474
The Desire of Ages
The reports carried back to Jerusalem by the visitors to Bethany
increased the excitement. The people were eager to see and hear Jesus.
There was a general inquiry as to whether Lazarus would accompany
Him to Jerusalem, and if the prophet would be crowned king at the
Passover. The priests and rulers saw that their hold upon the people
was still weakening, and their rage against Jesus grew more bitter.
They could hardly wait for the opportunity of removing Him forever
from their way. As time passed, they began to fear that after all He
might not come to Jerusalem. They remembered how often He had
baffled their murderous designs, and they were fearful that He had now
read their purposes against Him, and would remain away. They could
ill conceal their anxiety, and questioned among themselves, “What
think ye, that He will not come to the feast?”
A council of the priests and Pharisees was called. Since the raising
of Lazarus the sympathies of the people were so fully with Christ that
it would be dangerous to seize upon Him openly. So the authorities
determined to take Him secretly, and carry on the trial as quietly as
possible. They hoped that when His condemnation became known,
the fickle tide of public opinion would set in their favor.
Thus they proposed to destroy Jesus. But so long as Lazarus
lived, the priests and rabbis knew that they were not secure. The very
existence of a man who had been four days in the grave, and who
had been restored by a word from Jesus, would sooner or later cause
a reaction. The people would be avenged on their leaders for taking
the life of One who could perform such a miracle. The Sanhedrin
therefore decided that Lazarus also must die. To such lengths do envy
and prejudice lead their slaves. The hatred and unbelief of the Jewish
leaders had increased until they would even take the life of one whom
infinite power had rescued from the grave.
While this plotting was going on at Jerusalem, Jesus and His
friends were invited to Simon’s feast. At the table the Saviour sat with
Simon, whom He had cured of a loathsome disease, on one side, and
Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead, on the other. Martha
served at the table, but Mary was earnestly listening to every word
from the lips of Jesus. In His mercy, Jesus had pardoned her sins,
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He had called forth her beloved brother from the grave, and Mary’s
heart was filled with gratitude. She had heard Jesus speak of His
approaching death, and in her deep love and sorrow she had longed