The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1905-04-26
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR APRIL 80.


I. At the supper table Tvs. 49,. !.
"The Passover" This was u of the
three great Jewish feasts and was also
called the feast of "unleavened bread"
because only ~unleavened bread was
allowed. Hour was come" His ap-
preaching agony and death. There
was no uncertainty with Him. So
perfectly did He work with the Father
that He knew when He had come to
the close of His earthly labors. DE
part unto the Father" His. entire
passion and ascension are included in
this departure. as taking place in this
n hour. "His own" His disciples.
(which were in the world Who were
to continue longer in its troubles and
difficulties. Loved them unto the
end" 1. To the uttermost limit Of
love (margin of R. W. 2. With a love
without end.
2. Supper being ended" Rather.
the meal having ~begun-that is, they
had already reclined. 1t appears from
Luke's account that as they took their
reclining touches at the table, q strife
arose for presidency; and by this is
explained the washing Of the apostles
feet by Jesus-a reproof and a lesson
on humility and peace. Devil having
now put" Judas formed his plot six
days before this, on the occasion Of
what happened at the house of Simon,
the leper; see Matt. 2e:14. 8. Jesus
knowing" This verse is sublime. An
unclouded perception of His relation to
the Father, the commission He held
from Him, and His approaching return
to Him, possessed His soul. By His
incarnation Jesus came from God; by
His death and resurrection He went
to God. Christ came from heaven to
bring God to US. He went to heaven
to bring us to God.
II. Jesus washes the disciples feet
Tvs. 4, 81.
4. "Riseth from supper" Soon af-
ter they had taken their places at the
table. The washing should have taken,
place before the supper. Laid aside
cloak which would impede His action,
leaving the tunic, which vas the Or
binary dress Of a servant. "Girded
Himself" The girdle represents a
readiness for service. The towel was.
/ to complete the full dress of q servant
or slave. A bold contract between the
Master, who was about to enter into
glory, and the aspiring disciples, who
were too lofty to wash each others
feet, and were anxious about their
stations in life. 5. Began to wash"
We have a very erroneous idea Of the
meaning Of this action if we imagine
that it was performed for a mere ex-
ample of humility, or even as an illus
tration. 1t was simply a humble,
mental service that ought to have been
done by the disciples, but which they
refused or neglected to do. Then He
arose and performed the mental SER
vice Himself. No wonder that the
conscience -smitten disciples were
amazed, and that Peter felt that Jesus
must not wash his feet.
III. A conversation with Peter Tvs
6-11). 6. "Then eometh he" When
it was Peters turn to be washed.
Lord, dost Thou" Dost Thou, the Son
of God, the Messiah, perform this hum
BILE Office Of a servant toward me?
Peter had often seen the humility OF
his Lord, but never as in this instance,
and he recoilel with an unutterable
sense Of shame and establishment. The
other disciples seem to have allowed
Jesus to wash their feet in silence.
Z. "Knowest not now" You do not
see that it is a visible expression of
My whole mission, in which Il laid
aside My glory with the Father and
took upon Myself the form of q SER
want. "Shalt know hereafter" A
little better understanding was gained
in the Masters words in verses IL and
IA; a still clearer understanding after
the crucifXion; better still after PEN
~tecost; a full knowledge Of all that
Jesus did for His own was to be gained
in eternity.
8. Shalt never" Not to all eter-
nifty shalt Thou wash my feet. Wash
Thee not" With the higher washing
of which this is only a type. If thou
wilt not submit to this thou wilt object
to that. mo part with Me-" Because,
/. The first condition of discipleship
was submission to Christ. .. This
washing was a symbol of spiritual
cleansing, and SO Peter understood
Christ's words ". 81. g.. Not my feet
Ouly It SOeS llOu Ouc cAlISule w
the other. 10. HE that is washed"
Bathed; for it was the custom Of the
Jews to battle twice, in preparing
themselves for the paschal solemnity.
"Ye are clean" You are upright and
sincere. Jesus did not mean that their
hearts were cleansed from all sin, for
that did not take place. till Pentecost:
But not ALL" This was a rebuke
which only Judas could understand.
w. Christ teaches humility Tvs. -
~. u. Know We what 1 have
done" Consider what l have done
the meaning and significance Of it.
That He intended His disciples to get
the spiritual meaning of this act is
seen from what follows. Is. Master
and Lord" One who has authority,
whose example should be followed,
and whose commands obeyed. IA.
IF 1 then" The Master lost nc dig
nifty, authority or power by His con-
descending love. He was truly great,
In that He stopped to necessary hum
BILE work when others refused to do it.
I'VE also ought" The servant is not
greater than his master, and you vii!
do we'll to initiate Me. If this lesson
has entered your understanding, cease
all strife for position. and only surpass
in service to each other.
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