From the Feast of Dedication, December, A. D. 29, to the Anointing at Bethany, April, A. D. 30; 4 Months.

I. GENERAL STATEMENT OF HIS WORK (John 10:40-42). After the Jews took up stones to stone Jesus he went to the east of the river Jordan, into the country of Perea. The seventy had gone through the Perean towns before this into which he was now about to go. The people in Perea were in a more advanced state of preparation than were the Galileans for his instruction.

II. THE DISCOURSE ON PRAYER (Luke n:1-13). Some of the discourses which Jesus had delivered in Galilee were repeated in Perea with slight variations. While the Lord's Prayer was given with the Sermon on the Mount, it is on this occasion given again; but instead of following it immediately with exhortations to forgiveness he illustrates the value of importunity in prayer, by the parable of the midnight petitioner. This should be our constant cry as Christians, " Lord, teach us to pray." Jesus had power through prayer and the disciples desired that he would teach them how to pray, so that they might have more power.

III. AT MEAT IN THE PHARISEE'S HOUSE (Luke 11:37-54). Here also Jesus defied the prejudices of the Pharisees and rabbinical law by neglecting to observe to the letter their rules in regard to washing before eating. This occurred in the house of a Pharisee who had asked him home to dinner. When the Pharisees marveled, Jesus repeated his former teaching on the subject of moral cleanliness by reproving them for their foolish attention to the petty details of ceremonies, while they neglected the living realities which these ceremonies intended to teach.

IV. WARNING AGAINST SPIRIT OF PHARISAISM (Luke 12:1-59). Here also the Teacher's heart was filled with compassion as he saw the multitudes hungry for spiritual food flocking to him. Jesus teaches his followers the lesson of trust. He knows the sparrows' ways and cares for them, and his children are of much more value than many sparrows. Jesus was called one day to settle between two brothers a dispute regarding an inheritance. He rebuked the spirit of covetousness which had prompted the request, and spoke the parable of the "Foolish Rich Man," who, when his harvest was abundant, instead of sharing his fullness with the poor or planning some worthy work with his enlarged opportunities, resolved that he would build larger barns. Then God said to him, "This night is thy soul required of thee." Jesus in giving instruction further against worldliness says:" Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

V. INSTRUCTION CONCERNING CALAMITIES (Luke 13:1-9). As he had warned the people individually of covetousness so he here speaks solemn warnings which relate to Israel as a nation. He appeals to them to repent in order to avoid punishment, and gives them fuller instructions by using the parable of the " Barren Fig Tree." God had planted the Jewish nation in favored soil and had nurtured it carefully; but when he looked at the appointed time for fruit, instead of finding figs he found a barren tree, burdening and hurting the soil.

VI. WOMAN HEALED ON THE SABBATH (Luke 13:10-17). When Jesus was teaching in the synagogue on the Sabbath day he healed a woman who had been afflicted for eighteen years. The ruler of the synagogue made objections to this act of mercy on the Sabbath day. Jesus again repeats his instruction that acts of mercy are never out of place and should always be performed.

VII. QUESTION WHETHER FEW ARE SAVED (Luke 13:22-30). Jesus was passing through many cities and villages, teaching the people, when some one asked him this important question. He takes this opportunity to teach us that it requires much self-denial and sacrifice to enter the strait gate, and because it costs so much to enter the door many will be found on the outside knocking for admittance after the door is shut.

VIII. THE WARNING AGAINST HEROD (Luke 13:31-35). One day as he was teaching certain Pharisees came to him and advised him to leave the country on pain of being slain by Herod. (This was in the country over which the Herod ruled who had put John the Baptist to death.) After Jesus answered these people directly he added with sadness: "It cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem," and made a sympathetic appeal of the strong desire he had to save the people in the city of Jerusalem.

IX. LESSONS AT THE PHARISEE'S TABLE (Luke 14:1-24). On an earlier Sabbath Jesus had healed a woman who had been infirm for eighteen years, and now on this Sabbath he healed a man of dropsy. He was burdened by the false teachers, and in order, if possible, to arouse them to some sense of their spiritual lack and danger he delivered the parable of the "Great Supper." The Jews were bidden to this feast by the prophets, and they did not realize at this time that by their moral blindness they were refusing to go in while the feast was spread. Jesus taught them that, although they refused to enter and enjoy the feast, it would be eaten and enjoyed by others.

X. COUNTING THE COST (Luke 14:25-35). Jesus here uses a practical illustration in teaching the multitude that not only sacrifice must be made to enter Christ's service, but that continuous self-denial is necessary to follow him in service.

XI. THREE PARABLES CONCERNING THE LOST (Luke 15:1-32). When Jesus reproved the haughty rulers of the people, the publicans who were not used to the compassion of a rabbi, hearing of his reproofs of those from whom they endured so much contempt, gathered about him in large numbers to hear his teaching. This was offensive to the Pharisees and scribes and they said: "This man receiveth sinners and eateth with them." Jesus spoke in reply the three parables of glad tidings which have ever been a comfort to the sin-sick soul.

1. The Lost Sheep. The Pharisees said: "There is joy before God when those who provoke him perish from the world." Over against this Jesus puts the word: "There is joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth." The heavenly Shepherd seeks far and long to find the one that has wandered away from the fold.

2. The Lost Coin. In this parable the Savior lays emphasis upon diligent search for the lost soul. The silver was lost in the house and the woman searched diligently, and continued until it was found. If a woman does this when a coin is lost will not God search diligently when a soul is lost, and bid the angels rejoice when the lost is found?

3. The Lost Son. This parable is more comprehensive than the other two. In this case that which was lost was not a sheep or a coin, but a man. This young man had spent his inheritance in riotous living until in poverty and degradation he becomes a swine-herder in a foreign land. God shows his compassion in accepting the sinner who has wandered far away from his Father's house and teaches the selfishness of the Pharisees who are represented by the elder brother who objected to the mercy offered the wandering boy on his return.

XII. HOW TO USE RICHES (Luke 16:1-31). "He that is faithful in very little is faithful also in much, and he that is unrighteous in little is also unrighteous in much. Ye cannot serve God and mammon." These truths are clearly set forth in the parable of the unjust steward. He further emphasizes this lesson by the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. The rich man fared sumptuously by an improper use of the money that he had at his command, through which he had opportunities to assist the poor. Lazarus was at his door for help, but his suffering was not relieved by the rich man; but when the rich man died he opened his eyes in hell and received his punishment, while Lazarus was rejoicing in the bosom of Abraham.

XIII. POWER OF FAITH AND DUTY OF HUMILITY (Luke 17:5-10). The apostles saw the need of greater faith and the Savior showed them what can be accomplished with real genuine faith if it is only the size of a grain of mustard seed. He also teaches us to be humble; and after doing all we can we can not expect salvation through merit, but by grace.

XIV. RAISING OF LAZARUS (John 11:1-54). While Jesus was continuing his teaching in Perea two sisters, Martha and Mary, residing at Bethany sent messengers to him announcing that their brother Lazarus was sick. On receiving the word Jesus replied, "This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby." Instead of coming to the sisters immediately he remained still two days in the place where the messengers met him, during which interval Lazarus died and was laid in a stone sepulcher. At the close of the two days Jesus went to Bethany; but the disciples remonstrated against going into Judea, for it was not long since that they fled from their enemies; but Jesus told them his special reason for returning to Bethany was because Lazarus was dead and he must go and awaken him out of his death sleep. The disciples saw that he would go to the side of his dead friend and they decided to go with him, so they might die with him. When Jesus reached Bethany Lazarus was in the grave and the house filled with friends of the family who had come to mourn with them. As he approached the town Martha met him, and after some important teaching he requested Martha to return and call Mary. When Mary met Jesus and impressed him with her sorrow as she knelt at his feet he manifested his compassion through tears. When Jesus arrived at the tomb he commanded that the stone be taken away; and after he prayed he cried with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come forth;" and Lazarus rose and stood before them alive. Some of the people that stood there and saw the miracle believed, and others went to Jerusalem and told the Pharisees. The Sanhedrim was called, and after some consultation it was decided that Jesus must die. Therefore he walked no more openly among the Jews and went into the country of Ephraim as the Passover was not yet at hand.

XV. CLEANSING TEN LEPERS (Luke 17:11-19). The healing of the ten lepers occurred in the borders of Galilee and Samaria.
Standing afar off these poor sufferers cried, "Jesus, have mercy on us." Moved with compassion, Jesus said: "Go show yourselves unto the priest." These lepers fully obeyed, and as they went they were cleansed. One of them, a Samaritan, as soon as he was cleansed, with his heart full of gratitude turned back and with a loud voice glorified God. Ten had been made free from this disease, but only one heard the Savior's words, " Rise and go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole."

XVI. THE COMING OF CHRIST'S KINGDOM (Luke 17:20-37). When the Pharisees demanded of the Savior the time for the coming of the kingdom he answered:" The kingdom cometh not by observation." It is not to be made known by signs and wonders through the objects of nature, but through the power of God in the heart.

XVII. THE PARABLES OF PRAYER (Luke 18:1-14). Continuing his journey in Perea after he had spoken to the people of the coming of the kingdom he gives the parable of " The Importunate Widow." His teaching in this parable is that in all the years in which the church would be looking for the consummation of its hope, though oppressed by enemies and thus delayed in its expectation, it would always have reason to trust and wait. In the promiscuous company there were some present who "trusted in themselves, that they were righteous and set all others to naught." Two men are standing in the temple, one with head erect, the other with eyes downcast; the former recounting his deeds, the latter speaking only of his sins. Jesus Jays this man, the sinner who was penitent, went down to his house justified rather than the other.

XVIII. INSTRUCTION CONCERNING DIVORCE (Matt. 19:3-12; Mark 10:2-12). The Pharisees again asked Jesus an important question, not so much for information as for the purpose of entangling him. He taught them the sacredness of marriage, which is practical in the church now, when fully obeyed. This teaching is violated by many Christian people who follow the liberty granted by the civil law in violation of the divine command.

XIX. BLESSING LITTLE CHILDREN (Matt:19:13-15; Mark 10:13-16; Luke 18:15-17). Mothers brought their children for a blessing, and Jesus' sympathy was touched as he looked upon them. And when his disciples would have sent the mothers away disappointed he rebuked the disciples with the words, "Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of heaven."

XX. THE RICH YOUNG RULER (Matt. 19:16-30; Mark 10:17-31; Luke 18:18-30). This young man, strong in his virtuous life, but not yet satisfied in his heart, desired to be taught the way of life by Jesus the great Teacher. Jesus, discerning that with all his nobility there was in his life the fatal defect of covetousness, bade him dispose of his possessions for the benefit of the poor. His heart was upon his possessions, and he turned away from Jesus "exceeding sorrowful, for he was rich." Jesus said that with difficulty shall they who have riches enter into the kingdom of heaven.

XXI. PARABLE OF THE LABORERS (Matt. 20:1-16). When Peter heard the Savior's instruction in the former paragraph on self-denial he said: "We have forsaken all and followed thee: what shall we have therefore?" This question is liable to arise in any human heart. Jesus therefore put forth this parable in order to chide the spirit out of which such an inquiry springs and to show more fully that his kingdom is a kingdom of grace. A householder is represented as going out early in the morning to hire laborers to work in his vineyard. He does the same at different intervals. At six o'clock the day's work was ended and the laborers received the same amount, regardless of the number of hours they worked. Those who worked the longest complained bitterly because their wages were the same as the wages of those who had served but a few hours. In this parable he aims to correct the selfish and envious spirit which should not be permitted to hinder progress in matters relating to the kingdom of heaven.

XXII. THE THIRD FORETELLING OF HIS DEATH (Matt. 20:17-19; Mark 10:32-34; Luke 18:31-34). Jesus foretold his death to his disciples just before and after the transfiguration and now repeats it the third time with greater explicitness than ever before that the journey to Jerusalem carries him to his death. The twelve alone were permitted to receive this communication; yet while he spoke so clearly they did not understand it.

XXIII. THE AMBITION OF JAMES AND JOHN (Matt. 20:20-28; Mark 10:35-45). James and John through their mother made an appeal to Jesus which showed their misapprehension of the character of the kingdom. They asked to be his chief counselors in his glory, the one sitting on his right hand and the other on his left. Jesus said:" Ye know not what ye ask." The ten learned of the special favor sought by James and John, and they became indignant. Jesus took the opportunity to impress the following lesson: "Whosoever shall become great among you shall be servant of all. For verily the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many."

XXIV. THE BLIND MEN HEALED (Matt. 20:29-34; Mark 10:46-52; Luke 18:35-43). When Jesus was coming near to Jericho two blind men as they were begging by the wayside learned that he was passing and asked of him a great favor. They cried: "Have mercy on us;" and when the multitude asked them to be quiet they cried the more loudly, " Have mercy on us." They prayed that the Lord should open their eyes, and Jesus answered their prayer. He stepped forward and touched their eyes, and they saw as other men and followed Jesus.

XXV. JESUS VISITS ZACCHEUS (Luke 19:1-10). Many people were on their way with him to Jerusalem, and as he passed through Jericho Zaccheus, a little man, finding himself at a disadvantage on account of the crowd, ran ahead and climbed into a sycamore tree, so that he might be able to see Jesus. When Jesus came to the tree, he saw Zaccheus and said, " Make haste and come down, for today I must abide at thy house." Zaccheus was a chief of the publicans of the city, and had become rich with the extortion which was so common with men of his class. He is ready for something better; moneymaking does not satisfy him. When Jesus speaks, he obeys him gladly. The Jews are dissatisfied and say, " He has gone in to lodge with a man that is a sinner." Zaccheus was penitent, ready to give half of his goods to the poor and restore fourfold where he had received money through extortion. Jesus again closed the instruction by saying, " For the Son of man came to seek and to save that which was lost."

XXVI. PARABLE OF THE TEN PIECES OF MONEY (Luke 19:11-28). Those who heard the teaching of Jesus at the house of Zaccheus thought that great events were near at hand, which impressed them with the idea of the Messianic Kingdom, and asked if that kingdom would come immediately. In order to correct their misapprehension as to the time and seasons, and that they might not idly wait on some great events to happen, he taught them that important lesson of applying themselves to the great task of obtaining spiritual life which he came to reveal. The faithful will be rewarded and the unfaithful punished.

XXVII. THE ANOINTING AT BETHANY (Matt. 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9; John 11:55-12:11). Six days before the Passover Jesus went to Bethany and visited his friends a few days before the feast. While there they make him a supper, and during the supper Mary took the costly ointment and anointed Jesus "for his burial." Judas, who made the objection as to the waste, had no doubt at different times taken from the scanty funds intrusted to him as treasurer; and now he saw only waste in this, and became angry on account of the anointing, and because of the rebuke he made an effort to betray the Savior. He sold him for thirty pieces of silver to those who constantly watched for an opportunity to kill him. Jesus rewarded Mary for the last service she did, as she remembered him in his suffering which was still in the future.

QUESTIONS.

• Give the opening and closing events of this period.
• Where did Jesus go after they threatened to stone him?
• Why go into this region?
• Give the parable of the midnight petitioner.
• Do we need instruction in prayer?
• What ceremonies did they neglect?
• What lesson of trust did he teach'
• Why call this a foolish rich man?
• What does he illustrate by the parable of the barren fig tree?
• How long was the woman afflicted?
• Why did the Jews object?
• Who advised him to leave the country?
• Who invited them to the feast?
• Why should we count the cost?
• Name the three parables concerning the lost.
• Who is represented by the elder brother?
• What is meant by mammon?
• What was the home of the rich man and Lazarus?
• How does Jesus illustrate the power of faith?
• Where was Jesus when Mary and Martha sent for him?
• Why did Jesus not go immediately?
• Where did Martha meet Jesus?
• What had become of Lazarus?
• What did Mary do when she met Jesus?
• What effect had the miracle upon the Jews?
• How many lepers gave gratitude to the healer?
• How is the kingdom not to come?
• What is taught by the parable of the importunate widow?
• How did the Pharisee pray?
• Why ask him the question on divorce?
• Who brought the little children to be blessed?
• Why was he to sell his possessions?
• Why give the parable of the laborers?
• Why pay each man the same wages?
• How often did Jesus foretell his death?
• What special favor did James and John ask?
• Where did he meet the two blind men that he healed?
• How were they healed?
• How did Zaccheus receive Jesus?
• Why was he ready to restore fourfold?
• What lessons are taught in the parable of the ten pieces of money?
• How long before the Passover was Jesus anointed?
• Why did Mary anoint him?
• Who objected to the anointing of Jesus, and why?