Immanuel: a life of Jesus the Christ <For young people.>

Front matter

"•^VwwV hot**

Jwajws^^^^'

v^w^fes

Chapter 1

eneath the shade of a spreading willow in a very beautiful spot on the bank of the River Jordan, sat two young men. The}' were Hebrews, Bar-elah and Eliab, by name. Evidently the conversation in which they were engaged was an exceedingly interesting one.

The Jordan at this point presented a very beautiful appearance. The banks were thickly covered with trees. Great spreading willows were to be seen in abundance — occasionally there was an oleander in full bloom and now and then a tamarisk. Birds flitted about among the branches over head. The waters of the River were clear

* village Bar-elah had been raised from infancy

.is village Eliab had come some t

Eliab was the older of the two; rather small of statue but well proportioned, and the twentytwo summers that had passed since he had first seen the light, had given him a darker complexion his friend had. Eliab loved Bar-elah as :d no other. The very sight of his filled

him with delight and among the most bles hours of his life were those when lie communed alone with him.

Bar-elah was a sturdy youth of eighteen, much taller than his companion and finely formed — a magnificent specimen, physically, of God's handiwork; a handsome body, a handsomer face. Eliab was a devout Hebrew youth, attending regularly at all the Synagogue services — and in-

Bar-elah was

-

Limed on the morni ay when

tv had sought the very first opportune

c with his friend and had induced him to walk over to the river that they might be alone commune together.

; dear Bar-elah," spoke Eliab, li I'm so glad you're home with us again, I have much to

.k to you of There have been. some- wonderful occurrences since you left us. One John the Baptist, thought by some to be the Christ, went all through this country about Jordan preaching that men should repent of their sins, 'for," said he, 'the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand,' and great throngs of people went out to hear him and many of them he baptized in the Jordan. Why Elah'' for this was Eliab's favorite name for his friend, "I heard one day of this wonderful man and thought I to would go and sec and hear him — and so 1

;■: expecting to see someone resembling some

I MM A M' E I.

of our teachers, but lo ! a man of uncouth appearance, with a raiment of coarse earners hair and a girdle of skin about his loins. Some said he resembled greatly our prophet of old — Elijah. But his preaching was powerful. And I saw Publicans and Pharisees and Sadducees and numbers of others baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins. He told us though of one who was to come after him, who was mightier than he, who would baptize men with the Holy Ghost."

"And I am told that one da}' when he was thus preaching and baptizing, there came one who is called Jesus, to him, to be baptized of him. And shortly after, John saw this one called Jesus, who hails from Nazareth, and pointing to him he said: 'Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the siu of the world.' "

During all of Eliab's conversation he had had Bar-elarrs undivided attention for all this was news to him. He had had no opportunity to hear what was going on in his own land during his trip for his father.

{ 'Where is this one called Jesus, now, Eliab? I'd like to see him. I wonder if he is not the one of whom I heard as I came along the Jordan on 1113'

I MM A NUEL. g

way home. We stopped a few moments to quench our thirst and found a curious old man on the bank of the river who was trying to explain something to a boy with him. All I heard was something about a place in the river, towards which the old man pointed, and I heard him say, 'there is where he was baptized. I was among the number who saw it all. And oh ! such a beautiful, divine countenance.' "

"It must have been he, Elah," answered Eliab. u And*do you know that we happened to be talking about these events at home this morning, just before you came — and I heard my good mother tell of some events that occurred when she and father were first betrothed. She said that she remembered very well hearing her people tell of a singular star that made its appearance one night and abode over the little town of Bethlehem. At the same time three strange looking magi came from the East and went first to Jerusalem and enquired at the city gates as to where they could find 'he that is born King of the Jews, for' said they 'we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.' And upon hearing of this strange inquiry Herod gathered the Chief Priests and q I M M A NUEL.

Scribes together and found from them that the Christ should be born in Bethlehem of Judaea and he sent the magi to Bethlehem and as they were . leaving the holy city the wonderful star made its appearance again to them and went before them until it stood over the place where the young child, whom they sought, was."

"Yes Eliab, I have heard my good mother tell of the same strange occurrences. And I remember hearing her tell that before this visit of the magi, the birth of this child was announced by an angel to some lowly shepherds on the plains of Bethlehem," answered Bar-elah.

"And do they think," continued Bar-elah, who had become by this time, thoroughly interested — "that this one is the Messiah so long looked for by Israel?"

"Yes, many alread} 7 believe him to be the one who shall deliver Israel, Elah," answered Eliab.

The conversation between the two young men continued in this line for some time. At length the two started for their homes, Eliab the meanwhile rehearsing to his friend all that he had heard about this wonderful person, whom it was claimed was the Christ.

1MMANLEL. I0

As they neared the village their thoughts turned to the approaching celebration of the Passover.

"How soon do you expect to leave to attend the Passover, Eliab?" asked Bar-elah.

"Probably in the course of three or four days, Elah — and say, Elah — you go when I do, will you?"

"All right Eliab I will," readily responded the other. "Do not our families plan to go together, anyway?"

"Yes, I believe they do, and say, Elah, I was just thinking, perhaps we will be able to see this one who is called Jesus — for if he is a faithful Israelite he must needs attend the great Feast," suggested Eliab.

"That's so Eliab and I'd like to see him, too."

The days that intervened between the above conversation between the two boys and the day on wmich their people had decided to set out for Jerusalem, were busy ones — days of preparation in which everything must be made ready for the journey and for the feast.

On the evening of the day before the start was to be made — Bar-elah went over to spend a

XI I M MA NUEL.

quiet hour with Eliab. They repaired to the house-top where all was quiet and where they might talk without disturbance.

When they were settled comfortably, Bar-elah spoke:

"O Eliab, my brother Eleazar just returned to-night from Cana of Galilee and he tells us that there is great excitement up there about this Jesus of Nazareth. He says that not long ago there was a marriage feast up there and Jesus with some of his followers — his disciples — were at the feast, and during the festivities it was found that the supply of wine had been exhausted and this Jesus made wine out of water.

"Eleazar says, that the}' told him, and one of our cousins was a guest at the feast — this cousin I believe told Eleazar — that this Jesus saw six large waterpots of stone, and he directed the servants to fill these to the brim with water — just common water, and then directed them to draw out the w T ater and lo ! it was wine ! At first some thought it was done through fraud but that couldn't be for the servants themselves testify that they knew not what was to happen and nothing was put into the water — and as far as I can

/ MM A A U EL. I2

learn Jesus did not as much as put his finger upon the waterpots. Surely this is the most astonishing miracle that I've heard of in my day."

"Truly that was marvelous. My dear Elah, we must see this one if we can," was Eliab's answer.

Chapter II

ll/ARLY on the morrow, among the companies v that set ont from the little village where Bar-elah and Eliab lived, was one company containing the two families to which these boys — or young men, belonged. There were just twelve in the party.

It was a most beautiful spring morning. The roadside was lined with bright flowers, the fields on either side were fresh and green and were flecked with gaily colored flowers.

It was not long before large numbers of travelers were to be seen along the road — all of them bound for Jerusalem to attend the great feast.

Although the women and children were not obliged to go up to the feast at this time, yet the entire families to which our two young men belonged, had turned out — Bar-elah's father and mother, three brothers, sister and himself, and

IM M A Nb EL. I4

Eliab's widowed mother, two brothers, sister and himself. And it was a merry compare too. It was a season for great rejoicing on the part of all devout Jews because of the mighty deliverance commemorated by the feast, and although some of the young people of the compan}' did not feel as truly thankful as perhaps they ought to have, yet they seemed to catch some of the spirit of thankfulness manifested b} T their elders — and altogether it was an exceedingly happy company.

The seven young men of the company were afoot while the other five of the part}' rode on asses. Occasionally a pause would be made beneath some spreading sycamore, or at a . spring.

At mid-day a short rest was taken in a very beautiful spot by the road-side, beneath a giant oak. There was some need of haste in order to reach the Hoi}- City before the close of the day, for Bar-elah's people had as yet no place selected in which to prepare the Passover. Eliab's people were to go to the home of his uncle.

Toward evening the gate of the City was reached. Already large numbers of people had arrived and the roads approaching the City were thronged and crowds were about the gates.

"Elah," spoke up Eliab, as the company passed through the gate into the City — "mother thinks that our uncle can accommodate our whole company at his place — at least if you and I are willing to sleep upon the house-top together, and I guess we can agree to that can't we?"

kk Most certainly we can Eliab. Three years ago the company we were with was late in arriving and had to pitch a couple of tents in order to find a place to stay, but this year we are early. And say Eliab, how do you plan to use the days between now and the feast? But then we can talk that over later. My what crowds there are already ! It seems to me I never saw so many people before. I wonder if he who is called Jesus is here yet."

Upon arrival at the house of Japhlet — for this was the name of Eliab's uncle — room was found for the entire company, provided Eliab and Bar-elah took to the house-top, which proviso they readily agreed to.

That night after retiring Bar-elah renewed his question of the evening: "How do you plan to use the next few days, Eliab ?"

"Well Elah, I've been thinking that we

I M MA i\ U E L.

might look about the Cit}- — visit the market-place, the bazaars, and the like, and the temple — and then too, it will be interesting to watch the crowds and who knows but what we may have an opportunity to see this Jesus of Nazareth. Then too, we will probably find many of the young men of our town and others whom we know and a whole party of us can go over to Gethsamane and to the Mount of Olives."

The days before the Passover passed just as Elifb had suggested. Old acquaintances were found, not only among those who dwelt in Jerusalem but among those who came from the other parts of the land of the Jews. Many a quiet hour did our two young men spend together in Gethsamane, where beneath a giant olive they talked over events that had transpired during the time they had been separated. Frequent references were made to the Christ for there was a desire on the part of each boy to see Him. On the part of Bar-elah, it was probably nothing more than mere curiosity, but on the part of Eliab, there was a feeling that possibly after all this one might be the one that some claimed Him to be, the long-promised, the long-looked for, the long-prayed for Messias.

, - I M MA NUE I..

One morning just before the opening of the feast, Eliab awoke first and while waiting for Bar-elah to awake he thought of various plans for the day, but the one that seemed "to impress him most favorably, included a visit to the temple. As soon as Bar-elah awoke Eliab made known his plans and they were readily agreed to.

A few hours later found the two young men standing side by side within the sacred enclosure. There were many other visitors for by this time the City was crowded with people from the other parts of the land. Most of the people seemed to be about the court in which those were to be found, who dealt in sheep and oxen and doves for the temple sacrifices. These dealers were kept busy disposing of their stock to those who desired the animals for sacrifice. Numerous changers of mone}' were found in this court, these too did a brisk business changing the various coins brought in by the people from outside of Jerusalem, into the half-shekel of the sanctuaiy. All was bustle and confusion. Men jostled against one another as they passed from stall to stall. The bleating of the sheep and the lowing of the cattle and the rattle of the money was accompanied by the shout-

7MMAADEL. jg

ing of dealers — and all this within the enclosure which had been solemnly dedicated to Jehovah.

Our two young men stood silently together taking in the scene when suddenly there was great confusion among the dealers and their cattle — and there was a general scattering. Upon their looking to ascertain the cause of all this, the boys saw one — Himself a young man, having a scourge of cords or rushes in His hand — and as they looked they saw Him drive the sellers of the oxen and sheep out of the temple and then turning to the money changers He caused their money to be poured out and then He overthrew their tables. Then to those that sold doves He said, with authority : : 'Take these things hence ; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise. "

Some of the Jews who saw what had been done, at once demanded of him the authority by which He had thus purged the temple. His answer to their question was :

"Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up."

His answer astonished the Jews for said they: "Forty and six years was this temple in building and wilt thou rear it up in three days ?"

X q I M MA NUE L.

Bar-elah and Eliab were interested spectators o{ all these occurrences — but the quern with

eaeli was as to whom this one could be — this one who had assumed suddenly so much authority, certain!}* He was not of the Priests. The face attracted them, for while they could see the evidences there of the anger that was felt because of the gross sacrilege that had so long been permitted, still the boys saw a face of singular, divine beauty. As He passed from the court followed by a little company who seemed to be His followers — Bar-elah ventured to ask one of the number as to whom this young man might be.

"Jesus of Nazareth," was all the response Bar-elali received, but it was enough. Eliab heard it as plainly as did his companion. It had a strange effect on both 3'oung men. The very words seemed to thrill Eliab. Never before had Bar-elah, apparently so indifferent to religious truth, looked so serious. All the boys could do was to stand and look at this one -concerning whom they had heard but whom neither had ever seen befure. And as the}* looked the face of the Christ seemed to grow more radiant and divine, until, finally Eliab drew his friend to him and said softly :

The Passover was observed in the usual manner by the families to which Eliab and Bar-elah belonged. On the afternoon of the 14th of the month, Eliab's uncle, Japhlet, representing the company gathered at his home to observe the Passover, took the paschal lamb into the court of the temple where it was killed and dressed. The blood was given to the Priests who sprinkled it on the altar, and the fat was burned upon the altar. During all of this the Levites sang the hymn of praise prescribed for this ceremony.

When Japhlet reached his home the lamb was at once made ready for roasting, and after the 15th day had commenced, that is, when it had become dark, the little company consisting of Eliab's uncle, aunt and five cousins, with the families to which Eliab and Bar-elah belonged — nineteen souls in all — this company gathered about the Passover-table and partook of the Passover-lamb, the bitter herbs, the unleavened bread and whatever else was provided.

Bar-elah listened more attentively than ever

2i I M MA NU.E /. .

before to the declaration of the meaning of the feast, as made by Japhlet during the progress of the Passover-meal. This declaration impressed Eliab more forcibly than ever. Was it because their eyes had just shortly before rested upon One whom some believed to be the Messias ?

Chapter III. J*j Y

>/^VFTER the days for the observance of the feast were fulfilled, the little company containing Bar-elah and Eliab returned to the little village from whence it had come.

The months that followed were spent quietly by our two young men, in their village homes — Eliab prosecuting his studies and Bar-elah assisting his father in the work connected with the little parcel of ground upon which they lived, and upon the produce of which they depended for their livelihood.

Nearly a year passed in this way. Nothing much was ever heard about Jesus. The village was not visited much by outsiders and little was heard regarding events at any distance.

Many an hour were the two friends to be found together talking earnestly about the few wonderful works of Jesus of which they had heard.

9 o 1 M M A NUEL.

One evening they were sitting together upon the house-top watching the setting sun and chatting

together when news was brought to Bar-elah's father which made it necessary for Bar-elah to start next morning for the city of Samaria.

"Say Eliab," said Bar-elah when his father had returned to the rooms beiow, "you go home and tell your mother that you're going with me to-morrow and then come stay with me and we'll get a good early start — start at the rising of the sun — will you my boy ?"

"Oh. my dear Elah, I would so much like to go with you, but — " and Eliab thought a moment, —"all right Elah, I'll go," and with that he was off. In a few moments he returned with the few things he needed for his journey.

With the rising of the sun the two young men were on their wa}' — each mounted upon an ass.

The journe}' was a pleasant one, but the boys felt glad, when after having been hindered somewhat on their journey — they arrived on the third day within sight of the city of Samaria. Neither boy had ever visited the city before. Bar-elah's father had never before, to his son's knowledge, had any dealings in the land of the despised

1M MANUEL. 2 a

Samaritans. Every thing at first looked strange to them. Once in a great while a Jew wonld be seen but never as much as talking with a Samaritan.

As Bar-elah and Eliab neared the city they found by the road-side, a young man, to all appearances, a Samaritan, who was evidently in trouble. His beast of burden had become fractious or frightened and had spilt the pack from off its back and the young man was having a hard time trying to fix things. As the boys drew nearer the}' saw that he was struggling with a load that was realty too much for him.

"Let's help him Elah, even if he is a despised Samaritan," suggested Eli^b, for his heart had been touched after witnessing the fruitless efforts of the young man to right matters, and he really felt sorry for him.

Our two young men proffered their help which was gladly accepted and the 3^oung man was profuse with his thanks.

"I perceive that you are both Jews," said he as he eyed them from head to foot. u One of your people has created a great stir in some parts of our land. The whole city of Sychar is aroused because of his doings."

2 - 1 M M A NUE /..

"Who is he and where does he hail from and what does he do that's wonderful — if you'll pardon so many questions," asked Eliab.

"Jesus of Nazareth," was the only response from the young Samaritan.

Bar-elah and Eliab looked at one another in astonishment. -Was it possible that this One whom they had seen so zealous for the sacred temple of the Jews was now among the hated Samaritans ?

And was it possible that they might again get a glimpse of that wonderfully attractive face?

The boys seemed to read one another's thoughts for the}' spoke not a word.

"We saw this One in Jerusalem at the great feast," spoke up Eliab, after a moment or two — "but had no hopes of finding Him here in Samaria."

"Oh he was merely passing through our land on his way to Galilee," explained the young Samaritan.

"But what great work has He been doing here in your land?" asked Bar-elah, and Eliab noticed a real evidence of interest on the part of his friend.

"Well," began the 3'oung Samaritan, "it seems he had been working or teaching down in Judaea

1 MM r A AD EL.

after he had attended the Passover of the Jews at Jerusalem, and then decided to go into Galilee, but instead of crossing the Jordan and going through Perea as so many of the Jews do, in order to avoid us, he, with some of his disciples, came right through our land to the city of Sychar. That is the place you know, near which Jacob's well is situated. Pie forthwith sent his disciples into the city to buy meat — and being weary and thirsty from his journey he sat on the well to rest. While he sat thus a woman came to draw water from the well — and he being thirsty asked her to give him to drink, of the water she drew. His request astonished her and she could not refrain from giving expression to her astonishment — to think that he, a Jew, would ask drink of one who was a woman of Samaria, seeing the Jews had no dealings with the Samaritans. But her astonishment seemed the greater when he told her that he could give her to drink of living water and after

drinking of it she would never thirst again.

Said he : 'Whosoever drinketh of this water' — meaning that which the woman had drawn — 'shall thirst again ; but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst ;

but the water that I shall give him shall be in him

a well of water springing up into everlasting life.' These are the words the woman repeated afterwards. Rather a queer statement is it not?

"But more than that — this man — and I afterwards learned that he is called Jesus of Nazareth — this one, as the woman afterwards testified to the men of the city, told her all things that ever she did. She was one who had done wickedl}' and he told her all about it. More than that, he declared himself to be the Messias.

"After this she went into the city and told the men all about the wonderful things that this one who claims to be the Messias, told her. The result was that large numbers went out of the city to where he was — and man}' of them believed on him. So many, in fact, that the Samaritans besought him to tarry with them a season and he did so — remaining for two days. During that time man}' more of the city believed after hearing him speak. Some of them declaring him to be the Christ, the Saviour of the world."

"And is he still in Samaria ?" asked Bar-elah who with Eliab, had given undivided attention to all the young Samaritan had told them.

/ M M A A EL. 2 g

"No," was the young man's reply. "After two days he went into Galilee. Of course I do not know as much about his doings there as I do of those nearer my home — for I too belong to Sychar. But my brother is among those who believe Jesus to be the Christ and he of course feels interested enough to keep posted on all that this one does and only yesterday he had from one who had come from Capernaum a full report of the wonderful things done there.

"This Jesus it seems has been teaching in their synagogues in Galilee and a fame of him went through all the country round about. It seems that one day he went to Cana in Galilee, where it is said, he had more than a year before, miraculously made wine out of water. A certain ruler or nobleman living in Capernaum and whose son was at the point of death, heard that Jesus was in Cana and went over to him and begged him to go down to Capernaum and heal his son — but instead of going, this Jesus simply said to him : 'Go thy way; thy son liveth.' And the ruler believed what he said and started for home. On the way he met his servants who were on their way to Cana to tell him that his son was better and upon

2 q / .1/ MA NUEL.

inquiry it was found that at the very hour in which this Jesus had said 'thy son liveth,' the fever left him."

"Then," continued the young Samaritan, "he went to Nazareth, the city where he had been brought up and on the Sabbath day went into their Synagogue and opening the book of the prophet Esaias he read a prophesy concerning the Messias and expounded the Scriptures to the people and declared that that day that Scripture which he had read was fulfilled in their hearing. And the people wondered because of the gracious words that he spake but after a time the} 7 became so filled with wrath that the}' thrust him out of the city and took him to the brow of the hill, intending to cast him over, but he just quietly walked out from among them and went his way, and went down to Capernaum."

The relating of these occurrences excited both Bar-elah and Eliab with a greater desire than ever the} 7 had had before to sec the Christ and to see some of His w r onderful works. They had neither of them moved even so much as a finger while their newly made acquaintance had been rehearsing the doings of Jesus. Within the

1 M MANUEL. in

heart of Eliab there seemed to be a feeling that this one must, indeed, be the Messias. Bar-elah felt interested to a certain extent.

"Well where is He now?" asked Eliab.

"In Capernaum," answered the Samaritan — "But I must hasten on my journey,'' he continued and again he expressed his thanks to the boys for their help.

"I feel that we ought to thank you," was Eliab's response, "for we have heard a great deal from you that interests us Jews." And the two went on their \va}^ into the city while the Samaritan went his way along the country road.