Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-05-02

IN 1RODI CIlON-By reference II
the context it will be seen that after tn.
feet washing. studied last week, Jesus re
sunled His place at the table and con
cIuded the paschal supper. While eating
in answer to Johns question. Judas was
pointed out as the one who would betray
Him John. xiii :26). and Immediately lie
went forth into the darkness to complete
his agreement with the chief priests
Afterward Peter was warned and the me-
mortal feast was instituted. Of which
John makes no mention. Mark Xiv:2o
The sacrament and the words in connec-
ton with it brought the death of Jesus
before the little company in "a most so.-
emr and impressive manner. 4 feeling
of sadness possessed all hearts and the
Savior at once offered consolation. (Johrf
xvi:6) In no part of His whole ministry
did He utter more kindly words.
ANTIDOTE-He began by Offering a
specific against every form of trouble
oversees 1-2). a compound of two elements
sufficient to support any heart under al
circumstances. The first of these was
faith. firm reliance upon love and pow
er. but faith Of two kinds. AS good Jews
they had always believed in God-,noW
they are asked also to believe in Je sus
the Son of God. the Savior of the world
well-nigh the last requirement before His
crucifixion, destined to be the prime con-
dition of pardon and peace aftcrward.
tRom.. VII The second ground of soul
rest and freedom from trouble was hope
an outlook beyond the present. an antici-
patton OF future good. Jesus cndeavored
to awaken this hope in the hearts OF His
disciples by saying what he had never
said to them before. that there were many
Tr1 n I'm "a hnv'e
for all who loved Him. OF this they
might be assured by the fact that He had
never stated to the contrary. This truth,
brought in at the hour of separation
must have been very full of comfort to
men who knew that their master would
soon leave them. but knew not then what
might befa'l them.
PROMISE-But hope Is not to be
klndled Dy the mere statement of {. fact.
What if there is home beyond. a man
sion for the saints with many apartments
suited to each. how shall these humble
fishermen find their way there? The
thought may have struggled in their
minds unspoken until Jesus heard It and
answered. One purpose of His departure
from them was to prepare a place for
them to fit up and make ready the eter-
nal home into which they will enter be-
yOnd the grave. Precisely what that
meant, no one knOws-ro one needs 10
know. 1t is enough that the Lord of life
after adjusting the disturbed relations OF
time. entered into the realm OF spirits t.
make habitations for His own. But
what was especially cheering. He will
come again and receive His own, tina,
they may be forever with Him. Verse B.
When and hoy will He come? No mar
can answer. There is but slight hint OF
the manner (Acts. i:1D and less sugges.
ton of the time Matt. xiv :36). and We
may, therefore. conclude that He intend
ed to leave men In Ignorance on those
points. But the promise is none the less
precious. 1t sustained the apostles in al
their trials q Tim. vi:1D and believers In
all ages since have rested in it.
DIRECTION-Thenf followed a state
ment concerning His departure. which
caused some surprise. Verse 49, Jesu.
declared that His disciples knew His des
tination and the way to it, intendins
doubtless to remind them of His en-
trance by the cross into the realms OF
glory. both Of which matters He haG
mentioned to them. John. vii :33; Matt
xvi:21.) But Thomas. the doubter John
xx:2o) did not grasp His meaning, ap
parently attaching a literal sense to thu
words. as If Jesus were proposing a jour
ney of which all present were ignorant
Verse 81 1t is not at all surprising thai
the disciples should fail to see how by al
ignominiOus death their Master would at
tain to that elevation which would max,
Him Lord and Savior worthy of thei
faith and service. (Eph., i:21) Jesus dix
not directly reply to Philips remark
time and future events alone would max,
plain. under the illumination of tn,
Spirit. whatNw now obscure But III.
did call the thought of all back to Him
self as the way. the truth. and the life
Thea way of approach to the Father. tn.
truth or illustration of that way, and the
giver of life to those who seek it
Verse g.
DISCLOSURE. - This reply to
Thomas contained one word, Father. that
attracted the attention of Philip. That
name. applied TO the Deity, had been
used only twice in the Old Testament
Scripture Uer., Xxxi:9). and then not
in the sense in which Jesus employed 1t
NAL. 1853. And yet it was the favorite
appellatiOn under the gospel. not merely
to distinguish person in the Godhead
Matt, Xi:25). but to express the relation
which ought to subsist between God and
man Matt, vi:9b. the character of God
and the feeling of His children John.
V:2D. There may have ZEN before some
questioning concerning this new word
and some desire To know its meaning.
Hence Philip indicated that if Jesus
would disclose the Father. explain the
would be satisfied and would require no
further instruction on the matter before
them Verse -. Then came lesson which
WAS needed more than any other--who-
soever had seen Jesus had seen the
Father oversees : and 81 If the disciples
had known the one Person whom they
saw. they would know the Person whom
they had not seen col. i:15p. Jesus said
this. surprised that it had not been re-
membered that He had previously said it,
John. xii:45)
UNITY.-Had Jesus paused here
some might have fallen into error, and In
all the subsequent centuries tie church