they need the prayers of all praying people, in order to support and strengthen their hands ! No wonder that St. Paul says so often to the churches, " Pray for us."
Let us notice, in the last place, how our Lord Jesus Christ's zeal was misunderstood by His enemies. We are told that they " went out to lay hold of him, for they said, he is beside himself."
There is nothingin this fact that need surprise us. The prophet who came to anoint Jehu was called a " mad fel- low." (2 Kings ix. 11.) Festus told Paul that he was " mad." Few things show the corruption of human na- ture more clearly, than man's inability to understand zeal in religion. Zeal about money, or science, or war, or com- merce, or business, is intelligible to the world. But zeal about religion is too often reckoned foolishness, fanati- cism, and the sign of a weak mind. If a man injures his health by study, or excessive attention to business, no fault is found : — "He is a diligent man." — But if he wears himself out with preaching, or spends his whole time in doing good to souls, the cry is raised, " He is an enthusiast and righteous over-much." The world is not altered. The " things of the Spirit" are always "fool- ishness to the natural man." (1 Cor. ii. 14.)
Let it not shake our faith, if we have to drink of the same cup as our blessed Lord. Hard as it may be to flesh and blood to be misunderstood by our relations, we must recollect it is no new thing. Let us call to mind our Lord's wrords, " He that loveth father and mother more than me is not worthy of me." Jesus knows the bitterness of our trials. Jesus feels for us. Jesus will give us help.