not give the token of love merely as a
sign to John and Peter, but because He desired to assure Judas that,
notwithstanding His perfect knowledge, His heart was full of tender
affection.

But when the sun strikes on a foetid pond, its rays, beneath which all
creation rejoices, bring out the repulsive odors that otherwise had
slept undiscovered; so the love of God is ever a savor of life unto
life or of death unto death, and the very fervor of Christ's love seems
to have driven Judas almost to madness. Shutting his heart against the
Saviour, he opened it to Satan, who was waiting his opportunity.
"After the sop, then Satan entered into him." Instantly the Master saw
the change, and knew that He could do nothing more to save His disciple
from the pit which he had digged for himself. Nothing could be gained
by further delay. Jesus therefore said unto him, "That thou doest, do
quickly."

So carefully had the Lord concealed His knowledge of Judas' real
character that none of those who sat at table guessed the real
significance and purport of His words. For some thought, because Judas
had the bag, that Jesus said unto him, "Buy what things we have need of
for the feast"; or that he should give something to the poor. Only
John, and perhaps Peter, had the slightest suspicion of his possible
errand. The sacred narrative adds significantly, "He then having
received the sop, went out straightway, and it was night"; as though
the black pall of darkness were a befitting symbol of the blackness of
darkness that was enveloping his soul--a night broken only by one star,
when Jesus once more in the garden sought to arrest him with the words,
"Friend, to what a deed thou art come! Betrayest thou the Son of Man
with a kiss?" But that lone star was soon obscured. The cloud-wreath
hastened to conceal it. Head-long and precipitate over every obstacle,
he rushed to his doom, until his career was consummated in the
despairing act which the Evangelist so solemnly records.

The specified fee was no doubt paid to Judas, on his delivery of Jesus
into the hands of the High Priest. As soon as the great doors closed
behind the arresting band, Judas went to some inner pay-office, claimed
his money, and then waited in the shadow to see what befell. Perhaps
he met John; and if so, avoided him. Perhaps he heard Peter deny the
Lord with oaths, and congratulated himself that there was not much to
choose between them. But for the most par