October 27

He brought me to the banqueting-house, and his banner over me was lobe. — SONG OF SOLOMON ii. 4.

With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer. — LUKE xxii. 15.

WHAT a wealth of love these words reveal! How they discover also the reality and intimacy of our Lord's union with his chosen ones! His love, in this pathetic re- newal of tender regard, seems literally to close them in in its marvellous fulness. Truly in this last passover they and he are one. The intensity of our Lord's desire is seen in the scrupulous care he had taken to secure its quiet and uninter- rupted enjoyment. Why was this desire to eat with them so great? Partly because in the heaviness of his sorrow now he yearned for the solace of the disciples' sympathy and com- munion of love, just as he did later amid the agonies of Geth- semane. He loved his own, and rejoiced in their love for him. Partly, also, because he was glad to give these loyal ones an unmistakable exhibition of his relation to them as their Saviour. He had sadly felt their slowness to under- stand his mission in its spiritual meaning. Now he so uses the passover memorial, whose significance they know, though it will cease with his own death, that they cannot fail to see the true meaning of his work; and the symbolism is so clear that they can never forget him. Thus he makes the feast the fellowship of intelligent love with his sufferings for sinners.

Let us come to his table with like desire for him, and not grieve him by any heartless formality or chilling indifference. Let us make it the communion of reciprocal yearning.

William Claushlee

This is the hour of banquet and of song;

This is the heavenly table spread for me.

Here let me feast, and feasting still prolong

The brief, bright hour of fellowship with thee.

H. BONAR.