p. 14 | THE SABBATH SCHOOL

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Dec 20, 1899

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 25, No. 51.

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THE SABBATH SCHOOL

LESSON XIII.—SABBATH, DECEMBER 30, 1899.

JUDAS THE TRAITOR AND THE PREPARATION FOR THE PASSOVER.

Jerusalem, A.D. 31.

Lesson Scripture, Matt. 26:1-5, 14-19; Mark 14:1, 2, 10-16; Luke 22:1-13.

[Matt. 26:1-5, 14-19, R.V.]

1 "And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these 2 words, He said unto His disciples, Ye know that after two days the Passover cometh, and the Son of man is delivered up 3 to be crucified. Then were gathered together the chief priests, and the elders of the people, unto the court of the high 4 priest, who was called Caiaphas; and they took counsel to- gether that they might take Jesus by subtlety, and kill Him. 5 But they said, Not during the feast, lest a tumult arise among the people." 14 "Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot; 15 went unto the chief priests, and said, What are ye willing to give me, and I will deliver Him unto you? And they weighed 16 unto him thirty pieces of silver. And from that time he sought opportunity to deliver Him unto them." 17 "Now on the first day of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, Where wilt Thou that we make ready 18 for Thee to eat the Passover? And He said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I keep the Passover at thy house with My disciples. 19 And the disciples did as Jesus appointed them; and they made ready the Passover."

[Luke 22:8, 10, 12, 14, 15, R.V.]

8 "And He sent Peter and John, saying, Go and make ready for us the Passover, that we may eat." 10 "And He said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house whereunto he goeth." 12 "And he will show you a large upper room furnished; there make ready." 14 "And when the hour was come, He sat down, and the 15 apostles with Him. And He said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer."

NOTE.—The texts inclosed in marks of parentheses, while not essential to the lesson study, will be found to throw much light upon the lesson, and are suggested for those who wish to study further.

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

After the solemn admonitions relative to helping the unfortunate, what did Jesus say to His disciples? Matt. 26:1, 2.
As the Passover drew nigh, with whom did the elders and others consult in order to plan for the destruction of Jesus? Verses 3, 4.
Upon making known their plan to kill Jesus secretly, what objection was raised by some? Verse 5. Note 1.
At this juncture what did Judas do? Verses 14, 15. (Luke 22:3-5.)
Having made a compact with the elders, what did Judas from that time seek? Verse 16. Note 2. (Luke 22:6.)
At the time of preparing for the Passover what did the disciples ask concerning the matter? Verse 17. (Ex. 12:3-10, 18.)
In reply what did the Saviour command? Verse 18. Luke 22:11.
Who were selected to perform this service? Verse 8.
How were they to find the house designated? Verse 10.
What did Jesus say they would find in the house pointed out to them? Verse 12.
As Christ sat down that evening in the room provided, how did He express Himself regarding that particular occasion? Verses 14, 15. (Mark 14:17.)
How much time is covered in this quarter's lessons?
What are the principal events of those days?

Side Lights.—"Desire of Ages," chapter 71; "Spirit of Prophecy," vol. 3, chapter 6.

NOTES.

1. EVIDENTLY some thought that the disappearance of Christ from the Passover would raise questions of His whereabouts that could not be satisfactorily answered. Suspicions would then be whispered about that the elders had put Christ to death secretly, which would forever destroy their power over the people, because such an act would be evidence to all that nothing but malicious hate on the part of the authorities had been the cause of His death. Therefore, to save their reputation with the people, it was necessary to trump up some charge by which His death might be compassed with a show of legality, and in a public manner. Thus the odium of His death, if any should exist, would be made to rest on the civil power.

2. HOW GREAT must have been the hardness of Judas' heart in order, afterward, to look the Saviour in the face, and call Him Master, in common with the other disciples. He either never had faith in the Lord's infinite power of discernment, or had permitted himself to be drawn into the darkest condition of mind possible.