To such lengths do envy and bitter prejudice lead their slaves. In rejecting Christ, the Pharisees placed themselves where darkness and superstition closed around them, until, continually increasing in hatred and unbelief, they were ready to imbrue their hands in blood to accomplish their unholy ends, and would even take the life of one whom Infinite power had rescued from the grave. They placed themselves where no power, human or divine, could reach them; they sinned against the Holy Spirit, and God had no reserve power to meet their case. Their rebellion against Christ was settled and determined; he was a stumbling-block and a rock of offense to them; they would not have this man Jesus to reign over them. While all this plotting was going on at Jerusalem, Jesus was quietly resting from his labors at the house of Lazarus. Simon of Bethany, whom Jesus had healed of leprosy, wishing to show his Master special honor, made a supper and invited him and his friends as guests. The Saviour sat at the table, with Simon, whom he had cured of a loathsome disease, on one side, and Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead, on the other. Martha served at the table, but Mary was earnestly listening to every word that fell from the lips of Jesus. She saw that he was sad; she knew that immediately after raising her brother from the dead, he was obliged to seclude himself in order to escape the persecution of the leading Jews. As she looked upon her brother in the strength of perfect health, her heart went out in gratitude to Jesus who had restored him to her from the grave. {2SP 374.2}

Så langt kan misundelse og bitter fordom lede sine slaver. Idet farisæerne forkastede Kristus, bragte de sig selv i en tilstand, hvor mørke og overtro omgav dem, og deres had og vantro tiltog hele tiden, indtil de var rede til at besudle deres hænder med blod for at udføre deres vanhellige hensigter og endog ønskede at ihjelslå den, som ved Guds kraft var blevet oprejst af graven. De stillede sig selv på et standpunkt, hvor ingen magt, hverken menneskelig eller guddommelig, kunne hjælpe dem. De syndede mod Helligånden, og Gud kunne ikke gøre mere for dem. Deres oprør mod Kristus var fast besluttet. Han var en anstødssten og forargelsens klippe for dem. De ville ikke have dette menneske (Jesus) til at regere over sig. Medens alle disse rådslagninger gik for sig i Jerusalem, hvilede Jesus rolig fra sit arbejde i Lazarus' hus. Simon af Betanien, som Jesus havde helbredt for spedalskhed, (375) ønskede at vise sin Mester en særskilt ære. Han gjorde derfor en nadvere og indbød ham og hans venner som gæster. Frelseren sat til bords med Simon, som han havde helbredt af en væmmelig sygdom, på den ene side og Lazarus, som han havde oprejst fra de døde, på den anden side. Martha opvartede ved bordet. Men Maria lyttede begærlig efter ethvert ord, som faldt fra Jesu læber. Hun så, at han var bedrøvet. Hun vidste, at han var tvunget til at skjule sig, straks efter at han havde oprejst hendes broder fra de døde, for at undgå forfølgelsen af jødernes øverster. Idet hun så på sin broder, som glædede sig ved styrke og fuldkommen sundhed, fyldets hendes hjerte med taknemmelighed til Jesus, som havde oprejst ham af graven og givet ham tilbage til hende.