his
eyes let us see Jesus' relation to it, and with his ears listen to the
Master's words there spoken.

[Illustration: BETHANY _Old Engraving_ Page 120]

As he opens the door we see a family of wealth, refinement, hospitality
and affection. Its members are of kindred spirit with him: and so would
be attracted to him, and he to them. But there was a special bond of
union. "Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus." Such is the
tender passing remark of John who elsewhere calls himself "the disciple
whom Jesus loved." These four form a group of special objects of
Christ's affection. They ardently loved Him. We may suppose that John's
relation to the family of Bethany was closer than that of any other
disciple. This fitted him to make us familiar with their characters, and
many incidents of their home.

John was with Jesus in Bethany in Peraea, when there came the sad, brief,
confiding message from Mary and Martha, "Lord, behold, he whom Thou
lovest is sick." Doubtless it touched the heart of the apostle as well
as that of his Master, whose response he records: "This sickness is not
unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be
glorified thereby." We are reminded of John's own words concerning the
change of water into wine: "This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana
of Galilee, and manifested forth His glory."

Jesus' plan for Lazarus included a delay of two days in Bethany of
Peraea. Meanwhile His heart went out toward Bethany in Judaea. So did
John's. But, though Jesus tarried, it can be said, as on another
occasion, "He Himself knew what He would do." While John was wondering,
waiting and watching, perhaps he remembered how the nobleman's son was
healed in Capernaum when Jesus was in Cana, and thought it possible that
the messenger would be told to say to the sisters, "Thy brother liveth."

When at last Jesus proposed to His disciples that they all go to Judaea,
John's love may have contended for a moment with fear, as they
protested, because of danger from His enemies: but it was for a moment
only. When Jesus said, "Let us go unto him," we almost wonder that it
was not John the loving, nor Peter the bold, but Thomas the sometimes
unready, that said concerning Jesus, "Let us also go that we may die
with Him." But we imagine that John was the readiest to go, and kept
the closest to his Master in the pathway to Bethany in Judaea.

"Our friend Lazarus sleepeth," said Jesus. Though all