The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1890-10-02
SUNDAY MEDITATION.

SUNDAY MEDITATION.
Practical Duties Taught By n Study OF the Inter.
national Sunday school Lesson Appointed for
Oct. IL, 1900. st. Luke, % 7-20.
Zone reading these notes should first carefully
study the paragraph from the Holy Scriptures a.
indicated above.l
SUBJECTS: !. PRELIMINARIEs TO THE LAST
| PASSOVER. Il CHRIST AND THE TWELVE
AT THE FINAL PASSOVER MEAL. III. THE
LORDS SUPPER.
/. THE LAST PASSOVER.
Carefully compare the following accounts:
st. Matthew's, COG: 17-19); st. Marks, (I4:I2-
1B), and st. Luke's, (22:7-13) Tho first two
were written at Rome and the last at Achaia
All three were composed in about the year A.
D. 63, or not far from 81 years aftor the events
occurred which are reported.
2. Preliminary.
Studying the Gospels of SITS. Matthew and
Mark, we find account of our Savior having
attended but one Passover during his ministry.
From the Gospel of ST. John we learn, however,
of the celebration by Christ on three other 90
casions OF the Passover (2:13, %; 5:1; 6:4)
The FIRST attendance was in the year A. d. &C.
about six months after his baptism (2:13, %
Tho second was one year afterward. (5:I)
The third was the succeeding year CA. D. 2S).
Is: A. Wen 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 one-h half years. We learn from
st. Luke's Gospel Il: al, AZ 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. If this be the
case, Christs attendance as shown in the para
graph we now study was his 2lst Passover
As faithful Jew he would obey the law. Deu.,
16: H. The excuse for not attending the Pass
over would have to DC very good. Some stu
dents think Jesus did not go to the Passover in
the year A. d. %. and they believe sufficient
reason is stated. (St. John, ga; 7:1.) Road
st. Matt, 3: Is. That verse shows Christ was
very particular about observing all the jewish
customs, ceremonies and laws.
2. Time
We may suppose the Savior sent the two
Disciples from Bethany on the morning of
Thursday. The lamb was to BIO killed Mt about
6 o'clock Thursday evening, an hour which, ao-
eording to Jewish reckoning, closed Thursday
and began Friday, the Hebrews beginning
their days at shutdown. That was the 14th OF
the month Nissan, or rs we reckon, Thursday,
March IL, a. ID. 20, somewhere about o'clock
p. N.
4. The Passover.
This annual Festival of the Jews kept In
memory the 10th plague in Egypt the dostruc-
ton of the first born of the Egyptians and the
preservation of the first born of the Israeltes.
Ex., chapter IL.
Tho Passover was celebrated at private resi-
dences. 1t WAS primarily a family service of
worship. Provision WIS made, however, that
in the case OF family small in numbers there
could be union 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 Mt each Pass
over feast to insure the eating of all food on
the table. At times q number of adults with
out reference to family relation, constituted
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 Il Apos-
ties, secured room aud arranged 20 partake
together of the pascal feast.
8. Place
IL was necessary to secure q place. Jesus,
with the Twelve, was at Bethany. He pur-
posed keeping tho 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 partieu-
lar celebration. No true Jew would slight the
feast. The time was very near at hand.
The Disciples were becoming concerned about
what arrangements could be effected for
their convenient celebration Of tue grand ma
tional rite. Christ had said nothing about il
The Disciples think it time something be done,
aud solicitously approach Christ for instruc-
tions. The Apostolic company had no home
thereabout and must secure 3 suitable place.
AS soon an tho Disciples raise the question
Christ Is ready with plan. There was an
upper roopl tSt, Mark, II 10 in certain house
OF the city of Jorusalom not yet engaged. Ii
must be secured at ouce. Two Apostles are
chosen ~ committee to engage it-Sts Peter
and John. (St. Luke, 70: 81 But how shall
they know the hOuse2 Jerusalem was @ very
large city. and during the Passover greatly
overcrowded. sign was given the two. Not
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-carrie and as.
sured that the desired room would be- one of
those in the house OF the water-Carrier's mas
ter. Not long after entering the city gate on
came the water carrier. Following. they soon
reached tho designated house The proprietor
responded at snco TO the solicitation of the Dis
ciples Some think he was q secret friend Of
Christ, as was Joseph of Arimathea. (St. John,
10: 35)
lt is said tho room was furnished. It was
ready for use 80 far rs concerned tables, oouches
dishes, cups, basin Isl. John. 49, 81, towels,
etc. Though it was thus " furnished and pro-
pared (St. Mark, Ia: 15), yet il was necessary
to make ready for the Passover. A lamb must
bo bought, taken TO the temple killed, returned
to the house, roasted. Bread and wine were to
be secured. The table was to be arranged.
g. Suggestions
/. Keep our Passover. Celebrate the Holy
Make ready for 1t by proper
meditation and differentiation.
2. Notice the value of Christian company
aud of associated labor. Two by two-Sts Pc
ter aud John together-is helpful plan. (Sk
Matt, 81: L; st. Mark, 6:7 Eco, 1: 9-12.)
3. Obey Christ. Go whittier he suggests
Follow his directions. They may seem strange
and improbable, but they will be found ali
right. He knows. foreknows, all things, and
Issues commands intelligently.
4. BE hospitable. In special be pleased to
furnish facilities for worship.
ii. The PASSOVER MEAL
!. Data.
Read st. Matt, &c 20; St. Mark, ID: IT; st.
Luke, 90: 14-l7; st. John, 1871.
2. Time and Pidcs.\
We may put the time the same as In the para
graph above, save that We move along about
say, ono hour, or TO z o'clock. See "hour," st.
Luke, 22:14 Compare Deu.. IS 9. ST. Matt,
rs: 20, shows that it was 1.-The even" This
was the day Tor EVENING" before the Feast OF
4 ha pagsavar fSt lain a.. Ja,.. l..