the desire of ages-第156章
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ers。
Now； having washed the disciples' feet； He said； 〃I have given you an example； that ye should do as I have done to you。〃 In these words Christ was not merely enjoining the practice of hospitality。 More was meant than the washing of the feet of guests to remove the dust of travel。 Christ was here instituting a religious service。 By the act of our Lord this humiliating ceremony was made a consecrated ordinance。 It was to be observed by the disciples； that they might ever keep in mind His lessons of humility and service。
This ordinance is Christ's appointed preparation for the sacramental service。 While pride； variance； and strife for supremacy are cherished； the heart cannot enter into fellowship with Christ。 We are not prepared to receive the communion of His body and His blood。 Therefore it was that Jesus appointed the memorial of His humiliation to be first observed。
As they come to this ordinance； the children of God should bring to remembrance the words of the Lord of life and glory： 〃Know ye what I have done to you？ Ye call Me Master and Lord： and ye say well； for so I am。 If I then； your Lord and Master； have washed your feet； ye also ought to wash one another's feet。 For I have given you an example； that ye should do as I have done to you。 Verily； verily； I say unto you； The servant is not greater than his lord； neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him。 If ye know these things； happy are ye if ye do them。〃 There is in man a disposition to esteem himself more highly than his brother； to work for self； to seek the highest place； and often this results in evil surmisings and bitterness of spirit。 The ordinance preceding the Lord's Supper is to clear away these misunderstandings； to bring man out of his selfishness； down from his stilts of self…exaltation； to the humility of heart that will lead him to serve his brother。
The holy Watcher from heaven is present at this season to make it one of soul searching； of conviction of sin； and of the blessed assurance of sins forgiven。 Christ in the fullness of His grace is there to change the current of the thoughts that have been running in selfish channels。 The Holy Spirit quickens the sensibilities of those who follow the example of their Lord。 As the Saviour's humiliation for us is remembered； thought
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links with thought； a chain of memories is called up； memories of God's great goodness and of the favor and tenderness of earthly friends。 Blessings forgotten； mercies abused； kindnesses slighted； are called to mind。 Roots of bitterness that have crowded out the precious plant of love are made manifest。 Defects of character； neglect of duties； ingratitude to God； coldness toward our brethren； are called to remembrance。 Sin is seen in the light in which God views it。 Our thoughts are not thoughts of self…complacency； but of severe self…censure and humiliation。 The mind is energized to break down every barrier that has caused alienation。 Evil thinking and evilspeaking are put away。 Sins are confessed； they are forgiven。 The subduing grace of Christ comes into the soul； and the love of Christ draws hearts together in a blessed unity。
As the lesson of the preparatory service is thus learned； the desire is kindled for a higher spiritual life。 To this desire the divine Witness will respond。 The soul will be uplifted。 We can partake of the Communion with a consciousness of sins forgiven。 The sunshine of Christ's righteousness will fill the chambers of the mind and the soul temple。 We 〃behold the Lamb of God； which taketh away the sin of the world。〃 John 1：29。
To those who receive the spirit of this service； it can never become a mere ceremonial。 Its constant lesson will be； 〃By love serve one another。〃 Gal。 5：13。 In washing the feet of His disciples； Christ gave evidence that He would do any service； however humble； that would make them heirs with Him of the eternal wealth of heaven's treasure。 His disciples； in performing the same rite； pledge themselves in like manner to serve their brethren。 Whenever this ordinance is rightly celebrated； the children of God are brought into a holy relationship； to help and bless each other。 They covenant that the life shall be given to unselfish ministry。 And this； not only for one another。 Their field of labor is as wide as their Master's was。 The world is full of those who need our ministry。 The poor； the helpless； the ignorant； are on every hand。 Those who have communed with Christ in the upper chamber will go forth to minister as He did。
Jesus； the served of all； came to be the servant of all。 And because He ministered to all； He will again be served and honored by all。 And those who would partake of His divine attributes； and share with Him the joy of seeing souls redeemed； must follow His example of unselfish ministry。
All this was comprehended in the words of Jesus； 〃I have given you an example； that ye should do as I have done to you。〃 This was the intent of the service He established。 And He says； 〃If ye know these things；〃 if you know the purpose of His lessons； 〃happy are ye if ye do them。〃
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Chapter 72
〃In Remembrance of Me〃
〃The Lord Jesus the same night in which He was betrayed took bread： and when He had given thanks； He brake it； and said； Take； eat： this is My body； which is broken for you： this do in remembrance of Me。 After the same manner also He took the cup； when He had supped； saying； This cup is the new testament in My blood： this do ye； as oft as ye drink it； in remembrance of Me。 For as often as ye eat this bread； and drink this cup； ye do show the Lord's death till He come。〃 1 Cor。 11：23…26。
Christ was standing at the point of transition between two economies and their two great festivals。 He； the spotless Lamb of God； was about to present Himself as a sin offering； that He would thus bring to an end the system of types and ceremonies that for four thousand years had pointed to His death。 As He ate the Passover with His disciples； He instituted in its place the service that was to be the memorial of His great sacrifice。 The national festival of the Jews was to pass away forever。 The service which Christ established was to be observed by His followers in all lands and through all ages。
The Passover was ordained as a commemoration of the deliverance of Israel from Egyptian bondage。 God had directed that； year by year； as the children should ask the meaning of this ordinance； the history should be repeated。 Thus the wonderful deliverance was to be kept fresh in the minds of all。 The ordinance of the Lord's Supper was given
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to commemorate the great deliverance wrought out as the result of the death of Christ。 Till He shall come the second time in power and glory； this ordinance is to be celebrated。 It is the means by which His great work for us is to be kept fresh in our minds。
At the time of their deliverance from Egypt； the children of Israel ate the Passover supper standing； with their loins girded； and with their staves in their hands； ready for their journey。 The manner in which they celebrated this ordinance harmonized with their condition； for they were about to be thrust out of the land of Egypt； and were to begin a painful and difficult journey through the wilderness。 But in Christ's time the condition of things had changed。 They were not now about to be thrust out of a strange country； but were dwellers in their own land。 In harmony with the rest that had been given them； the people then partook of the Passover supper in a reclining position。 Couches were placed about the table； and the guests lay upon them； resting upon the left arm； and having the right hand free for use in eating。 In this position a guest could lay his head upon the breast of the one who sat next above him。 And the feet； being at the outer edge of the couch； could be washed by one passing around the outside of the circle。
Christ is still at the table on which the paschal supper has been spread。 The unleavened cakes used at the Passover season are before Him。 The Pass
