Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1914-04-09
mEDlTA7roNs FOR THURSDAY

S0HtSIN anu FtOHtoCs d
Strengthened by the prayer and
waiting of the, quiet day at Bethany.
Jesus came to the passover with a
pcise and power that reveal the in
timacy of his fellowship with the
Father
1t is the last evening that he will
spend with his disciples. He knows
that treason is at work among then.
He realizes how severe will be the
trial of their loyalty. He recognizes
that his mission win seem to them to
be a failure. He will devote the few
hours that remain to the comfort Of
On his work. Ii is no ordinary COM
fort, which brave soul may give
those who are to mourn his loss,
that Jesus offers to his followers. 1t
has a great note of power. 1t has a
beautiful message of promise. 1t
thrills with sense of victory.
All that occurs at the Last Supper
aud all the words that are spoken
by the Lord reveal his sense of
mastery and the hour Of the situa-
ton. He is confident that his work
has been accomplished. He recog-
nizes that his departure is at hand
and regards himself as going to the
Father. Clearly he speaks Of reunion
with his disciples and promises them
his presence. And he looks forward
to the future with assurance of the
accomplishment of his mission for the
salvation of men. The disciples were
very sure that Jesus work was not
done. They were looking for great
accompl for which all they
had seen was but preparatory To
them the simple life of service that
Jesus had lived before them was to
lead to the dignity of royal domi-
Mon. But the Master assures them
that the service itself is the dignity.
His mission was accomplished in his
ministry. And in the very words In
which he promises them thrones, he
bids them follow his example, who is
among them as one that serves
So also Jesus will not have the dis.
ciples regard the treason of Judas
as an interference with the divine
purpose. The Master is not untimely
cut off. His work is done. The be-
trayer is no less guilty. 1t Is his
own dreadful, voluntary act, and the
result to him must be terrible But
he is not permitted to mar the com
pIeteness Of the Savior's mission.
The Son of Man goeth, even as it is
written of him: but woe unto that
man through whom the Son of Man
is betrayed Good were it for that
man If he had not been born"
The Memorial Supper ever speaks
to US of Jesus work well done; that
life SO wonderfully lived. that death
so wonderfully died. The remem-
brance of his complete devotion is the
original comfort and inspiration of
the church. Greater love hath no
man than this, that a man lay down
his life for his friends. In the early
days after the Pentecost the disciples
met together and broke bread in
memory of their master who had died
for them. He finished his work and
the world can never forget.
There is no power IN the world to
hurt man who has such a faith.
The traitor may stink out in the dark.
ness and make his way to the priests
who have bought him. The Sanhe.
drin may violate its own solemn
rites of procedure and may condemn
him without evidence. The coWardly
procurator may yield to the franzied
cry for blood, and deliver him to be
crucified. But none of them can harm
Jesus. He is going to the Father.
Even his friends will forsake him and
leave him alone. But he is not alone,
for the Father is with him.
In this supreme hour there.is re,
vealed the central thought in Jesus
life and teachings. And it is part OF
the wonder of his life and teaching
that they may so simply be summed
UP in a word. He lived as one who
belonged to God and found all the ex.
PLANTATION of life and destiny in that
blessed relationship. And his teach.
ing was that we also should be chill.