The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1888-05-11
THE LORDS SUPPER.
LESSON VII, SECOND QUARTER, IN
TERNATIoNAL SERIES, MAY 1s.

TERNATIoNAL SERIES, MAY t3.
Text of the Lesson, Matt. xvi, 1880.
Golden Text, Cor. v, 7-S1emorizc
Verses 26-28-Comments by Rev. Fl. s.
Hoffman.
condensed from Lesson Helper Quarterly, by
permission of H. S. Hoffman, Philadelphia, pub
lsher.l
Notes-V. II. First day, Passover feast
lasted seven days. Unleavened bread, that
is, bread without yeast or rising. V. 1s.
Time at hand, time of his passion. v. 20.
Even was come, about o'clock. Sat down,
reclined on divans. v.21. Betray, deliver
up. V. Is. Thou hast said, is equivalent to
saying, "Yes, you know what you say is
So" V. 49, Testament, covenant. V. 30.
Sung hymn, the Hallel Psalms cxv-cxviii
were sung at every Passover.
In this lesson we behold tho Lord sitting
down with his disciples under the old dispen-
sation to celebrate its last Passover, and
arising from the table under the new dispen-
sation, with the Lords supper instituted.
There is point in this lesson which marks
the death OF the old and the birth Of the new
and better economy of things
V. II. The Passover is called "the feast of
unleavened BREAD" because lcavened bread
was excluded during the whole seven days
that 1t lasted. The entire passion and death
of Christ, and many precions truths con-
nected with his redemptive work, are SYM
bolized by the Passover.
The movement for the observance Of the
Passover originated on this occasion with the
disciples. They came to Jesus asking him
where they should make preparations for its
observance It was Jesus custom to observe
the feast. The disciples were concerned
about making ready for it. A chamber had
to be secured; tables with couches or divans
prepared; the paschal lamb had to be bought,
slain at the temple between and S o'clock
in the afternoon Of Thursday, then taken to
a private dwelling and cooked; bread, bitter
herbs and wine were required. The work Of
preparation was given to Peter and John.
V. 18. They were directed to go to Jeru-
salem, where they would meet a man bear
ing pitcher, who would render tiem valu-
able aid. The direction and subsequent
events show that Jesus was omniscient. In
the great crowds Of people that filed Jeru-
salem, the right man would be distinguished.
The man was to be told that Jesus 'stime was
at hand" Neither the disciples nor this man
understood the deep significance of these
words for they referred to the time Of
Christ's suffering and death, by which souls
were to BIO ransomed from sin and death.
V. 10. 1t was blind sort of errand upon
which the disciples were to CO. They asked
no questions, but in full faith on Chrtst's
word they went We, like these disciples.
and like Abraham, are bidden Of God to do
things which our reason cannot understand.
Faith, however, goes forward.
V. 20, 81. The paschal lamb was killed
about o'clock in the afternoon, and was
eaten after the setting Of the sun, and often
in the night. Originally the supper was
taken standing. In time the reclining post
ure, as at other meals, was adopted. John
occupied the place next to Jesus, and Judas
may have been on the other side of him.
Our Lord and the twelve disciples were q
full paschal company, ten persons was the
minimum number. AS they were taking
their places at the table strife arose among
them as to who. should be greatest In CON
sequence Of this, at the time for the washing
of hands, Jesus arose from the table and
washed his disciples feet, teaching them a
lesson of humility.
V. g. The effect of the announcement
upon the disciples is described in this verse,
V. o. 'The Jews, at the Passover used a
bitter sauce, made of punches of raisins,
mixed with vinegar and other seasoning,
which they said represented the clay which
their fathers were compelled to use in Egypt
in making brick, thus reminding them of
their bitter bondage there. This was prob
ably the dish to which reference Is here
made. ."-Barnes
v. "a. "The Son Of Man goeth.n Among
the Hebrews the expression "man goeth''
meant death. Hence Jesus states that be
will die in fulfillment Of prophecy, and that
while his death was not the result of acci-
dent, there was still terrible punishment
to be meted out to his betrayer. If it be
asked how the crime Of Judas is SO great
when 1t was determined beforehand that
Jesus should be betrayed, it may be an.
swered: lst The previous purpose Of God
did not force Judas. He acted freely. he
did what his own wicked heart prompted
him. I'd. The crime was what it was In
itself apart from any determination Of God.
3D.. A previous knowledge of thing does
not alter its nature. 4th God, who Is the
best judge of the nature Of the crime, holds
all that was done in crucifying the Saviour
to be by wicked hands, Acts ii, 90. Sinners
cannot take shelter for their sins in the de.
crees of God, or plead them Us excuses God
will punish crimes for what they are in
themselves
V. rs. To war'l OFF suspicion, Judas ncrved
himself to break his silence, and asks this
shameful question. Tho others had in Low.
ing reverence said. lord, is it IFo Judas
uses the more formal title, Master, is it Ir
The straw tells which way the wind blows,
v. 80. Sometime during the feast, Jesus
took the thin cake of unleavcned bread. and
as was the wise and piouS custom, "blessed
It," or gave thanks Tho breaking of the
bread was intended to represent how Christ's
body would be broken and bruised for our
sins. "This is my body" The bread was to
remind them of him, and the sutferings and
death he should so soon endure
va. After the regular Passover was con-
cluded the Lords Supper was instituted. The
first communicates were very imperfect men.
Poor, unlealned, weak in faith, they still
loved Jesus. They knew very little about the
frailty of their own hearts, They thought
they were willing to die for Christ and yet
that very night they all forsook him and fed,
Peter, their spokesman, denied him With
oaths, that night. How meroiful tho Lord
was in giving the clements to suchl No
graceless person should come to tho Lords
Supper. But we must at the same time not
reject whom Christ would receive. Do we
love Jesusa That is the main question.
V. %. The ''cup" was the type or emblem
Of his blood, his life which he laid down as
tho atoncment for sin.
V. 30. The Lord is done with earthly
rites, and at once points to the marriage
supper Of the Lamb. The Passover supper