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The Desire of Ages
they celebrated this ordinance harmonized with their condition; for
they were about to be thrust out of the land of Egypt, and were to begin
a painful and difficult journey through the wilderness. But in Christ’s
time the condition of things had changed. They were not now about to
be thrust out of a strange country, but were dwellers in their own land.
In harmony with the rest that had been given them, the people then
partook of the Passover supper in a reclining position. Couches were
placed about the table, and the guests lay upon them, resting upon
the left arm, and having the right hand free for use in eating. In this
position a guest could lay his head upon the breast of the one who sat
next above him. And the feet, being at the outer edge of the couch,
could be washed by one passing around the outside of the circle.
Christ is still at the table on which the paschal supper has been
spread. The unleavened cakes used at the Passover season are before
Him. The Passover wine, untouched by fermentation, is on the table.
These emblems Christ employs to represent His own unblemished
sacrifice. Nothing corrupted by fermentation, the symbol of sin and
death, could represent the “Lamb without blemish and without spot.”
1 Peter 1:19
.
“And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and
brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is My
body. And He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them,
saying, Drink ye all of it; for this is My blood of the new testament,
which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say unto you, I
will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I
drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.”
Judas the betrayer was present at the sacramental service. He re-
ceived from Jesus the emblems of His broken body and His spilled
blood. He heard the words, “This do in remembrance of Me.” And
sitting there in the very presence of the Lamb of God, the betrayer
brooded upon his own dark purposes, and cherished his sullen, re-
vengeful thoughts.
At the feet washing, Christ had given convincing proof that He
understood the character of Judas. “Ye are not all clean” (
John 13:11
),
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He said. These words convinced the false disciple that Christ read
his secret purpose. Now Christ spoke out more plainly. As they were
seated at the table He said, looking upon His disciples, “I speak not
of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be