The Pulpit Commentary — Luke — Volume 2 — Section 221

wickeilness which goes on in the world; a cowardice, moreover, which is gcnernlly overtaken by jnst and terrible retribution. lT. PREPARATIONS FOR TlIE LAST PASSOVER. (Vers. 7-13.) Jesus meanwhile clirects the two disciples, Peter and John, to make ready the Passover. He so times tl~e celebrnlion as to have it over on the Thursday night of the Passover week, and wnhout haste, to secure the further preparation which his spirit required. And here we liave the facts set before us (1) that he owed accommodation to the consideration of a stranger; and (2) that his supernatural knowledge guided the disciples in their quest of a guest-chamber. There, then, in the guest-chamber of a stranger, without taking the lamb to the temple, but in the primitive fashion, the two faithful men made ready for their Master. It was a recurrence to the primitive ritual. HI. THE PASSOVER FEAST. (Vers. 14-18.) With the twelve accordingly he comes at the appointed hour, and sits down to the significant feast. He tells them with what desire he had contemplated this last Passover before he should suffer. He will not a"ain cat of it till it is fol filled in the kingdom of God. The order of celebration was first"the passing round of the wine-cup; next, the bitter herbs, dipped, as salad would be, in a red sauce made of almonds, nuts, figs, and other fruits; next, another wine-cup, after which the father of the family explained the nature of the rite; then came the morsel of unleavened bread and the piece of the roast lamb, made palatable by the aforesaid sauce; the last act was the passing round of a third wine-cup (cf. Godet, in Zoe.). lt must have been a touching and tender type in the eyes of him who was so soon to be offered. We should have listened to bis explanations on that occasion with pecu- liar interest. His references must have been somewhat veiled in presence of the betrayer, yet sufficiently explicit to have broken ordinary hearts. It was a marvellous feast-the Paschal Lamb himself partaking of the Passover; the Anti type experiencing a special benefit through the study of the type I What a solemnity, moreover, is thrown over the whole scene through his indication that it is all shortly to be fulfilled I IV. THE INSTITUTION OF THE Lonn's SUPPER. (Vera. 19, 20.) Upon the more formidable feast, which is to pass away on fulfilment, Jesus founds a simpler feast, to be celebrated till be comes again. It is to consist of bread and wine, two of the elements there at the table. The bread is to represent his body, which is to be broken for his people; and the wine his blood, which is for them to be shed. fo this way a memorial more lasting than brass or marble is to be reared, and his gracious presence is to be €Xperienced in the Christian Church. 'l'be new institution was a promise of the most gracious kind, regarding the season when he would be absent from them. V. 'l'HE INTIMATION OF THE BETRAYAL. (Vers. 21-23.) Along with the solemn joy there is dashed profoundest sorrow at the intimation of betrayal by one of the apostolic band. A traitor is there, and they should know it. Good sign in that each !'.Jan suspects himself! They all, except Judas, ask Christ if it is he. Last of all, it would seem, came the inquiry of the real traitor. But this unenrthing of the false one does not shake him from his foul purpose. Obrist could not do more for him than he here does, even though it does not save him. How salutary is self-suspicion I How dangerous self-confidencel-R. M. E. Vers. 24---38.-77ie proper Christian spirit. Through our Lord's faithful dealing the disci pies had been led to wholesome sell:..suspicion. 'l'bey cried out at the possibility of a betrayal of the Master, "Lord, is it I?" But no sooner have their minds been relieved through the singling out of Judas than they swing round again to self-con- fidence and even base ambition. '!'here, at the table of the Lord, in spite of the hallowed associations, they speculate who is to be greatest in the coming kingdom. JesUB has consequently to check this nascent ~mbition. He does so by ennobling- !. THE SPIRIT OF SERVICE. (Vers. 24-27.) Now, the world's idea. is that it is noble to exercise authority, to be able to order people about. In fact, the world has come to call men "benefactors" who have done nothing but command other people. What tributes are paid to princes, who have done nothing all their lives but issue orders and receive the homage and service of other people I A blear-eyed world is ready, as Christ here shows, to pronouuce such princes the benefactors of their a~e and country. But he has come into the world to ennoble the opposite idea. Here at this very feast ho has been as ono that sen·eth. His whole life, moreo1·er, has been a public bervicr.. Every- en. XXII. 1-71.J THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TG ST. LUKE. 231