43

gogues. Meanwhile Herod was indignant at the disappearance of the Magi, and gave way to his ungovernable rage. History does not say how far his disease at this moment had preyed upon his body; but his disposition was still as bloody and relentless as ever. He ordered the slaughter of all the infants in Bethlehem and its neighbourhood, that were two years old and under, in the hope of destroying the Christ, who was to save the world. The shrieks and groans in this quiet village fulfilled the terrible prophecy of Jeremiah- "Rachel weeping for her children, and could not be comforted." Herod died shortly after, and Joseph was desired in a dream to return to Nazareth. Joseph however was afraid to pass through Judæa, as Archelaus had succeeded his father Herod, and bloody riots were distracting Jerusalem. Accordingly, by Divine direction, he turned aside, probably through Peræa, and at length reached the town of Nazareth in Galilee with Mary and the infant Saviour.

John the Baptist prepares the way.-Years passed away. Tiberius Cæsar was emperor of Rome. Antipas and Philip were tetrarchs in Galilee and Peræa. Pontius Pilate was Roman procurator of Judæa. Caiaphas was high priest and president of the Sanhedrim at Jerusalem. Annas, an ex-high priest and father of the wife of Caiaphas, was also associated with Caiaphas in the title, and appears to have frequently acted as his sagan or deputy, and to have shared his dignity. At this particular moment, John, the son of Zacharias and Elizabeth, having reached the age of 30, appeared in the wild and desolate part of Judæa, between Jerusalem and the Dead Sea. His coming was like the reappearance of an ancient prophet. His garment of camel's hair was fastened round him with a simple leathern girdle. He lived on the wild honey in the rocky clefts, and the swarms of locusts which at intervals covered the country. His preaching resembled the old prophetical exhortations, which still found an echo in the hearts of Jews, for he spoke of repentance and of the

coming Messiah. The people of Judæa gathered from every part to confess their sins to him and be baptized in the Jordan. All classes, Pharisees, Sadducees, publicans, and soldiers, listened to his fiery rebukes and loud exhortations. The people wondered whether he was himself the Messiah; but he boldly declared his mission. "I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord! I indeed baptize you with water, but one mightier than I cometh, who shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire."

Jesus Christ baptized.-A few months passed 44 away. Jesus had also attained the age of 30 years, before which, according to the laws of Moses, no man could enter the public ministry or priesthood. From his birth to the present time, the sacred record is almost silent. He had resided at Nazareth with his supposed parents, and accompanied them at different times to Jerusalem to keep the feasts. At the age of 12 he was left behind in the city, and after three days was found reasoning in the temple with the doctors of the law. The spectators were amazed at his understanding and answers; but he at once returned with his parents to Nazareth, and was subject unto them, and increased in stature and in favour with God and man. At the present time he went from Galilee to the banks of the Jordan to be baptized by John. The Baptist at first remonstrated, but at length performed the holy ceremony; and he saw the heavens open and the Holy Ghost descend upon Jesus like a dove, and heard a voice saying, "This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased."

Prepares for his divine mission.-Jesus was 45 then carried by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. Here he remained without food 40 days and 40 nights. He resisted three distinct temptations. Satan tried to persuade him to yield to hunger, and turn the stones to bread; to yield to pride, and throw himself from a pinnacle of the temple upon

46

the support of angels; and lastly, to yield to ambition, for he offered him all the kingdoms of the earth if he would only fall down and worship him. Jesus replied, "Get thee behind me, Satan!" and shortly afterwards was ministered unto by angels and returned to Jerusalem. Meanwhile John had publicly declared that he himself was not the Christ, but only the forerunner, who was to prepare the way. Seeing Jesus now, he said, "Behold the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world;" and he subsequently repeated the words to two of his disciples, who accordingly followed the Saviour. One of these, named Andrew, brought his brother Simon Peter with him. The next day Jesus desired to return to Galilee. He called on Philip, who, like Andrew and Peter, was a Galilean, to follow him. Philip brought Nathanael, a pious Israelite, who at once confirmed the Messiahship of our Lord. Jesus then proceeded to Galilee, and shortly afterwards testified his divine mission by turning water into wine at a marriage feast at Cana, a small town, not far from his native place of Nazareth.

Introductory review of our Lord's public ministry. The future public ministry of our Lord is usually calculated as extending over a period of three years, beginning and ending with the feast of Passover. According to this calculation, it commenced in April, A. D. 27, when our Lord first cleared the temple of money-changers and cattle-sellers, and concluded in April, A. D. 30, when he suffered on the cross. According to the Christian almanac it may therefore be divided according to Easters. During the first year he appears to have been followed by a miscellaneous crowd of disciples. In the second year he selected twelve to be his apostles, and sent them out two by two on separate apostolic journeys. In the third year he sent out seventy to preach the gospel, and prepare the way for his last Messianic journey through Galilee before he himself went to Jerusalem to consummate his divine mission. His miracles were chiefly performed, and