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The Spirit of Prophecy Volume 3
deceived, surprised and betrayed into the hands of a murderous mob.
A year before, Jesus had told the disciples that he had chosen twelve,
but that one was a devil; and now his words to Judas on the occasion
of the passover, showing that this treachery was fully known to his
Master, would strengthen the faith of his true followers during his
humiliation. And when Judas should have come to his dreadful end,
they would remember the woe which Jesus had pronounced upon the
betrayer.
The withdrawal of Judas was a relief to all present. The Saviour’s
face lighted immediately, and the oppressive shadow was lifted from
the disciples, as they saw the peace of Heaven return to the pale, worn
countenance of their Lord. Jesus had much to say to his beloved disci-
ples that he did not wish to say in the presence of the multitude, who
could not understand the sacred truths he was about to unfold. Even
the disciples could not fully understand them till after the resurrection
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should have taken place.
Looking upon his faithful followers, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of
man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God be glorified in him,
God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify
him.” He then informed them of his approaching separation from
them. The ardent Peter could not rest while the matter remained in
uncertainty. He inquired, “Lord, whither goest thou?” Jesus answered,
“Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow
me afterward.” But Peter’s interest was intensely roused, and he urged
Jesus to explain his full meaning, saying, “Lord, why cannot I follow
thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake.” Jesus answered
sorrowfully, “Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I
say unto thee, The cock shall not crow till thou hast denied me thrice.”
Then, looking with pitying love upon his little flock, so soon to be left
without a shepherd, he sought to draw their minds from the perplexity
into which his statements had thrown them, and said tenderly, “Let not
your heart be troubled; ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my
Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so I would have told
you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place
for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself; that where I
am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye
know.”