Middletown transcript., 1914-10-10

NAC GCAN 0c6In I'LL Il6 CO4ucs i OONs
| u:26 P. V.
]. The Preparation, w. 12-15. The de-
tails Of the preparation here remind
one Of the like detailed preparation at
the outset ofothis week when the two
disciples were sent for and procured
the colt "whereon no man had sat"
The Teacher" had need of the colt.
He also had need of this guest cham
Der and some unnamed one was ready
to answer his call, to supply his need.
What host of such unheralded and
unknown, but loving friends he has.
Passover has now come, the time ap-
pointed and predicted, Matt. 1852.
Jesus directs the disciples to the room
OF his own choosing; they were to find
1t following man bearing a pitcher.
This is suggestive of our following
the leading of the Holy Spirit. They
found this even as he said they would.
Jesus never disappoints when he di-
rects. 1t is wisest for US to do his
bidding and these two proved by their
obedience that they were truly his
disciples, see John 8:31. Whoever
these two disciples were they reeog-
ntzed their duty clearly in the words,
THE Master saith"
Remarkable Occasion.
u. The Passover, w. 1921. Here at
eTentide Jesus and the twelve sat
about the Passover board. AS we
look back over the pages of history it
is truly a remarkable occasion. The
Passover was a perpetual memorial Of
the Exodus. Now, in the dispensations
Of Divine economy, this is to be its
last observance. Jesus had been look
ing forward to this occasion, John
$40, II, yet in the midst of the feast
his soul is filed with anguish, John
1921.
The perfidy of Judas was the bitter
ness Of the cup, but Jesus only let him
go when he must and then only with
great sorrow. Judas was disappointed
in his dream Of a material kingdom
and his desire for the possession of
carnal pleasures. Greed had grown
because given food. Hate, stifled con-
science, spurned love, a thief, muir
derer, Judas was guilty that moment
as he was the next night.
III. The Parable, w. 22-25. From all
the records we believe that Judas left |
the company as soon as he was identi-
fled, and before the feast was insti-
tuted. Jesus ever taught by symbol.
We hear much about objective teach
ing, Jesus anticipated US all. From
the Passover board Jesus took bread,
and after offering thanks, he brake it,
saying as he did so, Take ye, this is
my body" This does not mean the
breaking of his body on the cross, for
not a bone was then broken, John
1896; 1 Cor. 11:24 R. V. It does sig
nifty the distribution of his body among
all who shall feed upon him. This
does not mean the actual physical
of the bread into his
body. The bread represents his body,
and like as bread becomes a part Of
the physical body, so to eat thus in
symbol, he becomes part Of us.
There is no question, however, of the
actual spiritual presence of Christ in
the elements Discerning the Lords
body" there is a real feeding upon
Christ, John $50, 81, SO, 55. To par
AXE unworthily is to be guilty of the
body and blood of Christ" and we eat
md drink Judgment" to ourselves, 1
Cor. 11:2426. Jesus commands that
he observance of this rite shall be
continued. It is a covenant which
lis disciples are to perpetuate till
le come" I Cor. 11:24. The ground Of
his covenant between a holy God and
Iinful men, is the shed blood, V. "a,
lee Heb. 9:18-23. AS the blood is the
ife poured out, so he poured out his
ife that where sin is, there may be
and remission, Lev. 1911.
n this symbolic hour the old passed
way that which came in the covenant
f the law by Moses. At the same
ime this, the new covenant, is ini-
lated, a covenant Of grace and truth
7hich is by the Spirit. By the symbol
SIN of this new feast Jesus revealed
is relationship to this covenant and {
hat those who sat and partook with {
i'm were sealed to him in consecra-
lon. His thanksgiving was in the s
ature of alteration of God and the
act that his profound purposes were
h~ut to be realized. This whole cpl
Ie was feast Of triumph. Like as I
he old Passover was eaten with its
fixture of bitter herbs, so this is ]
nged with the perfdity Of Judas and
encompassed with the sorrows of
cath. Still, as those who eat the old l
ere girded and ready, so he was 6
lady, did grid himself and serve, and =
Id pass through death, unto life of
iumph.
Only One Recourse.
The first Passover was the prelude
the exodus; this is the prelude Of
lat of which Jesus spoke in conyers-
g with Moses and Elijah on the
cunt Of TRANSPORTATION. The blood
Christ was shed unto the remission
sin, Matt. 1928. It is the ground
Gods forgiveness, see Matt. 20:28,
ON. 1925 R. ", l John 2:2, Eph. TT,
Id many other passages. There is
me other ground for our forgiveness
an the shed blood. 1t may be old
shioned but it is scriptural and
ayes us no other recourse.
The symbolism Of this holy ordi.
nee is simple, yet sublime. 1t is to
a perpetual proclamation of his
surrection. His death is the central
ct of redemption, the way Of liberty
r the captiVes of sin. The supper is
eaningless apart from this element. =
is true that in its observance we