Communion with Jesus
J. Irons. Matthew 20:17 And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said to them, I. THE PARTY — Jesus and His disciples. The great Head of the Church and His members. 1. Their interests were mutual. 2. They are a united company. 3. They were distinct from the world. 4. Are you of the party? II. THEIR UNION AND COMMUNION — Jesus took the twelve disciples apart. 1. We sometimes try to take Christ apart, it is better that Christ should take us. 2. This communion has love for its origin. 3. He would not have them associated with the world, He was about to touch on matters He wished His disciples to know. 4. He not only invites His Church apart as an act of love, but every grace of His Holy Spirit's implanting is then called into exercise. 5. He took them apart to talk about the atonement. III. Mark now THE TRAVELLING ITSELF — "going up to Jerusalem." Ours is not a stand-still religion. We have no continuing city. We are in company with Jesus. 1. Decision is implied. 2. Progress is implied. 3. There was expectation as they journeyed. 4. Jesus was going up to Jerusalem for the accomplishment of redemption; and we must go to the Jerusalem above in order to fully enjoy them. (J. Irons.) Parallel Verses KJV: And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them, WEB: As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside, and on the way he said to them,