For all pertinently anticipating the next commentary we revise the one I previously wrote out of order a month ago. This places us back in order and on track. I pray it is as good this next time around. The verse references from 1 Corinthians 11 are those dear to me. It was through these verses that the Lord first spoke to me and opened up my eyes so that I could see my inabilities and depravity for the first time and in that His sovereignty and completed work. I pray I examine myself and renew my faith in His body and for those reading you to may come to a true understanding of your righteousness and your need.
Extra Credit: A common misunderstood doctrine is that of the ordinances the Lord has provided. Some ignore and in that denying what the Lord has given us to do while other exalt it to the place of unworthy sacrifice. To review I offer these parts of a letter from J.C. Ryle's book The Lord's Supper. Why was the Lord’s Supper ordained?, Who ought to receive the Lord’s Supper?, What benefits are in receiving the Lord’s Table, What effects are in receiving the Lord’s Table, and lastly Warnings concerning the Lord’s Table.
Jhn 13:26 Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped [it]. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave [it] to Judas Iscariot, [the son] of Simon.
Jhn 13:27 And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, that thou doest, do quickly.
Jhn 13:28 Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him.
Jhn 13:29 For some [of them] thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy [those things] that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor.
- Who was Christ speaking to in the first part of verse 26?
Whom will betray Him? The sop in our text was a piece of unleavened bread dipped in the sauce prepared for eating the Pascal lamb. The host would offer this morsel to his most special guests first and the guest in respect and honor for the host would accept. Judas the betrayer accepted the sop, which shows the lengths he would carry his deception and hypocrisy. Judas was on the surface renewing his pledge of fellowship with Christ while planning his treachery. (Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. – I Cr 11:27-29). I ask among you now, whom will betray Him? (… Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. – 1 Cr 11:24). The Lords table is prepared, the bread is passed, it comes to you, are you worthy to partake? Are you committing damnation to yourself not discerning His body and His finished work. Are you appeasing others by accepting the morsel while carrying out deception and hypocrisy? Are you renewing your reverence and bowing to His sovereignty and electing grace while at the same time in self-righteousness looking to yourself. What length the christian will go to carry their deception and hypocrisy. Oh reader take pause, do not continue in this treachery. Consider these words and more importantly His words the next time you partake of the Lords Supper. Oh may we all examine ourselves that we may be proved to be worthy to take of the sop that Christ has dipped in His blood. (I Cr 1:32)
