L THE AGGRAVATIONS OF THE TRAITOR’S GUILT. These are to be recognized in two circumstances which have been recorded regarding Judas Iscariot. 1. He was not only a disciple and follower of Jesus; he was actually one of the twelve. These were admitted to an especial intimacy with Jesus; they knew his movements, they shared his privacy, they heard his language of friendship and partook his counsels. All this made the treachery of one of this select band the more guilty and reprehensible, 2, He was entrusted with office in the little society to which he belonged. The treasurer
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of the twelve—although, doubtless, their means were always small—Judas bare the bag, and made the purchases necessary for the wants of the companions, and even gave from the general poverty for the relief of those poorer than they. He was accordingly a trusted official, who abused the confidence reposed in him.
II. THE MOTIVES TO THE TRAITOR’S GUILT. These were probably two. 1. Judas was dissatisfied with his Master’s methods. Doubtless his expectations wure of a carnal character ; he wished Jesus to declare himself a King, and to assign to his twelve friends posts honourable and lucrative in this new kingdom. It may have been to hasten on this catastrophe that the Iscariot acted as he did. 2. Judas was covetous, and was prompted in his treason by the love of money. He secured from the chief
riests the thirty shekels which formed the customary price of a slave—‘ the price of hin that was valued!” Surely it is a warning against avarice and covetousness, to find a professed friend of Jesus misled by these degrading vices }
IL, THE oUTCOME OF THE TRAITOR’s GuILT. 1. It might have been difficult for our Lord’s enemies to have seized him had they not been in the confidence of one of his companions, There were obvious reasons why the arrest could not have taken place at Bethany or in Jerusalem. It wes the duplicity and treachery of Judas that sug- gested the garden of prayer as the scene of this disgraceful apprehension. 2. To Judas the consequences were terrific. In remorse and despair he afterwards took his life. 3. Yet how was all this overruled for wise and gracious ends! The treachery of the Iscariot was the occasion of the crucifixion of Jesus, and this was the means of the salvation of the world !
Vers. 12—26.—The Paschal supper. The Lord’s Supper is a distinctively Christian ordinance, Yet this record shows us that it was our Lord’s design that it should be linked on to an observance with which his disciples were already familiar. He thus took advantage of a principle in human nature, and connected the associations and recol- lections which to the Hebrew mind were most sacred, with what was to be one of tha holiest and most pathetic engagements of his people throughout all time.
J, THE OCCASION AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE INSTITUTION OF THE LoRp’s Suprer. 1. The place in which this festival was first celebrated was provided by willing friendship.
Tcumstantial narrative points to the high probability that some wealthy friend of the Lord Jesus placed the guest-chamber of his house at Jerusalem at the disposal of the Master whom he honoured. There was something very appropriate in the con= secration in this manner of the offices of human love. 2. The téme is very instructive anu pathetic. It was evening; it was the last evening ofrest and peace our Lord should enjoy; it was the evening which preceded the day of his sacrifice. 3, The
consisted of the twelve favoured companions of Jesus. Judas was at the en but retired before the institution of the Kucharist. How sacred and congenial a gathering! How sweet and touching this calm which came before the bursting of the storm! 4. jon was the observance of the Paschal meal. Thus the light of the Hebrew Passover was shed upon the Christian sacrament and Eucharist. Thus it was suggested to the apostle that “Christ our Passover was slain for us.”
II. THE TROUBLE WHICH SADDENED THE Supper. Evidently this made a deep impres- sion upon all who took part in the meal. They saw that their Master was distressed, and they felt with him the touching sorrow. The treachery of Judas was known to him who needed not to be told what was in man. The grief which weighed down the heart of the Lord was communicated by hina to all the sympathizing members of the group. The sin which was bringing Jesus to the cross was gathered up and made visible and palpable in the conduct of the traitor. And the sensitive nature of our High Priest was affected and oppressed by it.
IL Tue spreirvaL import oF THE SuprzR. 1. It was a commemoration of the Lord’s sufferings and death. The broken bread was intended to keep in perpetual memory the body which was broken; the wine poured out to recall to Christian hearts throughout all time the blood which was shed. 2. It was a symbol. Here is the explanation of the Lord’s own words concerning eating the flesh and drinking the blood sf the Son of man. Thus are we taught and helped to feed on him by faith who is the Bread of life.
IV. THE PROPHECY AND FROMISE OF THE SupreR. l(t had a first chief bearing upon
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the past, yet it poirted on to the future; it prefigured the marriage supper of the Lamb. In the kingdom of God the heavenly wine should be quaffed; in the upper temple the plaintive hymn of the sacrament should be exchanged for the triumphal anthem of the glorified, immortal host and choir.
APPLICATION. 1. The blood was shed for many; have we shown our consciousness that it was shed for us? 2. Let every communicant tremble lest he betray the Lord, and ask with concern and contrition, “ Lord, is it 1?”
Vers. 27—31.—Anticipation. Long before had our Lord clearly realized what would be the end of his ministry of benevolence and self-denial, The prospect of ungrateful violence leading to a cruel death had not deterred him from efforts for the good of those whom h__ eved and pitied. And now that the blow was just about to fall upon him, his mina was no less steadfast, although his heart was saddened.
I, JESUS ANTICIPATES HIS OWN SUFFERINGS, AND THE RESURRECTION WHIOH SHOULD FOLLOW HIS DEATH. 1. He foresaw that, as the Good Shepherd, he should be smitten. He was to lay down his life for the sheep, that they might be saved and live. 2. He foretold that he should rise, and should be found in Galilee in an appointed place. This assurance gives us an insight into the considerate kindness of the Redeemer, who not only resolved to triumph for mankind, but took care for his own friends that their solicitude might be relieved, and that his intimacy with them might be renewed.