Did they live to survive the destruction of Jerusalem? Did they live to hear the tramp of the Roman legions resounding through their quiet hamlet, and “the abomination of desolation,” the imperial eagles desecrating the hallowed ridges of Olivet? Did they often repair to the meetings of the infant Church in Jerusalem, and delight to mingle with the under shepherds, when the “Chief Shepherd” had gone? Or did the venerable company of Apostles love to resort, as their Lord before them, to the old village of palm-trees, whose every memory was fragrant with their Master’s name? All these, and similar questions, we cannot answer. This we know and feel assured of—they are now gathered a holy and happy family in the true Bethany above—there never more to listen to the voice of weeping, or hear the tread of the funeral crowd, or the wail of the Mourner!
And soon, too, shall many of us (let us trust) be there, to meet them! Bethany, we have seen, had alike its tears and its joys; so will it be with every spot and every scene in this mingled world. But where the Family of Bethany now are, the motto is—“Never sorrowful, alway rejoicing!” And, better than all, while they never can be severed from one another, they never can be separated from their Lord. He is no longer now, as formerly at their earthly home, like “a wayfaring man that turneth aside to tarry for a night.” No Olivet now to remind of farewells. They are “with Him,” “seeing Him as He is,” and that “for ever and ever!”
And if, meanwhile, regarding ourselves, the journey of life has for a little still to be traversed, and the battle of life still to be fought; blessed be God, “we go not a warfare on our own charges.” The same grace vouchsafed to the disciples is promised to us. That grace will enable us to rise superior to all the vicissitudes and changes of the journey. Let us rise from our Olivet-ridge and be going; and though traversing different footpaths to the same Home—be it ours, like the disciples, to reach at last—a holy and happy company—the true Heavenly Jerusalem—“with Great Joy.”
THE END.
FOOTNOTES
[1] Bethany signifies literally “The house of dates.”
[2] “The figs of Bethany” are mentioned specially by the Rabbins as being subject to tithing.
[3] Stanley’s “Sinai and Palestine.”
[4] Anderson.