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392
From Heaven With Love
employed to represent His own unblemished sacrifice. See
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 received from Jesus the emblems of His bro-
ken body and spilled blood. Sitting in the very presence of the Lamb
of God, the betrayer brooded on his dark purposes, and cherished
his revengeful thoughts.
At the feet washing, Christ had given convincing proof that He
understood the character of Judas. “Ye are not all clean,” He said.
John 13:11
. Now Christ spoke out more plainly: “I speak not of
you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be
fulfilled, He that eateth bread with Me hath lifted up his heel against
Me.”
Even now the disciples did not suspect Judas. But a cloud settled
over them, a premonition of some dreadful calamity. As they ate
in silence, Jesus said, “Verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall
betray Me.” Consternation seized them. How could any one of
them deal treacherously with their divine Teacher? Betray Him? To
whom? Surely not one of the favored Twelve!
As they remembered how true His sayings were, fear and self-
distrust seized them. With painful emotion, one after another in-
quired, “Lord, is it I?” But Judas sat silent. John at last inquired,
[441]
“Lord, who is it?” And Jesus answered, “He that dippeth his hand
with Me in the dish, the same shall betray Me.” The silence of Judas
drew all eyes to him. Amid the confusion of questions and aston-
ishment, Judas had not heard the words of Jesus in answer to John’s
question. But now, to escape the scrutiny of the disciples, he asked
as they had done, “Master, is it I?” Jesus solemnly replied, “Thou
hast said.”
In surprise and confusion at the exposure of his purpose, Judas
rose hastily to leave the room. Then said Jesus, “That thou doest, do
quickly... . He then having received the sop went immediately out: