* The rulers conspire against Christ. (1-5) Christ anointed at
Bethany. (6-13) Judas bargains to betray Christ. (14-16) The Passover.
(17-25) Christ institutes his holy supper. (26-30) He warns his
disciples. (31-35) His agony in the garden. (36-46) He is betrayed.
(47-56) Christ before Caiaphas. (5... [ Continue Reading ]
1-5 Our Lord had often told of his sufferings as at a distance, now he
speaks of them as at hand. At the same time the Jewish council
consulted how they might put him to death secretly. But it pleased God
to defeat their intention. Jesus, the true paschal Lamb, was to be
sacrificed for us at that ve... [ Continue Reading ]
6-13 The pouring ointment upon the head of Christ was a token of the
highest respect. Where there is true love in the heart to Jesus
Christ, nothing will be thought too good to bestow upon him. The more
Christ's servants and their services are cavilled at, the more he
manifests his acceptance. This... [ Continue Reading ]
14-16 There were but twelve called apostles, and one of them was like
a devil; surely we must never expect any society to be quite pure on
this side heaven. The greater profession men make of religion, the
greater opportunity they have of doing mischief, if their hearts be
not right with God. Observ... [ Continue Reading ]
17-25 Observe, the place for their eating the passover was pointed out
by Christ to the disciples. He knows those hidden ones who favour his
cause, and will graciously visit all who are willing to receive him.
The disciples did as Jesus had appointed. Those who would have
Christ's presence in the go... [ Continue Reading ]
26-30 This ordinance of the Lord's supper is to us the passover
supper, by which we commemorate a much greater deliverance than that
of Israel out of Egypt. Take, eat; accept of Christ as he is offered
to you; receive the atonement, approve of it, submit to his grace and
his government. Meat looked... [ Continue Reading ]
31-35 Improper self-confidence, like that of Peter, is the first step
to a fall. There is a proneness in all of us to be over-confident. But
those fall soonest and foulest, who are the most confident in
themselves. Those are least safe, who think themselves most secure.
Satan is active to lead such... [ Continue Reading ]
36-46 He who made atonement for the sins of mankind, submitted
himself in a garden of suffering, to the will of God, from which man
had revolted in a garden of pleasure. Christ took with him into that
part of the garden where he suffered his agony, only those who had
witnessed his glory in his tran... [ Continue Reading ]
47-56 No enemies are so much to be abhorred as those professed
disciples that betray Christ with a kiss. God has no need of our
services, much less of our sins, to bring about his purposes. Though
Christ was crucified through weakness, it was voluntary weakness; he
submitted to death. If he had not... [ Continue Reading ]
57-68 Jesus was hurried into Jerusalem. It looks ill, and bodes
worse, when those who are willing to be Christ's disciples, are not
willing to be known to be so. Here began Peter's denying him: for to
follow Christ afar off, is to begin to go back from him. It is more
our concern to prepare for the... [ Continue Reading ]
69-75 Peter's sin is truly related, for the Scriptures deal
faithfully. Bad company leads to sin: those who needlessly thrust
themselves into it, may expect to be tempted and insnared, as Peter.
They scarcely can come out of such company without guilt or grief, or
both. It is a great fault to be sh... [ Continue Reading ]