the Passover. eat unleavened bread? Every year, at the feast of What was the feast of the PassWhat was accounted the first over? See xix. 1. begin at sun-set? No; at sun-rise. What took place on the day here mentioned? "The disciples came to Jesus." Was Judas with the rest? What question did they ask? Yes. "Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover ?" Had our Lord no dwelling of his own, in which to eat the passover? No; he said, on one occasion, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.* Why did He, who is Lord of all, submit to such destitution? That we, through his poverty, might be rich.t his disciples? What are we One whom our How were the 18. What was our Lord's reply to "Go into the city to such a man." to understand by "such a man"? Lord specified-perhaps by name. disciples to find him out? By following one of the servants of the family, whom they should meet returning from the well with a pitcher of water.‡ Were they to tell their errand to the servant? No; they were to follow him wheresoever he went in, and then address themselves to the good man of the house.‡ Who is meant by the good man of the *See viii. 20. + 2 Cor. viii. 9. Mark xiv. 13, 14. house? The owner, or tenant, who resided in it. What were the disciples to say to him? "The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house, with my disciples." What is the meaning of "The Master"? See xii. 38. To what event did our Lord refer when he said, "My time is at hand"? The time of his sufferings and death. Why did our Lord refer to his approaching death? To prepare the minds of his followers for an event, which they too little anticipated. 19. When our Lord had given these directions, what took place? "The disciples did as Jesus had appointed them." When they were come into the city, how did matters turn out? They found every thing as Jesus had said unto them.* What sort of a guest-chamber was allotted for their reception? A large upper room, furnished.† What are we to understand by its being furnished? That it was spread with a carpet; and supplied with a table, and with couches for reclining, after the Eastern manner. What then did the disciples do? "They made ready the passover." What had they to do, in making ready the passover? They had to purchase a lamb; to get it killed in the court of the temple; and then to have it roasted. that all? No; they had to provide bitter herbs, and wine, and unleavened bread. 20. What time is here mentioned ? Was "Now when the The even was come." What evening was that? (Thursday) evening, at sun-set, when the paschal feast began. What is stated to have then taken place? Jesus "sat down with the twelve." What is meant by "the twelve"? The twelve apostles. To what did they sit down? To the feast of the Did they sit at table as we do? See passover. ix. 10. "Verily I say 21. As they were eating, what did our Lord say, to the surprise and grief of his disciples? unto you, that one of you shall betray me." What is it to betray a person? See ver. 16, 22. How were the disciples affected by this declaration? "They were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I?” To which of them had our Lord referred? To Judas. Did none of the other disciples suspect Judas? No; each one feared for himself. What made each one fear for himself? Because, by this time, they knew something of the deceitfulness of their own hearts. Why did our Lord excite this self-suspicion in the minds of those who were sincerely devoted to him? Because the occasion called for self-examination. What was the occasion? The disciples were about to receive the Lord's supper. Is self-scrutiny especially suited to such an occasion? Yes; it is written, Let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread and drink of that cup.* What evidence did the eleven * 1 Cor. xi. 28. afford of their sincere love to Christ? 66 They were exceeding sorrowful" at the thought, that one of them should betray him. 23. Did our Lord long leave their minds in trembling anxiety upon this subject? No; "he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me." Did that answer put the matter beyond all doubt? ed of whom he spake.* No; they still doubtHow could that be, after the plain intimation they had just received? Perhaps they were looking so intently at our Lord, that they did not observe the momentary action of Judas, as he dipped his hand in the dish. How then did they ascertain which of them was meant? Simon Peter made a sign to John; and John said, Lord, who is it ?+ What answer did he receive? Jesus answered, He it is to whom I shall give a sop when I have dipped it.‡ And when he had dipped the sop, to whom did he give it? To Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. ‡ What is meant by a sop? A morsel of meat, or bread, steeped in sauce. 24. What did Jesus then declare concerning himself? "The Son of man goeth, as it is written of him." To what did our Lord refer, as being written of him? To the many predictions of his sufferings, contained in the Jewish Scriptures. Mention one such prediction. He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me.|| Mention another. John xiii. 22. + John xiii, 23-25. John xiii. 26. He was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.* What did our Lord declare concerning the traitor? "But woe unto that man, by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born." What did Jesus mean by saying, "Woe unto that man"? That his condition was awful. What rendered it so? His perseverance in sin. What is implied in the words, "It had been good for that man if he had not been born"? That existence is a curse to the lost soul. Would it be good for every one who dies impenitent and unregenerate if he had not been born? Doubtless it would. What effect should this solemn truth have upon our minds? It should cause us to stir up ourselves, that we may lay hold of the mercy of God, before it is too late.† Why did our Lord tell Judas of the awful condition he was in? That he might not perish without another solemn warning. Is it the method of Jehovah often to reprove sinners, and warn them of their danger? Yes; these things worketh God oftentimes with man, to bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living.+ 25. When our Lord pointed out Judas, as the one who should betray him, what did the accused say? "Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I?" Did he not know, in his conscience, that he had covenanted to betray his Isaiah liii. 8. Isaiah Ixiv. 7. Job xxxiii. 29, 30. |