26

24 In God's own time Jerusalen shall again raise her widowed head and her sons again be established in her borders*.

the destruction of Jerusalem, and the 26 These signs applied primarily to coming of the Roman armies as instruments of divine vengeance. But they represented also the final coming of the Son of man to judgment.

thereinto. For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. 24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; when they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. 32 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. "And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. And in the day time he was

know

32 Many survived the destruction of Jerusalem: which event took place forty years after the ascension of our blessed Lord.

34 A worldly course ill becomes those who are watching for the coming of their Lord. You are so watching. Watch therefore, and pray.

* The Jewish historian inform us, that 1,100,000 Jews perished during the siege of Jerusalem; and that 95,000 were carried away captive.

teaching in the temple; and at night he went out, and abode

38 Thou art now hearkening to his written words. Take heed how thou hearest.

in the mount that is called the
mount of Olives. 38 And all
the people came early in the
morning to him in the temple, for to hear him.

CHAPTER XXII.

MARCH 11, JULY 10, Nov. 6.

1 Let us rejoice in Christ, our passover; and pray, that when the angel of vengeance seeth our souls sprinkled with his blood, he will pass over. (See Exod. xii. 13.)

Now the feast of unlea-
vened bread drew nigh, which
is called the passover. And
the chief priests and scribes
sought how they might kill
him; for they feared the people. Then entered Satan into
Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.
And he went his way, and 4 Mark the deliberate, the pre-
communed with the chief
sumptuous sin! Mark, too, the base
priests and captains, how he motive; even the love of money.
might betray him unto them. And they were glad, and cove-
nanted to give him money. And he promised, and sought
opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the
multitude. Then came the day of unleavened bread, when
the passover must be killed. And he sent Peter and John,
saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat.
And they said unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare?
10 And he said unto them,
Behold, when ye are entered
into the city, there shall a
man meet you, bearing a
pitcher of water; follow him
into the house where he entereth in. And ye shall say unto
the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where
is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the
passover with my
disciples? And he shall shew you a large upper room fur-
nished: there make ready. And they went, and found as he
had said unto them: and they made ready the passover. And
when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles
with him. 15 And he said
unto them, With desire I
have desired to eat this pass-
over with you before I suffer:
for I say unto you, I will not
any more eat thereof, until it
be fulfilled in the kingdom

these minute circumstances hap-
10 When the disciples found that
pened exactly as their Lord had said,
their faith in his omniscience must
have been complete.

15 Thus the Christian, when death

approaches, gathers together his fa-
mily, and partakes again with them
of Christ, their passover; that so he
may himself be fortified against his
theirs. HE, for death: THEY for sor
trial; and they, strengthened against
row.

22

22 God foresees all things: but the will of man is free, and God is free to use man's agency. Of this blessed truth however we are fully assured, that He finally overrules all things for our good.

of God. And he took the cup, and 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 God shall come. 19 And 19 What a winning motive for obehe took bread, and gave dience even gratitude to a loved thanks, and brake it, and and dying Benefactor! Shall his gave unto them, saying, This dying request be unheeded by Thee! is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you. But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table. And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed! And they began to enquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing. And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest. And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth. Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; that 30 These promises are to be underye may eat and drink at my stood of spiritual blessings. table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. $1 And the 31 Peter loved his Master; who Lord said, Simon, Simon, therefore prayed for him. O blessed behold, Satan bath desired Jesus! Master! pray now for us! to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death. And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me. And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, 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,

30

let him sell his garment, and 37 This was accomplished when He buy one. 37 For I say unto was crucified between two thieves. 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. And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough. And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him. And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation. And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. 43 How deep the agony! Yet, no wonder! He bare the sins of the

43

world *.

And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. 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. 45 And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow, and said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him. But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss? When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword? And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear. $1 And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far.

45 Thus mercifully does a gracious Providence ordain, that exhausted nature should find some respite from its sorrows.

51 Even this proof that He was God, turned not the hearts of his persecutors. Hatred blinds men to justice.

Then

And he touched his ear, and healed him. Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves? When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness. took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest's house. And Peter followed afar off. And when they

Then

* He endured the whole burden of his Father's wrath-He "trod the wine-press alone"-and, bitter addition to his sorrows! He foreknew that some there would be, who would cast from them the salvation He thus dearly purchased for them.

had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them. But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him. And he denied

58

58 When once a falsehood has passed the lips, none can recal it. In attempting to establish one falsehood by another, men add sin to sin.

him, saying, Woman, I know him not. And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not. And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilæan. And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew. And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me 62 Blessed repentance! Peter sow thrice. 62 And Peter went ed in tears-he reaped in joy. out, and wept bitterly. And the men that held Jesus mocked him, and smote him. And when they had blindfolded him, they struck him on the face, and asked him, saying, Prophesy, who is it that smote thee? And many other things blasphemously spake they against him. And as soon as it was day, the elders of the people and the chief priests and the scribes came together, and led him into their council, saying, Art thou the Christ? tell us. And he said unto them, If I tell you, ye will not believe: and if I also ask you, ye will not answer me, nor let me go. Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God. Then said they all, Art thou then the Son of God? And he said unto them, Ye say that I am. And they said, What need we any further witness? for we ourselves have heard of his own mouth.

CHAPTER XXIII.

MARCH 12, JULY 11, Nov. 7.

EASTER EVEN, morning, from ver. 50.

AND the whole multitude of them arose, and led him unto Pilate. And they began to 2 This was false. (See Chap. xx. accuse him, saying, We found 25*.)

To this day, when religion is to be assailed, how often is the attack made by falsehood. The refuge of lies is the favourite refuge of the wicked. Well has our divine Master forewarned us-" Blessed are ye when men shall speak all manner of evil against you, falsely, for my sake."