T HE K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S eventful last one! A history of one people whose King has come, has been rejected and now reclines at the table with a dozen men to partake of the last meal before His crucifixion. The order of events connected with the Passover Feast is as follows: (1) The Lord and His disciples at the table. (2) The contention as to who should be greatest. (3) The feeit washing. (4) The identification of Judas as the traitor. (5) The withdrawal of Judas. (6) The institution of the supper. (7) The words of Jesus while still in the room, (Matt. 26:26-29; Luke 22:35-38; Jno. 13:31-35; 14:1-31). (8) The words of Jesus between the room and the garden, (Mat't. 26:31-35; Mark 14:26-31; Jno. 15:16, 17). (It seems probable that the high priestly prayer, (John 17) was uttered after they reached the garden.) (9) The agony in the Garden. (10) Jesus before Caiaphas; Peter’s denial. The Passover was a type of Christ as Redeemer. A lamb without blemish was slain,* (John 1:29; 1 Pet. 1:19). Slain from the foundation of the world, (Rev. 13:8). The Passover commem orated the deliverance of Israel from Egypt, (Ex. 12:1-28). It was observed on that night wheln Israel departed from the land. It was a solemn, yet joyful feast. The victim was a lamb (John 1:29); without blemish, (1 Pet. 1:19); slain by all Israel, (Matt. 27:35). The sprinkled blood upon the doorpost and lintel assured safety, (1 John 1:7, Heb. 12:24). Christ cruci fied is the only hopei. Christ received is the only refuge for lost souls. The Betrayer. During the meal the Lord made the announcement that one of those present should betray Him. This statement fell like a pall upon all but one of the disciples. Each one
261
was looking into his own heart and wondering whether he could be guilty of such a sin. The human heart is “deceitful above all things and desper ately wicked, (Jer. 17:9). Only God Himself knows the depth of human de pravity, (John 2:25). “ And needed not th at an y should te stify of m an ; fo r H e k n ew w h a t w a s in man.” Judas was the treasurer and a money lover. The love of money is the root of all evil, (1 Tim. 6:10). For money, Joseph was sold by his brethren and Samson was betrayed to the Philistines. For money, Gehazi deceived Naaman and lied to Elisha. For money, Ana nias and Sapphira deceived the early church and lied to Peter and the Holy Ghost, and for money God’s precious Son was sold into- the hands of His enemies. An awful woe is pronounced upon Judas: “It had been good for that man if he had not beien born.” It would have been better never to have lived than to live and reject Jesus Christ. There is no room in the light of this statement for universalism or for annihilation. There is no change in that world of darkness into which Judas and those who follow in his foot steps are projected, where their worm never dies and the fire is not quenched, (Mark 9:44). A Feast. The host is the Lord Him self. He presides. It is His table. Here He entertains His friends. Bread and wine blessed by the King of Heaven. Here He welcomes all alike. He is the center of all eyes and all thought. . A Fellowship. Here all the children of God can unite. No initiation, no secret meetings, no regalia, no ritual, no grips, no vows, and yet the strong est tie that ever held the hearts of men in a bond of the brotherhood. It recog nizes no cast, no color, no conditions, no distinctions; united in one bond of faith; in love and joy they are strength ened, sanctified and built up. A Profession of Faith. In this feast we aré permitted to testify to our faith
Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker