from above, he prophesied that the Saviour should die for the nation, and for the world. It was fitting that the Aaronic priesthood, having completed its course and about to be superseded by the one great High Priest consecrated forevermore, should with its expiring breath announce the final sacrifice which it now prepared to offer, and the eternal mediation which it so long prefigured. The Evil Spirit was present in that Council, and dictated its decision. The Holy Spirit was present in that Council, and set his seal to its decision.

The Sanhedrin furthermore published an edict that any one knowing where the Nazarene might be found, should give information, in order to his arrest. This led ultimately to his betrayal. In immediate effect it was an interdict against harboring him, and thus a snare for the family at Bethany. For the Sadducees, with Caiaphas their leader, denied the doctrine of the resurrection, and concerning it engaged in fierce disputes with the Pharisees; and, as Lazarus was now a living witness against them, causing many adherents to apostatize, they finally became so exasperated that they sought to put him also to death. Thus extreme and bitter disagreement brought around agreement, and a fusion of the hostile parties in their criminal purpose. And hence it is that the Sadducees now for the first time come prominently and actively forward in the gospel history.

Jesus would not expose his friends at Bethany, nor as yet himself, to the hostility of the hierarchy. He therefore promptly and privately retired with the twelve to Ephraim, in the northeast of Judea, near the upper extremity of the Wilderness, and aside from the frequented highways. There for about a fortnight he tarried in silence and seclusion with his disciples.101

PART EIGHTH

His Final Presentation

T

XXIII

THE ROYAL PROGRESS

HE silent sojourn at Ephraim marks an important epoch in the story of the Nazarene. His

evangelical ministry was completed. There were yet healings and teachings, but they were incidental. The kingdom had been certified as at hand; henceforth the dominating intent is the establishment of the kingdom. He goes in lowly yet royal state to Jerusalem, the capital, to the Temple, the capitol, and peacefully, but formally and distinctly offers himself to the Jewish nation assembled for the Passover as its Messianic King, and is rejected. The royal progress, the proffer and rejection occupy a little more than two weeks, and are the subjects of the present pericope.

In the early spring, about the middle of March, A. D. 30, Jesus with his twelve disciples, left Ephraim, and went directly northward through Samaria into Galilee. It was his intention to present himself in Jerusalem during the pending passover week, the first in April. Also he intended that his formal progress thither should be from Capernaum. There were many reasons for this which are obvious. One is that his mother, and her sisters, Salome and Mary wife of Clopas, were going to this Passover, and it was fitting that he, and their sons among the apostles should be with them. 102

While on the way northward, he was met by ten

lepers, who standing afar off lifted up painfully their husky voices, and cried out, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. Prompt as an echo came the reply, Go, shew yourselves to the priests. As they went, they were cleansed. One, a Samaritan, returned to him shouting, and fell on his face at his feet, giving him thanks. Then Jesus sadly asked:

"Were there not ten cleansed ? Where are the nine? Have none returned to glorify God, save this alien ?" This last miracle in Galilee, at the outset of the new movement, is very significant. His own people turn away. Hereafter he must look for acceptance to aliens from the commonwealth of Israel. Hence the profound

pathos of that question, Where are the nine?

As he journeyed onward, did he not stop at Nain, to rest in the home of the widow and her son? May be he spoke a gentle word to the woman who had been a sinner; and may be he asked Simon the Pharisee another question. Surely he went to Nazareth. He would see once more the house where he had lived for thirty years, the carpenter's shop where he had silently worked, and the tomb of Joseph who had guarded his childhood. He would climb once more the high hill, and gaze on the landscape so full of natural beauty and historical glory. Here the farewell lingered. Did he not pass through Cana, and greet the young couple whose marriage he had graced and exalted as water to wine? Then he came to Capernaum, where, after his four months' absence, his mother embraced him.

While the caravan with which he would go to the Passover was preparing, some Pharisees, who knew of the defection of Galilee and the menace of Jerusalem,