Chapter 31—Resurrection of Lazarus Jesus had often found the rest that his weary human nature required at the house of Lazarus, in Bethany. His first visit there was when he and his disciples were weary from a toilsome journey on foot from Jericho to Jerusalem. They tarried as guests at the quiet home of Lazarus, and were ministered unto by his sisters, Martha and Mary. Notwithstanding the fatigue of Jesus, he continued the instruction which he had been giving his disciples on the road, in reference to the qualifications necessary to fit men for the kingdom of Heaven. The peace of Christ rested upon the home of the brother and sisters. Martha had been all anxiety to provide for the comfort of her guests, but Mary was charmed by the words of Jesus to his disciples, and, seeing a golden opportunity to become better acquainted with the doctrines of Christ, quietly entered the room where he was sitting, and, taking her place at the feet of Jesus, drank in eagerly every word that fell from his lips. {2SP 358.1}

Jesus havde ofte fundet den hvile, som hans trætte menneskelige natur behøvede, i Lazarus' hjem i Betanien. Han aflagde sit første besøg hos Lazarus, da han og hans disciple var trætte af en besværlig rejse til fods fra Jeriko til Jerusalem. De opholdt sig som gæster i Lazarus' stille hjem, og hans søstre Martha og Maria tjente dem. Selvom Jesus var træt, fortsatte han dog den undervisning som han meddelte sine disciple på vejen, angående de egenskaber, som er nødvendige, for at et menneske kan blive skikket for himmerigets rige. Kristi fred hvilede over disse søskendes hjem. Martha havde hele sin opmærksomhed henvendt på sine gæsters bekvemmelighed, Men Maria blev interesseret i de ord, som Jesus talte til sine disciple, og da hun så, at den gyldne lejlighed var kommet til at blive bedre bekendt med Kristi lære, gik hun rolig ind i det værelse, hvor han sad, og satte sig (359) ved Jesu fødder, hvor hun begærlig lyttede til ethvert ord, som faldt fra hans læber.