Signs of the Times, Book 1 - Ellen G. White

October 9, 1879
The Offering of Love
Jesus stopped at the house of Lazarus in Bethany. He was on his way
from Jericho to attend the feast of the passover at Jerusalem, and chose this
retreat for rest and refreshment. Crowds of people passed on to the city,
bearing the tidings that Jesus was on his way to the feast, and that he would
rest over the Sabbath at Bethany. This information was received with great
enthusiasm by the people; for the news had spread everywhere of the
wonderful works wrought by Jesus, the last and most astonishing of which
was the resurrection of Lazarus from the dead. Many flocked to Bethany,
some from curiosity to see one who had been raised from the dead, and
others because their hearts were in sympathy with Jesus, and they longed to
look upon his face and hear his blessed words.
They returned with reports that increased the excitement of the
multitude. All were anxious to see and hear Jesus, whose fame as a prophet
had spread over all the land. There was a general buzz of inquiry as to who
the wonderful Teacher was, from whence he had come, if Lazarus who had
been raised from the dead would accompany him to Jerusalem, and if it was
likely that the great prophet would be crowned king at the feast. The
attention of the people was entirely engrossed in the subject of Jesus and his
wondrous works. The priests and rulers saw that they were losing their hold
upon the minds of the people, and their rage against Jesus was increased;
they could hardly wait for him to come and give them the desired
opportunity of gratifying their revenge and removing him forever from their
way. As the time passed, they became excited and restless, fearing that after
all Jesus might not come to Jerusalem. They were fearful that he had read
their purposes against him, and would therefore remain away. They
remembered how often he had divined their thoughts, exposed their hidden
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