ing at the table, " their reins girt, with shoes on their feet, holding staves in their hands, eating in haste." (Exod. xii. 11.) All this was expressive of the vigor of mind and promptitude with which He suffered.
III. When Christ beheld the paschal lamb on the table, in the state prescribed by the law, He could not help reflecting how He was soon to be extended on the cross, after having been scourged and variously tormented by the malicious Jews. When the lamb was cut in pieces, without breaking any of its bones, he saw pictured before Him His own mangled body, and the disjointing of His bones, though none of them were to be broken. The haste with which the Jews were commanded to eat the paschal lamb prefigured the hasty fury of His persecutors. The bitter wild lettuce represented the gall to His mind, and the bitter chalice of His passion, which He had to drink to the very dregs. Great must have been His love for mankind, when, with all these presentiments and feelings, He could still persevere in hastening to commence His passion!
SATURDAY.
Christ Washes His Disciples' Feet.
I. After Christ had eaten the paschal lamb with His disciples, He began to prepare for the greatest act of kindness that He could perform for mankind. He intended to leave them a perfect memorial of Himself, by leaving them His body and blood for the food and nourishment of their souls. Before He did this, however, He gave them an example of the most perfect humility, by washing the feet of His disciples. By this act He also intended to show mankind with what purity they ought to approach the sacred table. Ponder the simple words
