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CHAPTER XVI.

JESUS AT THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES.

You have already heard of Jesus keeping one of the three great feasts which God had commanded the Jews to observe. You will be able to tell me which. Another was called the Feast of Tabernacles. For seven days, the people were to live in booths, or tents made of the branches of trees. This was to remind them of the forty years they lived in tents, when they were brought up out of the land of Egypt. When the time of this feast drew near, some of the relations of Jesus came and begged Him to go up with them to Jerusalem, that people there might see his wonderful works. They said this in a jeering way (for they did not believe on Him); but Jesus answered them very mildly, "Go ye up to the feast. I I go not up yet, for my time is not yet come." You remember how angry the Jews

were with Jesus for healing on the Sabbath. He had told them, too, many things which they did not like to hear about themselves.

Wicked people always hate those who spenk the truth to them. So the Jews often tried to kill Him, but He always escaped out of their hands. About the middle of the Feast, Jesus went up to Jerusalem by Himself. He went into the Temple and taught. All who heard Him were much astonished; they could not think how it was that He had so much knowledge, for his parents were poor, and could not have had Him taught. Jesus then plainly told them that God was his Father, that He had been sent by God, and did the will of God. All this only made them the more angry. The Pharisees, especially, were in such a rage that they sent officers to take Him. Jesus took this opportunity of preaching to them also. He invited all who were athirst "to come unto Him and drink."

You know what He meant by this, dear childten, do you not? The officers were so astonished

at his sayings that they went away without laying hands on Him. When they got back to those who sent them, they were asked, "Why have ye not brought Him?" They auswered, "Never man spake like this man." You may be sure the Pharisees were much displeased, and I think you will be glad to hear that Nicodemus, who had not dared to come to Jesus by day-light before, now spoke out for Him, before the other Pharisees.

While Jesus remained at Jerusalem, He often spoke to the Jews in the Temple. They were very proud of having Abraham for their father. Jesus told them that instead of doing as Abraham did, they showed, by their wicked works, that they were the children of the Devil. "Abraham

rejoiced to see my day," He said, " and he saw it, and was glad." Do you know how this could be, when Abraham lived 1,900 years before Jesus came? I will tell you. God allowed holy men of old to have the comfort of looking forward by faith to the time of the Saviour's coming. Abra

100 JESUS AT THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES.

ham was one of this number, but the Jews did not understand how he could have seen Jesus. "What," said they, "hast thou seen Abraham? Thou art not yet fifty years old!" Jesus answered them, "Before Abraham was, I am."

You know when Moses was sent to the people of Israel in Egypt, he asked God what he was to say if the people inquired Who sent him. God answered, "Thus shalt thou say, I AM hath sent me unto you." You see Jesus now calls himself by the same name, meaning that He was "Jehovah," "the beginning and the ending, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty." (Rev. i. 8.)

And now the Jews could not hold their rage any longer. Nothing was so dreadful in their eyes as that a man should make himself equal with God. They took up stones to throw at Him, but Jesus in a wonderful manner escaped from them, passing through the very midst of them, and yet hiding himself from them.

CHAPTER XVII.

JESUS QUESTIONED BY A LAWYER.

ONE day when Jesus was teaching, a lawyer stood up, and asked Him a very important question. The lawyers were very learned in the law of Moses, and explained it to the people. This lawyer asked Jesus what he must do to get to heaven.

Now, I am afraid he did not really care to know, but only wanted to hear what Jesus would say. Jesus asked him what he read in the law. "I read there," said the lawyer, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy mind, with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and thy neighbor as thyself."" "Thou hast answered rightly," said Jesus; "do this, and thou shalt live."

Now, the lawyer knew that he had never loved God with all his heart, but he did not wish to

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