heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth ît not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away, that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way-side. But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word and anon with joy receiveth it yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. He also that received seed among the thorns, is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it: which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundred fold, some sixty, some thirty."

Again he said, "The kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field: the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath and buyeth that field :” Again, "The kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchantman, seeking goodly pearls: who when he hath found one pearl of great price, went and sold all he had, and bought it."

Upon another occasion, some of the scribes and pharisees came from Jerusalem to Jesus, and asked him why his disciples did not wash their hands before eating, as the disciples of John had always done, and as they were ordered to do by one of their traditions. Jesus asked them why they transgressed the commandments of God by their traditions for that whilst it was God's positive command that they should honour both father and mother, they considered that whatever they did which was profitable or useful to their parents, was a favour or gift bestowed upon them, instead of a duty which they were bound to perform. "For God commanded saying: Honour thy father and thy mother and he that curseth father or mother, let him die the death. But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me, and honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free." "Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophecy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me. with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips: but their heart is far from me."

Jesus explains how he is the good shepherd by

the following parable.

"He that entereth not by

the door into the sheep-fold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice; and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him for they know not the voice of strangers."

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The people did not understand what Jesus meant by this parable, but he explained it; he said, Verily, verily, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door : by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they may have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not,

G

seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep and fleeth and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father and I lay down my life for the sheep.

No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. This commandment have I received of my Father."

you

The Jews came round Jesus as he walked in the part of the temple called Solomon's porch, and asked him to tell them plainly, if he were the Christ, or not. Jesus answered them, "I told and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me. But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: and I give unto them eternal life and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one."

Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him, and Jesus asked for which of his good works they were going to stone him. But the Jews said, not for any of his good works, but because he made himself equal to God. They tried again to stone him, but he escaped and went away beyond the river Jordan, to the place where John at first baptised.

At this time, a man whose name was Lazarus, and who lived at Bethany, was very sick, and his sisters Mary and Martha sent to Jesus to tell him of his illness. When Jesus heard of it, he said, "This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby." Jesus loved Lazarus, as well as his sisters Mary and Martha, but he did not go to Bethany immediately; he remained where he was for two days more. At last, when he said to his disciples, "Let us go into Judæa again," they reminded him how lately the Jews had tried to stone him there; but he would not be dissuaded from going, he said, "Our friend Lazarus sleepeth, but I go that I may awake him out of sleep." He then explained to them that Lazarus was already dead,