[Illustration: THIS DO IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME.]
So during that night there was a dreadful cry in the land of Egypt, for
in every house, where the blood had not been sprinkled, there was one
lying dead!
The Egyptians were so terrified that they thrust out the Children
of Israel—they and all their little ones escaped right out of the
land of Egypt for ever! And this is why, the night before our Lord
was crucified for us—the Lamb of God Who taketh away the sin of the
world—He gathered His twelve disciples together, and sat down to eat
that Feast with them in the upper room.
Jesus told them that, with great desire, He had desired to eat this
Passover with them. He knew that to-morrow He would die.
And as they were eating, Jesus was troubled in spirit, and told them
that one of them would betray Him.
Close to His side, leaning on His bosom, was the disciple whom Jesus
loved; and Peter beckoned to him to ask the Lord who it would be who
should betray Him?
So John, lying on Jesus' breast, whispered, "Who is it, Lord?" And
Jesus answered, "It is he to whom I give a sop when I have dipped it."
And he gave the sop to Judas Iscariot.
And as they were eating, Jesus "took bread, and gave thanks, and
brake it, and gave unto them saying, 'This 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.'"
St. Paul says, "Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us, therefore let
us keep the Feast."
And from that Last Supper before His death, till now, nearly for two
thousand years, in one unbroken chain, week by week, those who love
Christ have partaken of this Holy Feast, in remembrance of Him, till He
shall come back again.
The Holy Supper was over. Judas had left them to go and betray
his Master, and was gone out into the darkness. In that wonderful
conversation, as Jesus talked with them for the last time, He told them
many things, which they understood more clearly afterwards. He told
them that He would not leave them comfortless, but would come to them;
He told them that He was going to prepare a place for all who loved
Him, in the many mansions of His Father's house.
All His words were full of glory and comfort.
And then they sang a hymn together—Jesus and His disciples—and after
that they went into the Mount of Olives, where the Easter Passover moon
was shining among the sombre trees; and there it was that Judas found
Him, and betrayed Him to the multitude.