Passover Supper
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We look with horror upon the treachery of Judas; but his case
represents a large class who file in under the banner of Christ, yet are
really his worst enemies. They worship only self and money, and use
the name of Christian as a cloak to hide their evil deeds. They sell their
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integrity for money, and their Saviour for a little worldly advantage.
After Judas had closed the contract by which he agreed to betray
his Master into the hands of those who thirsted for his life, he mingled
with the other disciples as though innocent of wrong and interested
in the work of preparing for the passover. The betrayer thought that
his base purposes were hidden from his Master, although every day
furnished fresh evidence that the thoughts and intents of all hearts were
open unto him.
Jesus met his disciples in the upper chamber, and they soon per-
ceived that something weighed heavily upon his mind. At length, in
a voice of touching sadness, he addressed them thus: “With desire I
have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer.” He clearly
foresaw the events which were to transpire in the near future. His heart
was wrung with grief as he contemplated the ingratitude and cruelty
of those he had come to save, and saw pictured before him the terrible
fate that awaited them in consequence.
The interviews between Jesus and his disciples were usually sea-
sons of calm joy, highly prized by all of them. The passover suppers
had been scenes of special interest; but upon this occasion Jesus was
troubled in spirit, and his disciples sympathized with his grief although
they knew not its cause. This was virtually the last passover that was
ever to be celebrated; for type was to meet antitype in the slaying of
the Lamb of God for the sins of the world. Christ was soon to receive
his full baptism of suffering; but the few quiet hours between him and
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Gethsemane were to be spent for the benefit of his disciples.
“And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this
passover with you before I suffer; for I say unto you, I will not any
more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. And he
took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among
yourselves; for I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine,
until the kingdom of God shall come. And he took bread, and gave
thanks, and break it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body
which is given for you; this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also
the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the New Testament in my