"Granny's Chapters" Part 11

6. In the sixth place, the hands were washed for the third time; and the master of the house said a blessing over a third cup of wine, which was then drunk by each guest. This third cup of wine was commonly called the "Cup of Blessing." A fourth cup of wine was then mixed with water; and over this, certain Psalms, from the 115th to 118th inclusive, were sung; and then a prayer concluded the whole ceremony.

This was the manner in which the Jews kept the Pa.s.sover Feast, when Jesus ate it with His disciples. When Jerusalem was destroyed, the Jews who were forced to go and live in other lands, could not sacrifice the lambs in a proper manner; and therefore they used to put a bit of unleavened bread under a napkin, and keep it for a last mouthful, instead of the morsel of lamb.

In the impossibility of continuing to carry out the ordinances of the Ceremonial Law, after the death of Jesus, we see the Hand of G.o.d, fulfilling His Word.

The Pa.s.sover was a type of Christ--signifying the deliverance of His people from bondage to the Devil. When Christ had come, and once for all made atonement as the Lamb of G.o.d, a ceremony to _prefigure_ His sacrifice was out of place. Another rite was inst.i.tuted, "in thankful remembrance of His death." But the Jews, who would not believe that Christ was the true Pa.s.sover, endeavoured, and still do endeavour, to observe that Law which He has done away with.

"And in the evening Jesus cometh with the twelve, and when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve Apostles with him." Then He told them plainly that this was the last Pa.s.sover He should eat on earth; saying, "With desire I have desired to eat this Pa.s.sover with you before I suffer; for I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of G.o.d." Then when Jesus, as Master of the family, had given the first cup to the disciples, "He gave thanks and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: for I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of G.o.d shall come." Jesus being the true Lamb of G.o.d, now about to be sacrificed for the deliverance of His people, would not Himself partake of things, only appointed as _signs_ or _types_ of what He was to accomplish by the sacrifice of Himself. When the supper, or some part of it, was ended, there arose some strife or dispute amongst the disciples, as to "which of them should be accounted the greatest."

For this Jesus gently rebuked them; and then, wishing to set them an example of humbleness and kindness, "He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel and girded himself:" that is, He took off His robe or upper garment, and then bound His other garments round him with a towel, as was usually done by those who served, or waited upon others. "After that he poureth water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. Then cometh he to Simon Peter;" but he, believing that Jesus was indeed the Messiah, could not bear the idea of His acting a servant's part, and objected, saying "Lord, dost thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter." These words should have overcome all doubts and scruples; but in his anxiety and zeal for what he considered to be the glory of the Lord, Peter quite lost sight of his own duty, which was to be obedient in all things, and hastily exclaimed, "Thou shalt never wash my feet."

Peter was quickly recalled to a sense of his fault, for "Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me." Such a declaration might well alarm Peter, who really loved his Lord, and wished to serve Him; and in his zeal he rushed into the opposite extreme, and cried out, "Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head." But true and perfect obedience is _doing exactly_, as _we are told_, neither more nor less; and of this Peter was reminded by Jesus, who "saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit."

But these words of our Lord had a further meaning. By washing their feet, Jesus meant to teach His disciples, that as washing with water was necessary to cleanse the body, so holiness and purity were necessary to cleanse the soul: and that as through Him alone they could receive the latter, He now used that "outward and visible sign"

as a type, or proof, of "the inward and spiritual grace" He would give to them. By washing the feet _only_, Jesus signified, that those who through faith and repentance were by His mercy cleansed from their sins, and redeemed from the curse by His sacrifice, would only in future need to be cleansed from such sins, as the weakness and frailty of man cause him daily to fall into: just as a guest, who after making himself clean to come to a feast, would only need, on his arrival, to wash off the dust which must settle on his bare feet during his walk.

To the words thus spoken to Peter, Jesus added, "And ye are clean, but not all": for knowing the hearts of all, He thus showed that the sin of Judas was not hid from Him: the disciples naturally would not understand these words, except Judas, whose conscience ought to have reproached him. "After Jesus had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him."

These words are too plain to require much comment. Washing the feet, was looked upon as the business of the lowest servant; and by taking such an office upon Himself, the Lord and Master of all, Jesus taught the disciples and all of us, that it can never be beneath us to do any kind office in our power, to help our fellow creatures. Let us ever remember, that Jesus Christ came upon earth not only to be a "sacrifice for our sins," but also "an ensample (or example) of G.o.dly life"; and that it is our duty as well as our happiness, to try in everything to follow His example where He has set us one; and in other matters, to think _how_, under the circ.u.mstances, _He would have been likely_ to act, that we may do the same. This is, indeed, to follow Christ; and so following we shall enter into His kingdom in Heaven.

Chapter x.x.xII.--THE LAST SUPPER.

"And as they sat and did eat, Jesus said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you which eateth with me shall betray me: behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table." The disciples, hearing this, "began to be exceeding sorrowful, and to enquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing: and one by one, they asked him, Lord, is it I? and another said, Is it I?"

It was well for the disciples to be sorrowful, and fearful of doing wrong. When we hear of sin committed, we should never say or think, "I am sure _I_ should not do this, or that"; because we do not know what we might do, if we were tempted as others have been. Let us, on the contrary, when we hear of others falling into sin, watch and pray the more earnestly, that we may never be led to do anything which we know to be wrong.

In answer to the question asked by each one of the disciples, Jesus repeated what He had said, that one of them should betray Him; and "said unto them, It is one of the twelve that dippeth with me in the dish; the same shall betray me." And then He told them that, although He came on earth on purpose to die, yet the man who sinfully betrayed Him would bring upon himself the utmost wrath of G.o.d. "The Son of man, indeed, goeth as it is written of him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born. Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake." But though eleven of the disciples knew not the meaning of their Lord's words, there was one who could have had no doubt upon the subject--one who had sold himself to do evil, and was only waiting for a convenient opportunity to execute his wicked purpose. Even now he might have taken warning, and given up his guilty purpose; but no: he had listened to the Devil, and his heart was hardened against Jesus.

According to the custom in those times, when people did not _sit_ as we do to their meals, but lay upon couches, so that one guest leant upon the one next to him, John, who was next to Jesus, was leaning on Jesus's bosom. John is always spoken of as "the disciple whom Jesus loved"; showing that he was, as a man, especially dear to his Master, in consequence of which, doubtless, his place at supper was next to that of Jesus.

Simon Peter, always eager and active, now beckoned, or made signs, to John, "that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake. He then, lying on Jesus's breast, saith unto him, Lord, who is it? Jesus answered, He it is to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it.

And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. And after the sop Satan entered into him,"--that is, gained more entire possession of his soul; as will always be the case when we once listen to the Devil. What our Lord said to John does not appear to have been heard by any of the other disciples. Judas himself now dared to ask, "Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said,"--which was a most solemn form of saying "Yes." Jesus then said unto Judas, "That thou doest do quickly." Judas immediately left the company, and went out.

Even then the other disciples do not seem to have understood that Judas was the traitor. St. John tells us, that "no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him. For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag (or common purse), that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or that he should give something to the poor."

There were still sacrifices needed for the remaining days of the feast.

After Judas was gone out, Jesus told the disciples that, as in His life He had glorified the Father, He was now about to glorify Him still farther by his death. Then he bade them love one another, as He had loved them: and this He called "a new commandment," because the love of His followers for one another, was to be something very different from what the Jews taught and practised.

Jesus then warned Peter, that Satan would tempt him, but that He had prayed for him that his faith might not entirely fail, although he would fall into sin: and He charged him, when he should have recovered himself, to strengthen the faith of others. Peter had not yet learned the lesson of humility, which would have made him distrust himself. He knew that he loved his Master, and therefore he fancied, that for His sake he could bear and do anything. Instead, therefore, of being filled with fear at this warning, he exclaimed, "Lord, I am ready to go with thee both into prison and to death." And Jesus said, "I tell thee, Peter, the c.o.c.k shall not crow this day before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me."

The Jewish day was reckoned from one sunset to another. The Pa.s.sover was always eaten in the evening; and thus a new day was beginning when Jesus spake these words.

Jesus next asked the disciples, whether they had lacked or wanted anything when He sent them to teach throughout the country, taking with them neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes. They answered, that they had wanted for nothing. "Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip; and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one. For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end,"--an end or object,--that is, everything which the prophets had spoken concerning the circ.u.mstances of our Saviour's Pa.s.sion, was intended to fulfil some especial purpose, and therefore all must be exactly fulfilled. In answer to what Jesus said, the disciples "said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough."

Simon Peter appears still not to have understood that his Master's death was at hand, for "he said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou?

Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards." Peter was not to die with his Lord; but he did afterwards follow Him indeed, for he was crucified some years after, in the reign of the Emperor Nero. Peter, as usual in his zeal and self-confidence, lost sight of the fact, that his duty was to believe and acquiesce without questioning and gainsaying: he needed the severe lesson he received afterwards, to teach him this. Now, in his love for his Master, "he said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake. Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The c.o.c.k shall not crow till thou has denied me thrice."

We now come to a very important event in the life of our Saviour, namely, His inst.i.tuting another Feast, or Ceremony, to take the place of the Pa.s.sover. The Pa.s.sover was a means of reminding the Jews of a past bodily deliverance, and also of keeping them in remembrance of the promised Messiah, who _was to come_, and deliver them from spiritual bondage.

When the Messiah had actually come and finished His work, it would no longer be right to keep the Pa.s.sover, as given to Moses. Jesus therefore, in doing away with this Feast, gave to His disciples another, which was for ever to remind men of all He had done for them.

This Holy Feast we call "The Lord's Supper," "The Eucharist," or giving of thanks, "The Communion" of His blessed body and blood. "The Lord's Supper" is one of the Two Sacraments which Christ hath ordained in His Church. The other is Baptism, whereby we are admitted into Christ's Church. This is only partaken of once; just as in the natural world a child can only be born once. The Lord's Supper, on the contrary, should be partaken of constantly; just as we daily eat and drink to keep ourselves alive. But children do not partake of this Sacrament until they are old enough to understand its nature, and to fight for themselves against the world, the flesh, and the Devil.

The Four Gospels do not give us exactly the same account of what took place at the inst.i.tution of the Lord's Supper. Some mention one thing, and some another; and therefore it is difficult to say _the order_ in which the events took place: that is however, of little consequence, since we are sure that everything they do tell us, did happen during the Last Supper which Jesus ate with His disciples.

"As they were eating,"--probably at that part of the Feast when the master of the family broke one of the unleavened cakes (see 5, p.

123),--"Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body, which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me."

They were to look upon this bread as the body of Christ, sacrificed for them; and in the same spirit they were to eat bread in a solemn manner, from time to time, in remembrance of all the blessings which Jesus purchased for mankind, by giving up His body, or His human life, for our redemption.

"Likewise also, after supper, he took the cup,"--probably that one called the Cup of Blessing (see 6, p. 123),--"and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it: and they all drank of it. And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament. This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you and for many, for the remission of sins."

The wine in the cup was to be taken as a memorial, or remembrance, of that New Covenant, or agreement, made between G.o.d and man, by the shedding of that precious blood wherewith the Saviour blotted out our sins.

The Old Covenant of works, made by G.o.d with the Children of Israel, was now done away with. The New Covenant of Grace was to take its place. In this New Covenant, G.o.d promised, that as Jesus bore our punishment, and washed out our sins with His atoning blood, we for His sake should be looked upon as righteous, because He was righteous: our part of this New Covenant being to repent and forsake our sins, and have such faith in Christ as will constantly show itself by our trying to please Him, and prove our love by doing His will.

Chapter x.x.xIII.--JESUS IN THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE.

Our blessed Lord loved His disciples to the end; and in order that they might remember all the blessings secured to them by His death on the Cross, He appointed the "outward and visible sign," of eating bread and drinking wine, which were to figure, or represent to their minds, His body and blood thus given for them: but not given for them _only_, but for all mankind; and therefore it is just as necessary for all Christians to remember these things.

We consequently find, that ever since that last Supper, when Jesus said, "Do this in remembrance of me," Christians _have_ constantly done the same thing, that Christ then commanded His disciples to do.

We, as members of Christ's Holy Church, continue to receive bread and wine in the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, in token of our belief, that the body of Jesus was broken and His blood shed for us; and that we thereby hope, "that our sinful bodies may be made clean by His body, and our souls washed through His most precious blood."

When you are of an age to partake of the blessed Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, you will learn more about it: mean time do not forget that it was appointed by Jesus Christ, only a few hours before He made that sacrifice of Himself, which we commemorate, or remember, in this solemn service.

After the inst.i.tution of the Lord's Supper, Jesus told His disciples (John xiv.) that though He was about to leave them, it was for their good that He should go; because then the Holy Spirit would come upon them, to teach and comfort them: and that if they believed in Him, and followed in the way that He had already pointed out, they should abide with Him in heaven. He likewise declared, that all who professed to love Him must show their love by keeping His commandments. Jesus, having spoken these things, said, "Arise, let us go hence." And when "they had sung an hymn," according to the custom at the Pa.s.sover, where Psalms were sung after the fourth cup of wine, Jesus came out, and went, as he was wont, "to the Mount of Olives; and his disciples followed him."

Here again Jesus spake many things to the disciples--(John xv., xvi.).

He compared Himself to a vine, and His disciples to the branches. He is the root, without which there can be no tree: as long as the branches remain part of the tree, they receive nourishment from the root, and bring forth fruit: but if the branches are cut off, and so separated from the root, they wither and die, and are of no use except to be burned. In the same way all who will be His disciples, must by faith abide in Him as their root; doing His will, copying His example, and so bringing forth the fruit of good works to the glory of G.o.d.

Amongst other things, Jesus spake to the disciples of prayer; and promised that G.o.d would give them whatsoever they should ask in His Name. He also warned them, that if they faithfully followed His precepts and obeyed His commands, they would in this world meet with troubles, and be cruelly treated and even killed, by those who would not believe in Him. The enemies of Jesus, those who knew not Him Who sent Him, would persecute His faithful servants for their Master's sake. Having warned His disciples that they must suffer for the sake of their faith, Jesus bid them fear nothing so long as they continued to love and serve Him: for whilst they did so, G.o.d would bless and comfort them, and finally take them to Himself in heaven. "In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." Now all that Jesus said to His disciples was meant for _all_ His followers in all times, even unto the end of the world.

Such promises and hopes have supported the "n.o.ble army of martyrs,"

who in the early ages of the Church suffered tortures, and died the most cruel death, rather than give up, or even _pretend_ to give up, their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. The same spirit should be in us: we are not called to martyrdom as were the holy men of old; but should the Lord allow it to be so again, should we be ready so to suffer for our religion? But let us ask ourselves another question, of more practical importance at the present time: Are we willing to give up _anything_ for the sake of pleasing Jesus? Do we give up our own wishes and pleasures to please Him, Who bids us deny ourselves? Do we try to conquer our evil tempers, pa.s.sions, and inclinations, because He has said, "Resist the Devil"? If we have anything like the spirit which guided the martyrs, we shall force ourselves to be attentive and industrious, when we feel careless and idle: obedient, when we feel wilful and perverse; kind and generous, when we feel selfish: gentle and patient, when we feel cross and irritable; and so on. This is no easy task; no easy life. But we must remember Christ's warning, that those who will be His faithful servants, _must_ meet with difficulties and hindrances in their way. Let us then pray for the Holy Spirit, to teach, and guide, and support us; so that, our hearts being filled with faith and love, we "may never be ashamed to confess the faith of Christ crucified, and manfully to fight under his banner, against sin, the world, and the devil, and to continue Christ's faithful soldiers and servants unto our life's end."

When Jesus had said these things, He lifted up His eyes to Heaven, and prayed to His Father, to support Him through the coming trial; so that He might glorify the Father, by securing the salvation of men. Then Jesus prayed for the disciples who did already believe in Him, and besought that they might be kept in His faith and love, and enabled to teach others all that He had taught them.

Our Lord also prayed for all who should in after times learn true religion from the teaching or writings of the Apostles, and so become one of them, by having the same faith, the same wish to glorify G.o.d by obedience to His holy Will. For all who do thus join themselves to Him, Jesus prayed that they may be with Him in heaven. Our blessed Lord thus prayed for us, and for all His followers in every age: and He still prays for us, and intercedes for us in heaven. All Christians are now one body, of which Christ is the Head; one vine, of which Christ is the root; one flock, of which Christ is the Shepherd.

We call this body the Church of Christ; by Baptism we are taken into this Church, and made part of this body; therefore, we must try always to know and do the Will of our Head.