_Sought how they might kill Him_ THE CONSPIRACY AGAINST CHRIST This chapter gives us a sad and sorrowful relation of the chief priests’ conspiracy against the life of our blessed Saviour; in which we have three particulars observable: 1. The persons making this conspiracy, the chief priests, scr... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then entered Satan into Judas_ PROGRESSIVE WICKEDNESS Men do not become great villains at once. Souls are not like meteoric bodies, that are blazing amongst the stars at one moment, and the next in some dark pit on earth, wrapped in a noxious and sulphurous smoke. They are rather like trees, they... [ Continue Reading ]
_Go and prepare us the passover_ PREPARATION FOR THE LAST SUPPER Passover just at hand. Day of preparation. The Lamb to be offered is Himself. “Go and prepare--get ready--for Me; let it be heart-preparation.” 1. This preparation was general. All Old Testament teachings, histories, prophecies, an... [ Continue Reading ]
_With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you_ THE LAST PASSOVER--CHRIST’S DESIRE FOR IT “This passover before I suffer! “It tells us, surely, that there was some connection between the passover and the suffering of Christ, and a special connection in this passover at which He and His... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Son of Man goeth_ THE SON OF MAN, AND HIS GOING I. THE SON OF MAN. 1. Reference of the appellation. Nothing is more certain than that the appellation, “the Son of Man,” belongs to Jesus Christ, and is peculiar to Him. 2. Origin of the appellation (see Psalms 18:17). 3. Meaning of the appell... [ Continue Reading ]
_He that is greatest among you let him be as the younger_ HOW TO BE THE GREATEST IN CHRIST’S KINGDOM I. THERE IS A NECESSARY AND NATURAL DESIRE IN MAN FOR SUPERIORITY. 1. It is taken for granted that the principle exists universally. 2. It is admitted that the desire is an inherent principle. 3... [ Continue Reading ]
_Satan hath desired to have you_ THE TEMPTATION OF ST. Peter Our Lord is conversing here with His dear disciples a little before His crucifixion. In the tenderness of His heart, He almost thanks them for their faithful adherence to Him (Luke 22:28). And now comes a sudden transition, showing us t... [ Continue Reading ]
_Both to prison and to death_ RELIGIOUS EMOTION That violent impulse is not the same as a firm determination--that men may have their religious feelings roused, without being on that account at all the more likely to obey God in practice, rather the less likely. As a general rule, the more religi... [ Continue Reading ]
_The mount of Olives_ THE MOUNT OF OLIVES The mountains are Nature’s monuments. Like the islands that dwell apart, and like them that give asylum from a noisy and irreverent world. Many a meditative spirit has found in their silence leisure for the longest thought, and in their Patmos-like seclus... [ Continue Reading ]
_Judas, betrayest thou the Son of Man with a kiss_ THE TRAITOR’S KISS I. A TRAITOR AMONG THE DISCIPLES. Many of them were weak in faith and carnal in apprehension, but only one a traitor. II. THE CHARACTERISTIC OF HIS TREASON. Betrayed Lord into cruel hands of foes. Professed followers of Christ... [ Continue Reading ]
_Peter followed afar off_ DECISION OF CHARACTER ENFORCED I. WHAT IS IMPLIED IN FOLLOWING THE LORD AFAR OFF. Not giving the whole heart’s affection to Him. II. WHAT USUALLY INDUCES ANY PERSONS TO DO SO. 1. The fear of man. 2. The love of the world. III. WHY WE SHOULD DETERMINE TO FOLLOW HIM FUL... [ Continue Reading ]