LESSON XXX.
THE TEMPLE.
Luke, xix. 47, 48; xx. 19, 20; xxi. 37, 38.
There was a large place in Jerusalem, like a great church, called the Temple. It was white outside, and very beautiful. The doors were open all day, and people used to go in to pray to God. It was God’s house: Jesus used often to be there with his disciples. Poor blind and lame people came to him there, and Jesus cured them all, and talked to them about his Father.
The little children sang his praises in the Temple. All day long Jesus taught the people about God, and they listened to what he said, and liked to hear him.
The wicked and proud men came to the Temple to laugh at Jesus, and to speak rudely to him; but he bore all as meekly as a lamb.
At night he left the Temple, and went out of the town to a high hill, where he prayed to God alone in the dark.
The wicked men longed to catch Jesus to kill him. They said to each other, How can we get him? the people will not let us take hold of him if they see us, or we would go to the Temple to catch him. If we could find him alone in the dark, then we would put ropes on him, and take him to the judge. This is what the wicked people said to each other as they sat together.