The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-08-14
ghe Sunday School,
BY REV. G. L. DEMAREST, DID.
LESSON FOR AUGUST %, 1886.
WARNING TO JUDAS AND PETER.
lesson FOR AUGUST %, 1886
IJohn xiii. 21-3S.l
JUDAS.

ample of brotherly kindness, and the dignity
of service. He assured them that in follow
ing his example and doing according to his
instructions they would be greatly blessed.
He is careful to note, however, that fulfill
ment of this ministering love is not to be ex-
pected from them all. In fulfllment of
Scripture. one who ate with them had become
his enemy psalm xii. 81. He tells them
this, that when it is fulfilled they dy have
additional proof of his Messiahship.
(2l-30) But the very thought of such be-
trayal of love fills his soul with grief, to which
he gives expression, ''One of you shall betray
me-" The disciples heard this with constern-
alton, and ''looked at each other, doubling
of whom he spoke" They did not seem to
think of accusing one another, but questioned
concerning themselves, as it I?' Matthew
and Mark. John, the disciple whom JESUS
loved, was reclining near his Master. The
impetuous Peter becomes impatient to know
who could be such traitor, and beckons to
John to find out and tell. John leans his
head back upon his Masters breast, and in
quires, "Who is it," JESUS replied, 'He it is
for whom 1 shall dip the morsel and give it
to him." JESUS was the host of the occasion,
and served the disciples after the custom
airy manner of partaking of the paschal meal.
He took C morsel of the unleavened bread,
or of the roasted lamb and dipped it into
the sauce of bitter herbs with which 1t was
served, and presented it to Judas. Judas
may or may not have heard the conversation
with the Master. 1t is probable from verse
% that the disciples generally did not hear
or understand. After the conversation, ac-
cording to Matthew (xxvi. 29) Judas dnstoered
and said, 'Rabbi, is it II" JESUS replied,
ssYou have said" Then the adversary-Sa-
tan-devil (see last Lesson study entered
into him. He then fully and finally deter
mined to accomplish what he had conceived
and proposed to the high priests. JESUS said
to him, "What you do, do quickly" He
arose from the supper and went out alone.
The disciples knew not for what reason he
went. Though it was now night, some sup
posed he being their treasurer and almoner,
that he may have gone to buy things needed
for the continuation of the feast, or to give
something to the poor, that they might pro-
vide the things prescribed in the law for the
paschal supper. Judas went to the high
priests and secured cohort and officers to
make the arrest of his Master. After the
supper, JESUS, with the disciples, went ac-
cording TO their custom to the Mount of
Olives and entered the Garden of Gethsem-
ane. Judas knew the custom, and led the
officers thither, where the arrest was made,
he designating his Master with what was
probably the usual salutatiop, said Hail,
+, .IroTT
was seized, bound and led away, first to the
high-priest for a preliminary examination,
then to the Roman governor for final judg-
ment, and finally to the place of execution
where he was Gifted up" upon the Cross, and
yielded up his spirit to be gloriied by the
Father.
What was the controlling motive that inn
PEELED Judas to commit this act of treachery
may not be certainly determined. Perhaps,
as in all great crimes, there was an accumu-
lation of motives operating. The Scriptures
reveal nothing whatever of Judas aside from
his connection, as an apostle, with the be-
trayal of his Master. That infamous deed
made such a profound impression upon his
companions that nothing else of his history
is thought of, or recorded by the Evangelists.
Matthew and Mark designate him es the be-
trayer of his LORD. Luke adds that he was
traitor. John reports JESUS as calling him
devil Gan accuser, or Adversary and calls
him thief. The position he held as treas
urer and business manager of the little COM
pany suggests an aptness for business, if not
also an ambition for wealth, position and in
aueros. The mere love of money may have
oeen strong enough to influence him to ac-
espt the offered reward, especially when in
despair at the thought that his dream of in
huence and power and wealth In the king
dom of the Messiah was probably after all
delusion, and when smarting under the re-
buke of the Master at the supper in Bethany.
There may have been thought that after all
the betrayal could do no harm to his Master;
that he could easily prove his innocence, or
by the exercise of the Divine powers he had
SO often manifested effect his escape. Still
another motive is barely possible, hardly
probable, based upon the popular opinions
respecting the Messiah and his kingdom, and
the possibly strong faith of Judas in his Mas
ter's Messianic claim. Manifestly the disci-
pies were impatiently eager that he declare
himself as the rightful heir to the throne of
David, and, indeed, they we're becoming dis
appointed at his delay, and even refusal to
so declare himself in accordance with the
popular expectations. 1t might have been
the purpose of Judas to place his Master in
position from which retreat would have been
impossible, where he would have been COM
PEELED to throw himself upon the enthusiasm
of the people and be raised by them to the
throne of his great ancestor, when he might
look forward to being foremost and highest
in the kingdom, with all his strong desire for
position and wealth gratifed.
But, with any or all of those motives OPP
Grating it is still true that an ambition for
lust of-power, that influence which wealth
and position will secure, was, after all, the
prime motive that made Judas the traitor,
and branded his name with infamy for all
tune, and places him in the history of man
kind as an example and warning to those
whose chief aim of life is to gain wealth, po-
sition, or power. Beware of covetousnessl'
"Mind not high thingsl"
BRoTHERLY LOVE.
(3I-35) When Judas had left the room, j E.