The Pulpit Commentary — Luke — Volume 2 — Section 200

HOMILETICS. Vers. 1-30.-Weclnesday and Thursday of Passion Week. Look a.t t'hat picture- the Son of God awaiting the hour; spending the last day before the arrest and the trfal in the d('ep seclusion of the Bethany home. Over that day the veil of an impenetrable secrecy hangs. One thing only is certain-it was a time in which the sbrinkina spirit, whilst feeling even unto death the shadow of the exceeding heaviness, never: theless drank of the brook by the way, the comforting "I am not alone, for the Father is with me." Look at this picture - the priests and scribes, defied and denounced in the temple and in the presence of the people, have resolved that, b_v fair means or by foul, they must get rid of this "Swift Witness" against them. The8e men, nnited by a common hatred, consult (ver. 2) how they may kill him. We can imagine the conferences in the dimly lighted chamber-the partial light only castina deeper shadows, and briaging into fuller relief the lines of fierce resentment on th: faces of the councillors. There is no debate as to the object; the only and the long debate is simply as to the means of accomplishing the object. Their deliberations are unexpectedly aided. The evangelist informs us of the satisfaction which lightens their countenances as they conclude the bargain with J ndas of Karioth, and receive from him the assurance that he will find" the opportunity to betray him to them" (ver. 6) with- out the risk of exciting a tumult. Thus, whilst heaven is calm, hell is agitated at its depths; whilst love is directing its prayer and looking up, pride and envy are laying their plots and meditating the darkest crime which blots the page of history. "Mark the perfect, and behold the upright; for the end of that man is peace." "But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt." The early hours of Thursday swiftly pass. The next day is the great Passover day; and the disciples have begun to press the inquiry, "Where shall we keep it?" In the forenoon (ver. 8) Jesus gives Peter and John his instructions. A place is in the Lord's view. That the one to whose house the apostles are directed was a believer may be inferred (1) from the word which the three synoptists represent the Lord as using, "The Master saith" (ver. 11); and (2) from the confidential character of the mess11ge. The two are commanded to go in advance of the party, and have all in readiness for a celebration of the Paschal meal, which probably anticipated by one day the usual celebration of the Lord'~ Passover. Christ and the remaining ten apostles follow in the evening. Nothing is told us of that journey, whether, e.g., it was private, or whether, as usual. Jesus was accompanied by a multitude of people. It is the last time on which the feet of the Christ who had been known after the flesh shall press the grassy slope of the hill he loved. But he had spken to hie own of another day, that foretold in prophecy, when" his feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east . . . the day when the light shall not be clear nor dark, but one day known to the Lord. And livina waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea; . . . and the Lord shall be King over all the earth" (Zech. xiv. 4-9). .All that is reported is this: "When the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him" (ver. 14). The details ot that memorable evening are full of interest; and, regarding them, the narratives of the evangtlists are singularly explicit. "The four streams that go forth to water the earth in that tale meet in a common channel; the four winds of the Spirit are in it, united and one." The scene is (vers. 11, 12) "a large upper room "-the guest-chamber of the house. (For distinction, emphasize "the guest-chamber.") 1. Its object. To receive and entertain the Friend, the one to be honoured. ls not Christ the Guest (Rev. iii. :LO)? 2. Its eharacteristi,cs. The best room. Is he not entitled to the best? A large ro,;m, The whole breadth of the life's aime, the whole strength of the heart's love, is ou. xxn. 1-71.] THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. LUKE. 209