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by JOHN E. WOODLAND His heart was heavy with a weight that He would not conceal. His men had been contentious and they willed to disagree On who should be the greatest in the kingdom yet to be. The Master then rebuked His men by rising from His seat To humbly act with perfect tact — to wash and wipe their feet. The twelve disciples marveled at the manner o f their Lord Whose quiet words of stem re proof were sharper than a sword. He taught a mighty lesson and He took His place again To share the sacred supper with humiliated men. But soon a spell o f tenseness fell, for Jesus testified That verily, He soon would be betrayed and then denied. “ Betrayed,” said He, “by one of you — betrayed and sent to die.” Then, one by one the men be gan to ask Him, “ Is it I ?” Oh, who would sell the Master to a place among the dead? Then Judas questioned, “ Is it I?” He answered, “ Thou hast said.” And Judas knew the words were true ; his thought was brought to light. He left his place and in dis
J erusalem lay silently beneath the evening sky; The solemn celebration o f the Passover was nigh. The faithful o f the city, from the greatest to the least Would honor God and Moses by the keeping o f the feast. The city great began its wait, its vigil, and its prayer, And darkness fell to cast its spell on those abiding there. But deep dissatisfaction grieved the heart of Israel, For she longed for her Messiah— for her Christ, Emmanuel. For centuries she yearned to see the coming of her King, The majesty and power that His mighty reign would bring. But Jewish pride was mortified, and hope had all but failed, For scores of years with all their tears had not at all availed. But there in yonder city with its discontent and gloom, A band of Jews assembled in a furnished upper room. A Galilean teacher was the center of the scene; Surrounded by a dozen men was Christ the Nazarene. They thought that He should surely be the chosen One of God Whose righteous hand would rule the land as with an iron rod. As Jesus sat among His men be fore the sacred meal,
grace went out, and it was night. The men were stunned by what they saw, but failed to real ize The magnitude of what was tak ing place before their very eyes. But Jesus knew His hour was come, and He must leave His own, Ordained of God to give His life forsaken and alone. The chosen few were stirred anew as Jesus let them know The purpose of His life of love, the reason for His woe. His blood must flow for all man kind — for human sin and shame Ere He return to God on high, the One from whom He came. He spoke to them more dearly than He ever had before, And they were grieved to think that they would see His face no more. “ I go away,” they heard Him say in words of tender love; But He would send the Holy Friend, His Spi ri t , from above. So Jesus drew Himself aside in old Gethsemane With fiery Simon Peter and the sons o f Zebedee. He plead that they should watch and pray, for sorrow did abound. He went a little farther, and He fell upon the ground.
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TH E KING'S BUSINESS
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