Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-11-04

preparation for the Sabbath, according
TO the Jewish reckoning OF time, Jesus
and the other ten Joined Peter and John
in this upper room, to eat the paschal
meal. There was intense, though quiet
excitement among the disciples. They
had been looking, were still looking They
temporal kingdom. They realized that.
after the conflict OF Tuesday, a crisis
was at hand. There was always an
undercurrent, though unexpressed, of
selfish ambition TO be greatest in the
kingdom to be established. Jesus had
taught them how; He now gave them
an illustration OF IL; He showed them
by example the humility they should
display. the love they should manifest
70 those who did not deserve it.
For during the supper, although He.
kenw what Judas had already bargained
for His life. and had in his pocket even
now the proceeds OF the sale, and would
In few hours consummate the transac-
ton; although He knew that within six
or eight hours every one OF these disci-
pies who now were eating with Him
would forsake Him and fee, that even
Peter would deny Him with oaths, and
John desert Him, He got I'D from the
table. gfrded Himself with a towel. and
in turn, washed every one OF their hard,
corny, dust-covered feet. They would
forsake Him, but He loved them too
much to forsake them. He gave them
this evidence Of His love, this example
OF humility. this cure for ambition, this
prescription for greatness, this demon
stration of how TO act toward them
that despitefully use you and forsake
you.
1t was during the meal, too. that He
disclosed to them a fact so startling
that they could scarcely comprehend it
that one Of them should be a traitor to
Him. Each asked, Is 1t 1? OF course.
Judas had to. too, or his silence would
have betrayed him. Peter asked John.
who was nearest TO Jesus TO ask Him
who it was. This John did quietly, and
quietly, so that no one else heard His
answer. He told John IL was he to
whom He gave the sop. the special mark
of friendship. He then handed the SOP
TO Judas, 1 believe He made this last
attempt to win Judas by this special evil
oence OF love; but Judas had yielded
himself to the devil. and turned down
this divine love again. When Jesus
realized this He said to him, THAT thou
doest, do quickly" and Judas went out
into the night. Eternal night it was TO
him; he had rejected, rejected, rejected
Gods love that would have brought him
eternal day. The disciples, except John,
who knew, thought He was giving him
some directions for the next seven days
OF feasting. John knew because of his
private conversation at the table.
THE LAST SUPPER. ~
After Judas left, ii seems that a feel
ing of restraint was removed from
Jesus You realize how, in the presence
of a third party who is not Thoroughly
In sympathy with you. you can not talk
freely, but that you can after he has
left. Just so It was with Jesus: when
Judas left He spoke more freely than
He ever had. He instituted the last SUD-
per. and afterward spoke those priceless
words recorded in the 18th, 18th and 18th
chapters of John, and prayed the high
priestly prayer OF the 18th of John. And
when they had sung hymn they went
out TO the garden OF Gethsemane. This
was about midnight, possibly a little be-
fore.
Jesus ate the passover meal, but did
not eat the last supper; He said He would
not drink OF the fruit OF the vine until
the kingdom Of God shall come, nor eat
of the supper until Il be fulfilled in the
kingdom of God. He gave them the sup
per reminder of Him, OF His love, His
! sacrifice, His person. They were to
think OF Him as often as they celebrated
IL, and were to do It until He should
come again. The communion service USED
| ~ Sdus 10 LnlIh OF ali IndI
Christ had suffered for me; now II makes
me glad when I contemplate all that He
has in store for me. 1t is not to be a fast
but feast. We must recall the love of
Jesus for us, manifested in His life and
death; but we must also recall His res
direction and His promise to come again
and eat with US when the kingdom of
God shall come. / rejoice In the past
OF His love, and all it has meant for
4 me: but I also love to look forward to
/ the time when He shall come again, and
when. with the loved ones lost awhile
We shall sit with Him at the marriage
supper of the Lamb. Brethren, the past
I is glorious, but the future is inexpressly
/ so. Eye hath not seen nor ear heard,
nor hath il entered into the heart of
man to conceive of all the Lord hath
laid up for them that love Him. Let us
| live, therefore, to hasten His appear
/ ing, when We shall enjoy the fullness Of
His fellowship and His unlimited love.
Is NAMED JlJDGF OF M