Now this family of Bethany had sent to Jerusalem and invited the Master to go to their house with two of His travelling companions in order that He might repose Himself after His long wanderings in homelike security.  Jesus thought it was time to leave the city for a little, and accepted the invitation.  His disciples were sorry.  They each desired some hospitable house in order that after so long a time of hardship they might once again be glad with the Master; they thought that was only reasonable, considering His victory.  When the disciples found that only two of them could go with Him, they were distressed, for all had been obliged to share the hard times with Him.

“Have you ever lacked anything with Me?” He asked.  “Have you suffered want?”

“No, Lord, never!” For by His side they had never felt want.  The Master rejoiced over their disinterestedness, and the ten decided that the youngest and the oldest should go with Him, as was only fair.  So John and Simon Peter were chosen.  The rest found lodging with citizens of the town.  Joseph of Arimathea, who had property round Jerusalem, received some of the disciples.  There was the rich Simeon, who had once ridden out into the wilderness to gain eternal life, and had nearly lost his mortal life.  Since then he had changed his opinion about the value of great possessions; at least, he let the needy share them, and he received some of the disciples.  James had business in Bethpage, on the farther slope of the Mount of Olives, where he had hired the ass.  He took Andrew with him.  The animal had been sent back, but had not yet been paid for.  The little old man came to meet them in most friendly fashion.  He was proud beyond everything that his noble brown ass had had so great an honour.  He had himself been in the city, and had heard how the Prophet reproved the Pharisees in the Temple.  That was the finest day of his life.  If the Master would only come and heal his wife of her rheumatism, he would be converted.

That was a good thing, said James, because they hadn’t any money with which to pay him.  The little old man whistled in surprise.  He saw now that people were right when they set no store by men of Galilee.

In order to save their countrymen’s honour, they offered to work in the garden until they had fully paid the debt.  So both the disciples set to digging, and thought, perhaps, of the parable of the labourers in the vineyard.  Then they discussed the events in Jerusalem, and how they would rather be ministers of the Messiah in the golden palace than doing such hard work here.