_PLANNING THE BETRAYAL_ ‘The chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill Him … Then entered Satan into Judas … And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money.’ Luke 22:2 No part of our Lord’s history is so fully given by all the Gospel writers as this: only two of them describe the... [ Continue Reading ]
_CHRIST AND THE PASSOVER_ ‘And He said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer.’ Luke 22:15 What were the reasons why the Saviour desired so earnestly to join in this last Passover before He suffered? I. THE PASSOVER HAD NOW REACHED ITS END AND FOUND... [ Continue Reading ]
_IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME_ ‘This do in remembrance of Me.’ Luke 22:19 We may, perhaps, obtain clear views of the nature of this central rite of the Christian Church if we regard it from four standpoints. Let us look upon it as— I. AN ACT OF OBEDIENCE. II. A feast of thanksgiving. III. A service o... [ Continue Reading ]
_THE TRUE WAY TO GREATNESS_ ‘And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.’ Luke 22:24 The disciples had not yet clearly understood the true design of Christ’s mission, and the nature of His Kingdom; and hence the _ strife_ which rose among them concernin... [ Continue Reading ]
_STRENGTHEN THY BRETHREN_ Luke 22:31 After the strange struggle for the greatest position in that small party, the Lord gives them His warning, and lays down the condition of greatness in the new kingdom, that it is the chief among them who shall serve even as He had served. And then, having no do... [ Continue Reading ]
_BUY A SWORD_ ‘Be that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.’ Luke 22:36 This is a remarkable text, but strangely overlooked. It must evidently be taken figuratively. The sword is only an emblem. It was meant to teach His disciples that after their Master left the world they must... [ Continue Reading ]
_THE AGONY OF CHRIST_ ‘And being in an agony He prayed more earnestly: and His sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.’ Luke 22:44 There are no flowers so beautiful as those which grow in Gethsemane and in the Garden by the Cross. Gethsemane has been called ‘the rose... [ Continue Reading ]
_THE SAVIOUR’S LOOK_ ‘And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter.’ Luke 22:61 I. THE LORD’S LOOK.—Has there ever been a painter who had genius enough—it would have to be genius direct from heaven—to paint the look that Christ cast upon St. Peter? There would be, at least, three things in that lo... [ Continue Reading ]