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John 13:1-5
Suggested further reading: Exodus 12:1-13
The passage we have now read begins one of the most
interesting portions of St John's Gospel. For five consecutive chapters we
find the evangelist recording matters which are not mentioned by
Matthew, Mark and Luke. We can never be thankful enough that
the Holy Ghost has caused them to be written for our learning! In
every age the contents of these chapters have been justly regarded as
one of the most precious parts of the Bible. They have been the
meat and drink, the strength and comfort of all true-hearted
Christians. Let us ever approach them with peculiar reverence. The
place whereon we stand is holy ground.
We should observe that the Feast of the Passover is always
carefully mentioned by each Gospel writer as the precise time of
the year when Jesus was crucified. It was ordered of God that it
should be at this particular time for two good reasons. For one thing,
the Passover lamb was the most striking and remarkable type in
the whole Jewish ceremonial of Christ himself, and the history of
the Passover of Christ's work of redemption. For another thing, it
secured the greatest assembly of Israelites to be eyewitnesses of
our Lord's crucifixion. At no time of the Jewish year were so
many Jews gathered at Jerusalem. Anything that happened at the
Passover would be reported by Jewish worshippers, on returning home,
all over the civilized world. For these two reasons `the Lamb of
God' was slain at this feast, in spite of the priests, who said, `Not on
the feast day.'
Let us note that our Lord knew perfectly beforehand when
and how he should suffer. This, whatever we may think, is a great
addition to suffering. Our ignorance of things before us is a great
blessing. Our Lord saw the cross clearly before him and walked
straight up to it. His death was not a surprise to him, but a voluntary,
foreknown thing.
For meditation: Christ is our Passover Lamb
(1 Cor. 5:7).
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