The National tribune., 1889-05-09

SUBJECTS: /. CHRIsTs LAST PASSOVER. 2.
THE BETRAYAL OF CHRIST PREDICTED.
3. THE INSTITUTION OF THE LORDS Sup
PER.
FIRST: THE LAST PASSOVER.
1. Data.
Carefully compare the following accounts:
st. Matthew's, (26: 1919; st. Marks, IA 12-
49,, and st. Luke's, go: 7-13) The first two
were written at Rome and the last at Aehaia.
All three were composed in about the year A.
d. 63, or not far from "a years after the events
occurred which are reported.
2. Preliminary.
Studying the Gospels of Sts Matthew and
Mark, we find account of our Savior having at
tended but one Passover during his ministry.
From the Gospel of ST. John we learn, however,
of the celebration by Christ on three other oc-
casions of the Passover. 2:13, %; 5: 1 /; 6: A.
The first attendance was in the year A. d. 26,
about SIX months after his baptism. e Is, 23.)
The second was one year afterward. %: IL
The third was the succeeding year "a. d. 25).
(6:4) We next read of his fourth attendance.
1t is of that we are now to study. We see the
ministry of our Savior must have extended over
about three and half years. We learn from
st. Luke's Gospel u: II, 42) that Jesus went up
to Jerusalem when IL years old to attend his
first Passover. 1t is probable he continued to
go annually up to said feast. As fai thful Jew
he would obey the law. (Deu., 1911 The ex-
cuse for not attending the Passover would have
to be very good. Some students think Jesus
did not go to the Passover in the year A. ID. %,
and they believe sufficient reason is stated.
(St. John, 6:4; 7:1.) Read st. Matt, 3: 10.
That verso shows Christ was very particular
about observing all the Jewish customs, cere-
monies and laws.
3. The Passover.
The Passover was celebrated at private resi-
dences. 1t was primarily a family service of
worship. Provision was made, however, that
in the case of family small in numbers there
could be unison with another similar family.
All the provisions required for the Passover
feast must be consumed, and great care was Ia
ken to secure enough attendants at each Pass
over feast to insure the eating of all food on
the table. At times number of adults with
out reference to family relation, constituted a
group for the observance together of the Pass
over. So in the case of our Savior the domestic
feature was dropped, and he, with his II Apo5-
ties, secured a room and arranged to partake
together of the pascal feast.
1t was necessary to secure place. Jesus,
with the Twelve, was at Bethany. He pur
posed keeping the Passover in Jerusalem. The
city was crowded, and it was very difficult to
secure conveniences. Providence evidently
had much to do in planning for that particu-
lar celebration. No true Jew would slight the
The Disciples were becoming concerned about
what arrangements could be effected for
their convenient celebration of the grand ma
tional rite Christ had said nothing about it.
The Disciples think it time something be done,
and solicitously approach Christ for instruc-
tions. The Apostolic company had no home
thereabout, and must secure suitable place.
As soon as the Disciples raise the question
Christ is ready with a plan. There was an
upper room st. Mark. IA Isl in certain house
of the city of Jerusalem not yet engaged. 1t
must be secured at once. Two Apostles are
chosen as committee to engage it-Sts Peter
and John. (St. Luke, p: 81 But how shall
they know the house2 Jerusalem was a very
large city, and during the Passover greatly
overcr0wded. a sign was given the two. Not
a long distance within from the gate of the
city water-carrier would chance TO be going
along just as the two Disciples passed into the
metropolis. Women usually carried water for
domestic purposes, but for the crowds men
would be called into USE The Disciples were
instructed to follow the water carrier and as
sured that the desired room would be one of
those in the house of the water carriers mas
ter. Not long after entering the city gate on
came the waier-carrier. Following, they soon
reached the designated house. The proprietor
responded at once TO the solicitation of the Dis
ciples. Some think he was a secret friend of
Christ, as was Joseph of Arimathea. (St John,
1889
We may suppose the Savior sent the two Dis
eiples from Bethany on the morning on Thurs
day. The lamb was to be killed at about
o'clock Thursday evening, an hour which, ac-
cording to Jewish reckoning, closed Thursday
and began Friday, the Hebrews beginning their
days at shutdown. That was about the 18th of
the month Nissan, or as we reckon, Thursday,
March II, A. d. 20, somewhere about o'clock
p. N.
1t is said the room was furnished 1t was
ready for use so far rs concerned tables, couches
dishes, cups, basin (St. John, Is 81, towels,
etc. Though it was thus furnished and pre-
pared" (St. Mark, Ii: 15), yet it was necessary
to make ready for the Passover. A lamb must
be bought, taken to the temple, killed, return
ed to the house, roasted. Bread and wine were
to be secured. The table was to be arranged.
A. Suggestions.
1. Keep our Passover Celebrate the Holy
Communion. Make ready for it by proper
meditation and self-examination.
2. Notice the value of Christian company
aud of associated labor Two by two-Sts. Pc
ter and John together-is a helpful plan. (St
Matt, 81: Il; st. Mark, 6:7; Ece., 4: 9-12)
3. Obey Christ. Go whittier he suggests.
Follow his directions They may seem strange
aud improbable, but they will be found all
right. He knows, foreknows, all things, and
issues commands inteliigently.
4.
furnish facilities for worship.
SECONDLY: CHRIsT's PREDICTION OF HIS
BETRAYAL.
l. When and Where.
We pass on for but few hours The prepa-
rations for the Passover were made during the
daytime of Thursday. Meantime the Savior
and his Disciples have left Bethany, two miles
from Jerusalem, and entered into the capital
SITS. Peter and John probably returned to Beth
any, informing Christ they had secured q suit
able place. Or possibly, to save the two walk
of four miles, Christ, with the 10 Disciples, had
gone into Jerusalem and entered the house
where he was to celebrate the Passover 1t is
plain he knew the particular place, and could
readily join SITS. Peter and John there.
All things were ready. The Is were to-
gether First of all, Christ told the Twelve
how anxious he had been thus to meet them at
that feast How weak were the Apostles
Under such solemn circumstances they fall
into a strife as to which would become greatest
To set matters right Jesus proceeded to wash
the feet of all the Twelve.
Christ knowing all things becomes pressed
down with the thought one of the Twelve is to
betray him.
2. Data
Read the four accounts-St. Matt, %: 81 -25;
st. Mark, IL: 1921; st. Luke, %: 21-23; st.
John, 10: 21-26 They throw light on each
other. Read them for the same reason that God
gave them.
3. The Betrayal
The ancients attached much Importance to
distinctions at table. We recall the parable of