Volume 2

First Paschal Celebration
105
women stayed there overnight when they went to Bethania,
to see Jesus before the Baptism. The shepherds
from the country around gathered together bringing gifts
and other necessaries. The inn was transformed into an
oratory, a lamp was lighted, and there they remained.
Jesus taught here and celebrated the Sabbath. While travelling
on this mountainous and lonely road, He stopped
likewise at the place where Mary on her journey to Beth­
1ehem had suffered so from the cold and where afterward
she had been miraculously warmed.
Jesus and His disciples spent the whole of the Sabbath
among these shepherds, who were so happy to have Him
and so deeply moved by His presence. Even Jesus Himself
appeared brighter among these simple, innocent people.
After the Sabbath He went on to Bethania four
hours distant.
1. 3 Kings 16:24.
15. JESUS' FIRST PASCHAL CELEBRATION
IN JERUSALEM
While at Bethania, Jesus occupied the same room at
Lazarus's as formerly. It was the family oratory and was
fitted up like a synagogue. In the center stood the usual
desk with the prayer rolls and Scriptures. Jesus' sleeping
chamber was a little room adjoining.
The morning after His arrival, Martha went to
Jerusalem to notify Mary Marcus and the other women
that Jesus was coming with her brother to the house of
the former. Jesus and Lazarus arrived toward midday.
There were present at the dinner besides Veronica,
Johanna Chusa, and Susanna, the disciples of Jesus and
of John belonging to Jerusalem, John Marc, Simeon's
sons, Veronica's son, and Joseph of Arimathea's
nephews, about nine men in all. Nicodemus and Joseph