The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-04-27

Tcdu tile ext y Tile 4lt
12-26-before beginning the following COM
ments)
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. the address on
the subject of watchfulness, given in our
last lesson, Jesus delivered the parallels of
the Ten Virgins and of the Talents, still
further to illustrate and enforce His mean
ing. He then spoke at considerable length
concerning His second coming and the
events to follow Matt. XIV, 3l-46), which
some have applied to the destruction of
Jerusalem and others to the final judgment
of the race. Afterward He predicted His
betrayal and crucifxion, and the chief
priests and elders consulted in the palace
of the High Priest to put Him to death.
Matt. XVI, 1-5.) Thus ended, Tuesday,
April A, A. D., 80. Wednesday is known in
history as "a day of silence during which
Jesus remained quietly at Bethany, the
only recorded event of the day being the
feast given in His honor in the house of
Simon. At the close of that feast Judas
withdrew from the company of the apos-
ties, went to Jerusalem and made a con-
tracts to deliver Jesus to the chief priests
for thirty pieces of silver. (Matt. XVI,
6-l6)
The lesson before us covers the events of
Thursday and of the evening following. We
must approach the passage in the light of
what has just been said. Jesus has now
but eleven loyal apostles. the other, Judas,
is with the Jewish officials plotting for the
life of His Master. which will be sacrificed
on the morrow. That Thursday was an
eyentful day. Mark. with his character
istic directness, his desire to seize the main
topic, has limited his narrative to the
Lords supper. But the other evangelists
relate much more which is highly inter-
esting and instructive. Matt XVI. 1929;
Luke xxi, 7-So; John xii, q to xvii, 26.)
These omitted parts should be carefully
read by the student, grouped in their proper
order, that there may he suitable setting
and color, relation and significance to the
recital of Mark. The space assigned to
this writing will not permit more than a
brief allusion to the other gospels. Our
task will be under three general heads-the
preparation for the Passover, verses 12-17;
the observance of the Passover, verses 1921;
the institution of the supper, verses 22-25.
PREPARAT1ON.-The Passover, the first
of three annual festivals of the Jews, COM
mamorated the deliverance of Israel when
God destroyed the first-born of Egypt. eek
xiii 1t was celebrated in the month Nissan,
from the 14th to the 21st day, according to
customs handed down from Moses time
and prescribed by law. The first day was
given to preparation, and it was particularly
mentioned as the day of unleavened bread
Verse 12), because all leaven was banishe1
from the house until the end of the festival.
Various arrang ements were made in the
apartments that the season might be suit
ably observed. On that first day, moreover,
the lamb was killed, which was to serve
would partake after q prescribed manner
Eek. xii, 11-1D on Friday. 1t should be re-
In the evening of the day previous. This
preparation day, therefore, ended at sunset
ON ON T Thursday' that ha w the d ineIpIese as Some .J tlms
where they should prepare the Passover.
Verse 12) He sent Peter and John luke
xxi, 3 into Jerusalem. He remaining in
Bethany with instructions to follow a
man whom they might meet and ask for
the use of his guest chamber This was
not an unusual request, for houses were
built to accommodate the multitudes who
came from nas all parts to . the festival. They
This was. another exhibition of His fore
knowledge like that in the case of the colt.
fleets as much of personality as a miracle
of power, and is equally a ground of conf
curing the guest chamber. an upper room,
whether for hire or without does not APP
pear, and they proceeded to set all things
to right for the observance. In the evening
tverse I'D, probably after sunset, Jesus came
with His disciples and entered the room.
describe the manner in which the Passover
feast was observed. 1t was not necessary,
for the law had prescribed it so fully that
omit the feast than come to it In any ir-
regular way. We may; therefore, turn to
Viz. a 10 0t' OAOt w q ma w tiNii
will enable us to picture the scene in the
upper room. But. while the feast was in
Gus circumstances might lend interest to
the occasion, for the participants might en-
gage in conversation, and even foreign mat
tiers might be introduced.
The evangelists, therefore, relate some of
the conversation that passed between Jesus
and the apostles during the Paschal supper.
On taking their seats at the table, the whole
twelve being present Gor Judas had re-
turned, Jesus expressed His. desire to eat
this Passover before He suffered, and de-
clared that 1t was His last duke xii, Is,
apostles Luke xxi, 20 to determine who
was the greatest in the kingdom of heaven,
q subject discussed several times before
come up again. 1t has been thought that
the question grew out Of the order of their
them once more on this matter Jesus arose,
girded himself and washed their feet. as
xiii, BID, giving wholesome counsel in the
meantime. While they were eating Jesus
p tray Him. tn Wep Dne 49, 81 'n This sw swak @Onia ge ee-
eral sorrow, and the question, is it ~
was raised by each in turn A. the sugges-
whom a sop should be given was the guilty
one John xiii, 26), at the same time deliv-
troubled in conscience, asked us it IL" and
Jesus replied affirmatively, in form adding
What thou doest do quickly" And Judas
Gohn xiii, 49, When he was gone Jesus
uttered the words found in Mark xiv. 2.
tAANA Mill HAAAt ~ "AAo&1 WAS ~ ~
unfolded during the centuries.
INSTITUTION.-Judas having retired, the
Passover feast being ended, Jesus intro
duced a new ordinance. The Gid had served
its purpose as a memorial of the mercy of
God manifested at the beginning of the ma
tional history. His disciples shall now dis
continue it and put another in it's place.
The Srosser features of the feast were
dropped, the finer elements retained with
new meaning. Jesus took bread, broke it
and blessed it, and gave to the apostles
Verse 22). saying, Take eat, this is my
body Luke says that he added certain
words, SO that the whole would read, MY
body which is given for you: this do in re-
membrance of me- duke xxi. 1917 This
accords with PauIs account Il Cor. XII. pa,
which he claimed to have received by reve-
lation. Q Cor. XII, 23.) 1t is believed that
LUX wrote at the direction of Paul. A lit
tie later Jesus took the cup of wine, gave
thanks, and delivered it to the apostles,
saying, This is my blood of the new tesla
nlent which is shed for many" Matthew
adds (xxvi, 2Sl. flor the remission of sins
Lux says (xxii, 2D, 'shed for YOU limit
ing it, as the bread, to the apostles. But
Paul adds, what Luke applies only to the
bread, This do We. as oft as We drink IL in
remembrance of me- Ct Cor. XII. 25.)
During or Immediately fonowin the in
stitution of the supper there were several
important episodes, recorded by other
evangelists. Jesus predicted the dispersion
OF the apostles during the night. Peter
protested his loyalty, but Jesus declared