The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1888-05-11
AND DEMOCRAT. BLOOMSBURY, COLUMBIA COUNTY. PA
THE LORDS SUPPER.
LESSON vil, SECOND QUARTER, IN
TERNATIoNAL SERIES, MAY ts.

TERNATloNAL SERIES, MAY ts.
Tert Of the Lesson, Matt. xxvi, 1890.
Golden Text, 1 Cor. ', T-Memorixe
Verses ae-2s-Commsnts by Rev. II. 8.
Honsnsn.
TCondensed from Lesson Helper Quarterly, by
permission OF II. 9 HOFFMAN, Philadelphia, pub
iisherl
Notsss--v "a. First day, Passover feast
lasted seven days Unleavened bread, THAI
is, bread without yeast or rising. V. ta
Time at hand, time Of his passion. v. 20.
Even was come, about 9 o'clock. Sat down,
reclned on, divans. v. 81. Betray, deliver
up. v. 25. Thou hast said, is equivalent to
saying, Eyes, you know what you say is
So" v. 2s Testament, covenant. v. 30.
Sung hymn, the Hallel Psalms cxv-cxviii
wero sung at every Passover.
In this lesson we behold the Lord sitting
down with his disciples under the old dispen-
satlon 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.
Wa The Passover Is called 1.-THE feast Of
unieavened BREAD" because leavened bread
was excluded during the whole seven days
that It lasted. The entire passion and death
Of Christ, and many precions truths con-
nected with bis redemptive work, are sym
boliEed by the Passover
The movement for the observance Of tho
disciples They came to Jesus asking him
where they should make preparations for its
observance 1t was jesus custom to observe
tho feast. The disciples we're 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 8 and o'clock
In the afternoon Of Thursday, then taken to
private dwelling and cooked; bread, bitter
herbs and wine were required. The work of
preparation was given to Peter and John.
V. la They were directed to 60 to Jeru.
salem, where they would meet a man bear.
ing pitcher, who would render them valu.
able aid. The direction and subsequent
events show that Jesus was omniscient. In
the great crowds Of people that filled Jeru-
salem, the right man would be distinguished.
The man was to be told that Jesus slime 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
We're to be ransomed from sin and death.
Y. 10. It was blind sort Of errand upon
which the discip;es were to go. They asked
no questions, but In full faith on Christ's
word they went. We, like these disciples,
and Ike Abraham, are hidden Of God to do
things which our reason cannot understand.
Faith, however, goes forward.
Y. 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
full paschal company, ten persons was the
minimum number. As they were taking
their places at the table a 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
lesson of humility.
Y. %. The effect Of the announcement
upon the disciples is described in this verse.
V. %. "The Jews, at the Passover, used
bitter sauce, made of bunches 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. n--Barnes. "a ..... ...s
wa. "The Son OF Man goeth." Among
the Hebrews the expression "man goeth"
meant death. Hence Jesus states that he
will die in fulfllment 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. II 1t be
asked how the crime Of Judas IL SO great
when it 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 spart from any determination Of God
3d.. A previous knowledge of q 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, %. Sinners
cannot take shelter for their sins in the de-
crees Of God, or plead them as excuses. God
win punish crimes for what they are in
themselves.
2 v. 25 To ward of suspicion, Judas nerved
himself to break his silence, and asks this
shameful question. The others had in low
ing reverence said, 'Lord, is it Ir' Judas
uses the more formal title, Master, is it Ir'
The straw tells which way the wind blows.
V. 26 Sometime during the feast, Jesus
took the thin cake of unleavened bread, and
as was the wise and pious custom, "blessed
Il" or gave thankR The breaking of the
bread was intended to represent how Christs
body would be broken and bruised for our
sinA 'sThis IL my body" The bread was to
remind them Of him, and the sufferings and
death he should so coon endure
v. e. After the regular Passover was con-
cluded the Lords Supper was instituted The
first communicates were very imperfect men.
Poor, unIearned, weak In faith, they still
loved jesus. They knew, gsry little about the
frailty 81 tketr own 3hesfts Thsy thought
they were willing to die for Christ and yet
that very night they all forsook him and fled.
Peter, their spokesman, denied him with
oaths, that night How merciful the Lord
was infgfving the elemsnts to suchl No
gracelsas person should como to the Lords
Supper But we must ct the same time not
reject whom Christ would receive Do we
love Jesusi That is the main question.
v. %. The "cup" was the type or emblem
Of his blood, his life, which he laid down as
the atonement for sin.
v. 20. The Lord Is done with earthly
rites and at once points to the marriage
supper Of the Lamb, The Passover supper
sublimed the Lords Supper, this N its turn
shall be glorified into the marriage supper OF
the Lamb. There is a day coming when a
feast table shall be spread for Christ and all
his people, when they shall share with him
triumphs, honors and happiness The Lords
supper, coming down through the ages, is ir-
rsfragable proof Of the life and death of
Christ. 1t looks not only backward, but for.
ward to his second coming.
v. 80. After the prayer recorded in John
xvii they sung q hymn" Thus cur Lord
sanctioned and sanctided church psalmody.