SECTION XIII.

THE SOJOURN OF JESUS IN PEREA.

(Mark x. 2-31.)

The time was now come that Jesus should take His departure, and bend His course towards Jerusalem. On this journey He came as far as the frontiers of Judea, through the region on the farther side of the Jordan (Perea). Here again the people resorted to Him in multitudes; and, as He was wont. He taught them. But in Perea also were Pharisees, as elsewhere. They came to Him, and asked Him, 'Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife?' In this their purpose was to tempt Him. And He answered them, 'What did Moses command you' (regarding this matter)? They said, 'Moses permitted to write a bill of divorcement, and so put her away.' To this Jesus replied, 'On account of the hardness of your heart, he wrote you this precept; but from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh. So then they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, man shall not put asunder.' And in the house His disciples asked Him again about the same matter. And He said unto them, 'Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery on her (in the connection with her). And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.'

And they brought little children to Him, that He should touch them. Bat the disciples rebuked those that brought them — forbade them with threats. When Jesus saw it. He was much displeased, and said unto them, 'Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.' And He took them in His arms, put His hands upon them, and blessed them.

When Jesus was already on the way to leave Perea, there came one running to Him, and, throwing himself on his knees, he asked Him, 'Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? 'And Jesus said unto him, 'Why callest thou Me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery. Do not kill. Do not steal. Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.' And he answered and said unto him, 'Master, all these I have observed from my youth.' Jesus regarded him with looks of love, and said unto him, * One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell what thou hast, and give it to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven; then come, and, taking up the cross, follow Me.' And he looked sad at that saying, and went away sorrowful; for he had great possessions. And Jesus looked around Him, and said unto His disciples, 'How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! 'The disciples were astonished at His words. And Jesus (explaining) repeating the word, now said, 'Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! 'Nevertheless he added, 'It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.' The word of explanation might have seemed in some measure to compose their minds, but the strong addition caused them still greater disquiet than the original expression. They were astonished out of measure, and said among themselves, 'Who then can be saved?' Jesus looked on them significantly, and uttered a word of strong consolation: 'With men it is impossible, but not with God: with God all things are possible.'

On this Peter began to speak, and said unto Him, 'Lo, we have left all, and have followed Thee.' Jesus answered and said, 'Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for My sake and the Gospel's, who shall not receive now, in this present time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers,¹ and children, and lands, with persecutions — in spite of the same; and in the world to come — the future æon of the world — eternal life,' the life which in its future consummation shall then first be wholly eternal life.

But that the. disciples might not misinterpret this promise, or exalt themselves on account of it, the Lord added the words, 'With many, however, shall it be thus: the first shall be last; and the last first.'

Thus does the Lord present, in a series of facts, in short, rapid sketches, with powerful decisive words, the sanctification of the family; namely, the sanctification of marriage, the sanctification of the children, and the sanctification of the possessions.

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