The Memorial Supper

How sacred the memories which gather around the anniversary of our Lord’s death! It calls to mind the Father’s love as exhibited in the entire plan of salvation, the center of which was the gift of his son as our Redeemer. It calls specially to our thoughts him who gave himself a ransom—a corresponding price—for all. Then faith comes still nearer to him who “suffered, the just for the unjust,” and with grateful, overflowing hearts and with teardimmed eyes we whisper, My Savior! My Redeemer! My Lord and Master! “He loved me, and gave himself for me.” Ah, yes!—

“Sweet the moments, rich in blessing, Which before the cross I spend:
Life and joy and peace possessing From my best and truest Friend.”

How blessed the thought that he cares to have us think of him and call him ours—he so great—“far above angels” and every title that is named, next to the Father himself— and we so insignificant, so imperfect, so unworthy of such a friendship. And yet, to think that “he is not ashamed to call us brethren;” and that he is pleased to have us memorialize his death; and that he gave us the bread to emblemize his broken flesh, and the wine to emblemize his shed blood— the one to represent the human rights and privileges purchased for all, and of which all may partake, the other to represent the life he gave which secured everlasting life for all who will accept it!

How delightful, too, to count, as he and the Jews did, the days and the hours, even until finally, “the hour being come,” he sat down with his disciples to celebrate the death of the typical Paschal lamb, and to consider the deliverance of Israel’s first-born from the great destruction which came upon Egypt, and the subsequent deliverance accomplished through those first- born ones for all the typical Israel of God.

How precious to look beyond the type which was commemorated, and to hear the Master, as he took new emblems say, “This [celebrating of the Passover] do [henceforth] in remembrance of me!” Ah yes! in the crucified One we can now see “The Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world.” “Christ our passover [lamb] is sacrificed for us, therefore let us keep the feast;” for as oft as we do this we do show forth our Lord’s death until he come again—until, his Kingdom having come, we shall be permitted to drink with him the new wine (the new life and joy) in the Kingdom. (Matt. 26:29; 1 Cor. 5:7, 8; 11:26)

But we are not only privileged to enjoy the favors of our Lord’s sacrifice (by partaking of its merit and its consequent advantages; viz., justification and restitution rights and privileges by faith, as redeemed), but more than this: we are invited to share with our Master in the sacrifice and in its glorious reward. He says to us, Whoever is in sympathy with my work and its results—whoever would share my Kingdom and join in its work of blessing the world—let him also be broken with me, and let him join me in drinking the cup of self-denial, unto death. To all such he says, “Drink ye all of it.” The Apostle confirms this thought, saying: “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion [fellowship] in the blood [death] of Christ? The bread [loaf] which we break is it not the communion [common-union] in the body of Christ? For we being many [members of Christ’s body] are one loaf and one body; for we are all partakers of that one loaf.” (1 Cor. 10:16, 17)

Gladly, dear Lord, we eat (appropriate to our necessities) the merit of thy pure hu- man nature sacrificed for us—for our justification. Gladly, too, we will partake of the cup of suffering with thee, realizing it to be a blessed privilege to suffer with thee, that in due time we may also reign with thee— to be dead with thee, that in the everlasting future we may live with thee and be like thee and share thy love and thy glory as thy bride. Oh! that we may be faithful, not only in the performance of the symbol, but also of the reality. Blessed Lord, we hear thy word saying, “Ye shall indeed drink of my cup and be baptized with my baptism.” Lord, we are not of ourselves able thus to sacrifice; but thy grace is sufficient for us, for we are wholly thine, now and forever.

Oh! what a thought; that if faithful in the present privilege of drinking of his cup and being broken with our Lord as his body, we with him will soon be that “Church of the first-born ones whose names are written in heaven,” and as such shall constitute the Royal Priesthood, which, under our great High Priest, will lead out of the Egyptian bondage and slavery all those slaves of Sin whose groanings and prayers for deliverance have entered the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth.

These will be some of the thoughts which will constrain numbers of the Lord’s people all over the world to meet in little groups (and sometimes quite alone with Jesus) on the evening of March 26th, next, after six o’clock, to celebrate on its anniversary the most notable event in the history of the Universe of God. (We prefer to get the date of this anniversary memorial as exact as possible; though we do not understand that it would seriously matter if we had not the exact day: it is the event and not the day that we celebrate. Nevertheless, a uniform annual date is desirable.)

Eat and drink, O beloved, says the Bridegroom to his spouse. (Cant. 5:1) Let us eat and drink reverently, devotedly, thoughtfully, prayerfully, tearfully perhaps, as we each think of our Redeemer’s love and sacrifice, and pledge ourselves afresh to be dead with him. Meet with any who recognize him as their ransom, and who are pleased to do this in remembrance of him—or else do it alone.

Let your heart be so full of the reality that forms and ceremonies will generally be forgotten, except such as are needed for decency and order. Prepare before-hand some sort of “fruit of the vine.” Our preference is for stewed-raisin juice or unfermented grape juice: and for bread either Jewish unleavened bread or plain water-crackers, which are about the same in substance—flour, water and salt, without leaven. Leaven being a symbol of sin or corruption, yeast-raised bread is not an appropriate symbol of our Lord, the “un- defiled and separate from sinners.”

Special Trials Of The Passover Season

Years ago we called attention to the fact that as the Passover season brought to our dear Lord the sorrows and trials of Gethsemane and Calvary, and was a time of sifting and testing for Judas and Peter and all the Lord’s followers, it would appear to be a time even yet in which our Adversary, Satan, is granted special license to test and prove the Lord’s people. And as we get farther and farther into “the hour of temptation which shall try all them that dwell upon the earth,” we expect these testings to be specially upon “the house of God”—the consecrated.

Through the mails we learn of the struggles and tears and prayers of many—some because of their own weaknesses and frailties, and some because of the frailties of others, and some because of earthly burdens which they can neither overcome nor cast fully upon the Lord. But while sympathizing with these and counseling them as best we can, we remember the Master’s words, “Blessed are those who weep now, for they shall rejoice,” and our heart is specially solicitous for those whose letters give evidence that they are in temptation, but realize it not—those who are being swallowed up of ambition or business or other “cares of this life and deceitfulness of riches”—spiritual or temporal; and with those specially, whose love for the truth seems to grow cooler instead of hotter each year, and who see less and feel less than they did years ago. We say to ourselves, these are like the apostles—sleeping while they should be watching and praying, and the hour of trial will find them unprepared; while some who are weeping and striving are more like our Savior at Gethsemane, and like him will be strengthened for the hour of trial.

Nor can we pray the Lord not to permit these trials of faith and patient endurance; for we recognize that the “very elect” must be a tried people, because of the very object of their election—that they may be joint-heirs with Christ in the long-promised Kingdom that is to judge and bless the world during the Millennium. As the Apostle says, these “fiery trials must try you.” It is a matter of must, of necessity, as respects all who would be graduated from the present school of Christ to a share in his glorious Kingdom—that they must pass the examination.

Ah, if we could but keep this thought before us continually, how it would nerve us to will and to do the Lord’s good pleasure—enduring faithfully and cheerfully whatever our loving Master sees best to permit, knowing that thus he is working out for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. From this standpoint

“How light our trials then will seem!
How short our pilgrim way!
The life of earth a fitful dream,
Dispelled by dawning day!

“Then peace, my heart! and hush my tongue!
Be calm, my troubled breast!
Each passing hour prepares thee more For everlasting rest.”

Let us each, dear brethren, be very solicitous for ourselves and for each other; and counting the prize set before us in the gospel as superior to all else, as the Apostle says, “Let us fear, lest a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.” Let us so love all the Lord’s children that their welfare will be our chief concern, and this will mean our own spiritual health. Yet we must not permit our love even for the brethren to hinder our confidence in the Lord’s love and wisdom in respect to his terms in the choice of his Bride—even though the siftings should take from us some, whose fellowship we dearly cherish.

“Why should an anxious load Press down thy weary mind?
Haste to thy Heavenly Father’s throne And sweet refreshment find.”

“Lest Ye Enter Into Temptation”

“Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.” Mark 14:38

It seems peculiar that there should be greater liability of falling into sin at one season than at another; but, nevertheless, we have noticed for several years, and have before called to the attention of others, the peculiar force of temptations at the time of the Passover, every Spring. Year after year at this season we have noticed special liability of many or all to stumble, or “be offended.” Let us, therefore, take earnest heed to our Lord’s words, and earnestly watch and pray for others and for ourselves; and let each one be on his guard not to cast a stumbling-block before his brother. (Rom. 14:13; Heb. 2:1)

It was at the Passover season that our Lord said, “I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread he shall live forever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” Then many of his friends and followers said, “This is a hard saying; who can hear it? … and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?” (John 6:4, 51, 60, 66, 67)

It was at the Passover season that Judas bargained for the betrayal of our Lord—and a little later on accomplished it.

It was about the Passover season that our Lord said, “My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death.” (Matt. 26:38) “I have a baptism [death] to be baptized with, and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!” (Luke 12:50)

It was about the Passover season that our Lord took the disciples and began to explain unto them that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of the chief priests and scribes and be put to death (Matt. 16:21); and then Peter was tempted to forget that he was the disciple, and took the Lord and began to rebuke him, saying, “Be it far from thee, Lord. This shall not be unto thee.” Thus also he tempted our Lord to repudiate his sacrifice, and brought upon himself the rebuke—“Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offense unto me: for thou savorest not the things that be of God, but those things that be of men.” (Verses 22, 23)

It was while met to eat the Passover that the twelve got into a dispute as to which of them should be greatest in the Kingdom. They thus brought upon themselves our Lord’s just rebuke, and induced the illustration of humility on his part by the washing of their feet.

It was when they had sung a hymn and gone out from the Passover that our Lord used to them the words at the head of this article, “Watch ye, and pray, lest ye enter into temptation;” while he himself was in an agonizing battle, and with bloody sweat submitting his will to the will of God; and, praying earnestly, was strengthened. (Luke 22:39-46)

It was but a little later that the emissaries of the High Priest came upon them and the eleven all forsook the Lord and fled (Mark 14:50): the temptation, the fear they could not resist.

It was but a little later that Peter and John, bolder than the others, went with the crowd into Pilate’s court to see what would befall the Master; and Peter, being recognized as one of Christ’s disciples, was tempted to deny the Lord with cursing. (Mark 14:68, 70, 71)

It was at the same time that our Lord was tempted before Pilate, but victoriously “witnessed a good confession.” (1 Tim. 6:13) The temptations of our Lord followed rapidly. When his foes spat upon him, and crowned him with thorns, and reviled him, saying, “Let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God,” he could have smitten them with disease or death; but, as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth. He overcame, and prayed for those who despitefully used him. (Isa. 53:7; Luke 23:33-37)

He might even have concluded that he would not be the Redeemer of such thankless beings; but, while realizing that he could even then ask of the Father and receive the assistance of twelve legions of angels and overcome his enemies, he resisted the temptation. He gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

The death of our Lord was a great trial of faith to all the disciples, who straightway were tempted to go again to their old fishing business, and neglect the fishing for men. (John 21:3-17)

Paul and the other apostles subsequently had special trials at this special season also. See Acts 20:16; 21:10, 11, 27-36

In view of all this in the past, as well as in view of our own experience since the present harvest began in 1874, we feel specially solicitous for the Lord’s sheep every Spring; and this Spring is no exception. What may be the character of the temptations, we may not clearly discern until they are upon us; for if we knew all about them in advance they would be but slight temptations. Watch, therefore, and pray always; for the only safe way is to be prepared; because your adversary, the devil, is seeking whom he may devour. He knows your weak points, and is ready to take advantage of them. We will each need the graces of the spirit in our hearts, as well as the Lord’s “grace to help in time of need” if we would overcome. “Watch ye, and pray, lest ye enter into temptation!”

“My soul, be on thy guard,
Ten thousand foes arise;
The hosts of sin are pressing hard
To draw thee from the prize.”

* * *

“Whosoever will live godly shall suffer persecution.”
“They have called the Master of the house Beelzebub. … The servant is not above his Lord.”

Our Lord said to Pilate, “Thou couldst have no power at all over me except it were given thee from above.” The same is true of every member of his body.

“A man’s foes shall be they of his own household.”
“They shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake. … Rejoice and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in heaven.”

“The god of this world … now worketh in the children of disobedience.” … “We are not ignorant of his devices.”

Deliverance In Answer To Prayer

ACTS 12:1-19

Golden Text: “The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.” Psalm 34:7

Passover Season Sifting

On the lookout to curry favor with the Jews, especially the influential ones, Agrippa caused the Apostle James to be beheaded, and finding that this brought great pleasure to the Jews, he had the Apostle Peter arrested. The Greek word here rendered apprehend rather implies that his arrest was after searching. Probably all of the apostles were more or less secreted about that time, but, trusting to the sacredness of the Passover season, St. Peter ventured forth and was arrested and imprisoned, Agrippa intending his death directly at the close of the Passover week. Meantime, however, the Lord delivered him, as this lesson shows.

We can well imagine the sadness of the Church at that Passover season, which must have reminded them considerably of the time of our Lord’s death and the alarm then amongst his followers. It may not be proven to the satisfaction of all, but to us for some years it has seemed as though each Passover season, each Memorial celebration, was a time of special trial and testing amongst the Lord’s followers. As Judas and Peter and all of the Lord’s disciples got their sifting at this particular season of the year, so, it does seem to us, the sifting and shaking, by which Satan desires to have others of the Lord’s followers, are specially permitted at the Memorial season. But whether this is a true supposition or not, it will surely not injure the Lord’s people to be specially on guard against the wiles of the Adversary at these times—since we are to watch and pray always, lest we fall into temptation.

The thought of special trial, special temptation from the Adversary at this season of the year, seems to have been the foundation for the so-called “Lenten Season,” or period of special restraint, fasting and prayer, which has come down to us through the oldest channels of Church history. The fact that the “lenten season” is with many today a mere formality does not mean that it is so to all, nor that it was so originally. Strongly would we recommend the fasting and prayer at all times enjoined in the Scriptures, and, if possible, that alertness be specially exercised by all of the consecrated during the forty days preceding the Memorial Supper.

As we have already explained, our self-denials are not merely along the lines of food and drink, but extend to all of our appetites. Nevertheless a very simple and very limited diet in the Spring of the year would undoubtedly be beneficial for the majority of mankind, even were there no spiritual blessings and prayers connected therewith. Winter cold bringing hearty appetites, the result toward Spring is apt to be a surfeited or overcharged condition of the system, from which it needs to be relieved by a measure of abstention, which is as favorable to spirituality as surfeiting is unfavorable.