Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-03
INTRODUCTION.


CONTEXT.-The discourse on the tall
ents. followed by the remarks concerning
the day of judgment, both delivered on the
Mount of Olives, prepared the minds of the
disciples for some further remark concern
ing Himself. 1t was during the closing mo-
ments of an eventful day that Jesus pre-
dicted His betrayal and cruciflxion. Mean
while the chief priests and elders consulted
In the palace of the high priests how they
might put Him to death, forming at last a
league with Judas. Thus ended Tuesday,
April f. A. D. 80. Wednesday is known in
history as a day OF silence" during which
Jesus remained quiet 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 apostles. went to
Jerusalem, and made a contract to deliver
Jesus to the chief priests for thirty pieces
of silver.
PERSPECTIVE.-The lesson before us
covers the events of TIL, rsday and the even
ing following. We must approach the pas
sage in the light of what has just been said.
Jesus has now but eleven loyal apostles
the other, Judas, is with the Jewish Off
Gals, plotting for the life of his Master,
which will be sacrificed on the morrow
with his characteristic directness, his de-
sire to seize the main topic, has limited his
narrative to the Lords Supper. But the
other evangelists relate much more that is
Mighty interesting and instructive duke
xxii:7-3O; John Xiii:21 to xvii:2O Those
omitted should be carefully read by the stu
dent, grouped in their proper order, that
there may be suitable setting and color re-
lat1on and significance to the present re-
cltal. The space assigned to this writing
VIII not permit more than brief alluson
TO the other gospels. Our task will be I'M
der three general heads-the preparation of
OF the passover oversees 1S-2D, the institu-
ton OF the passover Oversees 22-25).
PREPARATIONS
CUSTOM-The passover, the first of
three annual festivities of the Jews COM
memorated the deliverance of Israel when
God destroyed the first-born Of Egypt (EX
KID. 1t was celebrated in the month of
Nissan, from the 14th to the Dist day, ac-
cording to customs handed down from Mo-
SEES time and regulated by law. The first
day was given to preparation and it was
particularly mentioned as the day of I'M
ieavened bread (verSe ID, because all
leaven was banished from the house until
the end of the festival. Various arrange
ments were made in the apartments that
the season might be suitably observed. On
the first day, moreover, the lamb was XII.
which was to serve for the repast of which
the household would partake on Friday
after prescribed manner EEK, xi:11-1D.
1t should be remembered here that the Jew
lsh day began in the evening. This prep
aration day, therefore, ended at sunset
Thursday.
DETAILS.-It was some time on
Thursday that the disciples asked Jesus
where they should prepare the passover
(verse I'd. He sent Peter and John duke,
Bethany with instruction to follow
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 all parts to the festival Icy went
as Jesus had directed, and found the man.
This was another exhibition of His fore
knowledge like in the case of the colt
mark, xi:3). A miracle of knowledge re-
fleets as much of personality as a miracle
of power, and is equally a ground of conf
dence. The apostles had no difficulty to set
all things to rights for the observance. In
set. Jesus came with His disciples and en-
tered the room.
OBSERVANCE.
MANNER-The evangelist does not
describe the manner in which the passover
feast was observed. 1t was not necessary
for no Jew would deviate from the mode
laid down by Moses. He NIGH better omit
the feast than come to it in any irregular
way. We may, therefore turn to the law
eek. xii:S-10) to learn that which will en-
able US to picture the scene in the upper
room. But while the feast was in progress,
as well as before and after, various cir
cumstances might lend interest to the oc-
cason, for the participants might engage
in conversation, and even foreign matters
might be introduced.
INCIDENTS-The evangelists there
fore, relate some of the conversation that
passed between Jesus and the apostles dur
ing the paschal supper. On taking their
seats at the table, the whole twelve being
present Gor Judas had returned), Jesus ex-
pressed His desire to eat this passover be-
fore He suffered, and declared that it was
His last duke xxii:15-16). Then arose a
24 to determine who was greatest in the
kingdom of heaven, a subject discussed
several times before Matt. Xviii:D. 1t is
thought that the question grew out of the
order Of their seating, Indicative of
rank. To teach them once more on this
matter Jesus arose, girded Himself and
washed their feet, as an act of humiliation
to be initiated John xiii:3-O, giving whole
some counsel in the meantime. While they
were eating, Jesus predicted that one of the
twelve would betray Him (verse 2D. This
awakened general sorrow, and the ques-
ton, rs it r." was raised by each in turn.
he to whom a sop should be given was the
guilty one John xiii:26), at the same time
delivering morsel to Judas. LIE latter,
troubled in conscience, then asked, us 1t
II" and Jesus replied affirmatively, adding
what thou doest do quickly" And Judas
went forth on his treacherous errand John
Restoring Crucifix in Brazil's Courts.