The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1888-05-11
THE LORDS SUPPER.
LESSON VII, SECOND QUARTER, IN
TERNATlONAL SERIES, MAY 10.

Text of the Lesson, Matt. XVI, 1880.
| Go,den Text, I Cor. Y, 7-Memorixe
Verses .0-.s-Comments by Rev. II. g.
Hoffman.
CONDENSED from Lesson Helper Quarterly, by
| permission Of H. s. Hoffman, Philadelphia, pub.
Usher.
Notes.-V. II. First day, Passover feast
lasted seven days Unleavened bread, that
is, bread without yeast or rising. V. 10.
Time at hand, time of his passion. v. co.
Even was come, about o'clock. Sat down,
reclined on divans. va. Betray, deliver
up. V. 25 Thou hast said, is equivalent to
saying, "Yes, you know what you say Is
So" v. 20. Testament, covenant. V. 30.
Sung a hymn, the Hallel Psalms cxv-cxviii
were sung at every Passover.
In this lesson we behold the 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, H. The Passover Is called "the feast of
unleavened 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 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. 1t 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 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. IS. They were directed to go to Jeru-
salem, where they would meet 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 'time 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 be ransomed from sin and DEATH
V. 49, 1t was a blind sort Of errand upor
which the disciples were to go. They asked
no questions, but in full faith on Christ's
word they went. We, like these disciples,
and like Abraham, are hidden of God to do
things which our reason cannot understand.
Faith, however, goes forward.
V. 20, 81. The paschal lamb was killed
about 8 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 rlates st 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.
v. o. The effect of the announcement
upon the disciples is described in this verse.
". %. ''The Jews, at the PASSOVER useo
hitter sauce, made of bunches OF ralslns,
mixed with vinegar and other seasoning,
which thew said represented the clay which
their fathers were compelled to use in Egypt
in making brick, thus reminding them OF
their hitter bondage there. This was prob
ohlv tbe dish to which reference is here
made. BARNES.
y "a. 'The Son of Man goeth." Among
the Hebrews the expression imam goeth'
meant death. Hence Jesus states that he
will die in fulfillment of prophecy, and that
while his death was not the result of acct
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 it was determined beforehand that
Jesus should be betrayed, it may be an
swered: LIST. The previous purpose OF God
did not force Judas. He acted freely. He
did what his own wicked heart prompted
him. Cd The crime was what it was in
itself apart from any determination of God
Sd. 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, 23 Sinners
cannot take shelter for their sins in the de
crees of God, or plead them as excuses. Goo
will punish crimes for what they are il
themselves.
V. IS. To ward of suspicion, Judas nerved
himself to break his silence, and asks thi.
shameful question. The others had in low
ing reverence said, Lord, is it Ip' Juda!
uses the more formal title, "Master, is it "
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, "blessec
tn or gave thanks The breaking of the
bread was intended to represent how Christ.
BODY would be broken and bruised for oul
sins 'sThis is my body" The bread was tt
remind them of him, and the sutferings ant
death he should so soon endure.
| V,27 After the regular Passover was con
clud ID the Lords Supper was instituted. Thu
first commandments were very imperfect men
Poor. unlearned, weak in faith, they still
loved Jesus They knew very little about thu
frailty of their own hearts. They thought
thew were willing to die for Christ and ye
that very night they all forsook him and fled
Peter, their spokesman, denied him witt
oaths, that night. How merciful the Lore
| tho claimants to Sucll M