Page:Lazarus, a tale of the world's great miracle.djvu/290

278 Then, when Jesus saw that none performed the kindly office of washing of the feet, He rose from the table and sent one of the disciples to fetch water. The lessons would be few that He would teach them now; after to-morrow, the Son of God would be a prisoner. To-night the teachings, that would last through all the ages of the earth, must be set forth; and to the patient, loving Teacher it seemed that no word must be left unsaid that might make the bitter lessons of the future easier.

With amaze they watched Him take off his upper garment and gird a towel round his loins, then pour water into a large copper basin that stood by.

In silence they regarded Him, while He knelt at the feet of one after another of His disciples, and dipped His shapely hands, hands that worked only for the good of many, into the limpid water. None spoke, or offered to relieve Him of the task, lest they should seem to think that He performed only a menial act, when, in truth, they looked upon it as a symbol of some great teaching; yet each was distressed to see his Lord thus meekly kneeling.

"Surely this is the greatest lesson of all," said Lazarus.

When Jesus came to Peter, the apostle could contain himself no longer.

"Thou shalt never wash my feet," he said, standing up, and, with two hands, pressing away the basin.

But, with quiet insistence, the Nazarene replied: "If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with Me." Then Peter understood that this was some great ceremonial, to complete the bonds of love and