The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-04-12
THE SABBATH SCHOOL.
INTERNATIONAL LESSON CONTENTS
FOR APRIL Is.


ciples to the Paschal FEAST. This Is simply
note OF the time and place. when
Jesus knew" r. v, Jesus knowing, the
verb being In the participlal form. as In
the following phrase, "havlaR loved" He
was fully conscious that His last hours on
earth were at hand when 1t was appointed
that he should depart, the Greek express
ing the act OF going over from one place or
sphere or another. This is one reason for
or condition In which He loved them unto
the end. "to the end OF all the ages" "His
own" refers to the group OF followers whom
he had chosen, and also the worldwide
circle Of His disciples OF which these twelve
were the nucleus. Gods love never
changes, never ceases, any more than the
sun ceases to shine, although men may
hide In caves and dungeons from its light.
2. "And supper being ended" The R. v.
Is more correct here, during supper. Jesus,
by waiting till supper was fully BEGUN, gave
the disciples ample opportunity to repent
places, and to wash one another's fee..
''The devil having now (already) put into
the hearth ETC.. There was still hope for
Judas, since he was not SO utterly lost as
to plan bis treachery all by himself. Satan
opened the door, and Judas, looking In at
the riches to which 1t opened, walked into
the trap.
8. Jesus knowing" Fully conscious
that he was the Son OF God, with all power
and glory, to which he was soon to return.
This verse sets before US the infinite con-
son OF the act that follows.
4. "He rlseth from supper" This was
the Passover Supper, not the Lords Sup.
per, which was Instituted later In the even
ing. We must not think of u modern table,
With chairs, as this scene is represented In
many of the famous pictures, but we look
upon low, Eastern table, surrounded on
three sides by couches or cushioned divans,
on which each guest reclines, lying on his
left side, and leaning on the left hand, with
his head nearest the table, and his feet
stretching back towards the ground. Each
guest occuptesa q separate divan, or pillow.
Thus 1t was easy to wash their feet one
after another.
S. "He poureth water ir.o a basin."
Over the feet, tor the feet were not put into
the water as with US, but the water Is
poured from a ever over basin held under
them, and the feet are washed In the fall
ing stroam. "Began to wash" Implying
that he had washed some Of the feet be-
fore he came to Peter. "The towel where
with He was girded." The attendant wipes
The feet with napkin, whica he common
ly carries on his shoulder, or which he
wears about his person like an apron, or
lucks IT into his gridle. Note that this
was needful duty. Where sandals are
worn, the dnst will gather upon the feet
quickly; 80 that one coming from the pub
lie bath to his house might need to have
his feet washed as:he entered his home. It
ls a requirement OF hospitality to proffer
water for the washing Of the feet to any
guest entering ones home. The disciples
lad neglected this duty.
q tfThno onnokh IA RI Simon pator -
In the order OF washing. Lord, dost
Thou wash my feet2" The emphasis lies
6rst on thou, and then little slighter, on
my. The other disciples seemed to have
allowed Jesus to wash their feet In silent
shame, but Peter burst out In an indignant
explosion Of protest.
Z. Thou knowest not now; but Thou
shalt know (understand) hereafter" (D
Jesus explained the meaning to Peter after
the work was completed; (2) AS He ad-
yanced In knowledge OF Christ's kingdom,
It's spirit, and its work, as bis own charac-
:er developed, he would be able to compre-
hend how this act symbolized the whole
mission OF Christ, and expressed the char
acter and work OF His disciples.
8. 'Thou shalt never wash my feet" The
negative is the strongest form possible.
Thou shalt by no means wash my feet as
long as the world stands. Peter had not
yet learned his lesson. To refuse was the
sign OF neither humility nor obedience, but
Of pride and unbelief. "I~wash thee not,
thou hast no part with me-" Cannot share
my kingdom, my character, my work.
Q. "Not my feet only, but also my hards
and my head" II the washing meant hav-
Ing part in the work and character OF
Jesus, and being with Jesus, he could net
have enough Of a cleansing 80 precious. In
spite OF his errors his heart glowed with
love to his teacher. Hehad begun to learn
bis lesson.
over. A different word from "to wash"
that follows, which means to wash part,
as the hands or feet. "Needeth not save to
wash his feet" man who has bathed does
not need to bathe again when he reaches
home, but only to wash the dust on bis
ieet then he is wholly clean. The bathing
represents the new birth; the washing the
reet, the cleansing from daily impertec-
tions, the daily prayer "forgive Us our
debts" "And We are clean" They were
TRULY converted, and had been cleansed
from sin by the pardoning love OF God.
"But not ALL" One, Judas, had never been
truly converted.
II. "For He knew who should betray
Him." Rather, as +. ", He knew him
that should betray Him. He saw his in
most heart. he read his secret character.
12. "Was set down." The word means
;eclined, as was customary at meals.
know ye2" Have you understood the
deeper, spiritual meaning?
Is. "Ye call Me Master" Teacher, with
The definite article, the teacher. and
Lord" Ono who has authority over you.
You accept My instructions, and obey My
commands.
IA. ",f i then" The I is emphatic.
"You also ought to wash one another's
ieet." kyparently this is what they had
lust been unwilling to do when they first
came In. Read here vs. 81 and35.
Is. II have given you an example"
copy to be initiated, like an architects
plan, or a.sculptor's model, or a painting
10 be copied. "That We should do as l
have done to YOU" Initiate thu principle,
the spirit, the soul OF the act.
16. 1.-The servant Is not greater than his
Iord." It Is impossible for any one to be
700 great 10 initiate this act OF Jesus. The
great danger OF the church, in this as In
every age, Is pride, self-seeking, and fail
Ing to initiate It's Master In this humble
service for others.
II. "Ifye know these things" implying
that some must learn them in more ways
than merely by hearing; but they must be
known before they can be practtsed.
Happy (blessed) are ye il ye DO them.
Blessed because they are the royal road to
true biessedness; because the blessedness
con come only to those who do as we'll as
know. It Is the blessedne:s OF doing good,
OF humility, OF likeness to God. OF part
In the redemption Of the world. Read
hero va 1898