. They were fearful that he had read
their purposes against him, and would therefore remain away. They
remembered how often he had divined their thoughts, exposed their
hidden motives, and baffled their murderous designs. They could illy
conceal their anxiety, and questioned among themselves, “What think
ye, that he will not come to the feast?”
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