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On the first day of the Passover celebration – the Day of Unleavened Bread – his disciples asked Jesus, "Where should we go to arrange for you to eat the Passover meal?"
He sent two disciples into Jerusalem, telling them, "Go into the city, and there you will meet a man carrying a pitcher of water. Follow him, and wherever he enters, say to the master of the house, 'The rabbi says, where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover meal?' And he will himself show you a large upper room all set up. Then prepare everything."
The two went into town and found that everything happened as Jesus had said. So they set up the meal.
In the evening, Jesus came with all twelve disciples and they reclined, as was the custom when eating the Passover meal.
"I have greatly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer," he said. "For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it is fulfilled in the kingdom."
As they reclined together, Jesus took some unleavened bread and, after blessing it, broke it.
As the bread was being passed around, he said, "When you do this, think about me. This is my body, which is given for you."
As they were eating, Jesus became very solemn, even sorrowful, and said, "I am very serious when I say to you: One of you will betray me."
On hearing this, they grieved. Each asked in turn, "Rabbi, is it I?"
Jesus replied, "He who dips with me in the dish betrays me."
"The son of man goes, just as it was written of him, but woe to the man through whom the son of man is betrayed. Better that he had never been born."
Judah, the traitor, said, "Rabbi, surely you don't mean me."
"That's what you say," Jesus replied.
Leaning against Jesus was a disciple for whom Jesus had particular affection.
Simon Peter signaled this disciple to ask whom Jesus meant.
So that disciple asked, "Master, who is it?"
"I will give someone a piece of food after I dip it," said Jesus. "That's him."
After dipping the food, he handed it to the Judah from Kerioth.
Shortly after, Satan consumed Judah's thoughts.
Jesus addressed him. "What you do, do quickly."
Nobody had any idea why Jesus said what he said. Some thought that, because Judah carried the money, Jesus was telling him to purchase supplies for the rest of the Feast period or to donate funds to the poor.
After receiving his bit of food, Judah stood up and went out into the night.
Once Judah had gone, Jesus said, "Now is the son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him.
"Boys, I will only be with you a short time now. You will look for me, but as I told the Pharisees: where I am going, you cannot go.
"I leave you with a new teaching. You are to love each other, as I have loved you. Then everyone will know you are my disciples."
Peter again raised the question: "Where are you going?"
"Where I go you cannot follow," replied Jesus, "but later you will follow me."
At the end of the meal, Jesus took a cup and gave thanks.
"This is my blood, which is shed for you," he said. "Take this and share it among yourselves. I tell you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the day I drink it new in the kingdom."
After supper Judah, incited by the Devil, left on his mission, as he knew that that Jesus and his disciples almost always would go to the park at Olive Hill.
But Jesus did not leave right away. First, he arose, laid aside his clothing and wrapped himself in a towel.
He then poured water into a basin and began washing the feet of his disciples.
When he came to Peter, Peter said, "Master, you are going to wash my feet?!"
"You don't understand now what I am doing, but you will later," Jesus replied.
"Never will you wash my feet!" declared Peter.
"If I don't wash you," said Jesus, "you have no part of me."
"In that case," said Peter, "don't just wash my feet, but also my hands and head."
Jesus replied, "He that is washed is clean everywhere, except for his feet. And you are clean."
Then he added, "But not all."
Those last words were said because Jesus was aware of who would betray him.
Once he had finished, Jesus asked them, "Do you understand what I have done for you? You call me Master and Teacher, and you are right. That is who I am.
"So if I, who am your master and teacher, have washed your feet, then you should likewise wash each other's feet.
"I have given you an example that you should follow.
"I really mean it when I tell you that the servant is not greater than his master, nor is the messenger greater than the one who sent him.
"If you understand this advice, then follow it and you'll be happy,"
Jesus continued, "He who is the greater among you, let him become as the junior. And he who is chief, let him be as a server. For who is greater, he who sits at the dinner table or he who serves? Yet here am I in your midst as a servant.
"You are those who have stuck with me through my trials, and a kingdom I bestow on you, just as my Father has bestowed on me – so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom. And you will sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel."
As they prepared to leave, Jesus had a few more things to say.[LSzz1]
"Don't worry. You believe in God. Likewise, believe in me."
Jesus went on, "My Father's house has plenty of room. There are many living spaces. You can bank on that being true. Now I go to prepare your new place.
"That means I will come back for you so that you can stay with me where I am.
"You'll know where I go and how to get there."
Thomas was puzzled.
"Master, we don't know where you are going. So how can we know the way there?"
Jesus replied, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father other than through me.
"If you really knew me, you would have known my Father. But, from now on, you do know him, and have seen him."
But Philip said, "Master, show us the Father, and that will suffice."
Jesus looked at him with amusement.
"Have I been with you all this time and you still don't know me, Philip? He who has seen me has seen the Father. So what kind of question is show us the Father?
"You mean you don't know that I am in the Father and the Father in me? I don't speak my own words to you. They are the Father's, who dwells within me. And he's the one who does the works.
"Count on me being in the Father. If not, believe what I say on account of the works.
"I really mean it when I tell you that whoever trusts in me will do the works that I do. In fact, because I go to my Father, he will do even greater works than those.
"Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it – so that the Father may be glorified in the son.
"I will do whatever you ask in my name.
"If you love me, stick with my teachings.
"I am going to talk with the Father on your behalf, and he will give you another Comforter so that he can stay with you forever.
"That Comforter is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive. It can't see him nor know him. But you know him, for he dwells among you and will dwell inside you.
"I won't leave you without comfort. I will come to you.
"Soon the world will see me no more. But you see me – because I live, and you will also live.
"Then you will know that I am in my Father and that you are in me and I in you.
"The person who has my teachings and honors them is the person who loves me. And the person who loves me will be loved by my Father. And I will love him and make myself known in him.
Judah – not the traitor – asked, "Master, how can you make yourself known to us but not to the world?"
Jesus answered, "If a person loves me, he will do as I say. And my Father will love him and come to him and lodge with him.
"Whoever doesn't love me doesn't do what I say. The word from my mouth isn't mine. It's from the Father who sent me.
"I am telling you all this while I am still present with you. But the Comforter, whom the Father sends in my name, will teach you everything and help you remember everything I've said to you.
"Peace I leave with you – a peace which is nothing like what the world calls peace.
"Don't worry, and don't fear. Keep in mind that I predicted in advance that I would go away and return to you. If you only knew what I meant when I say I am going yo my Father, you would be really happy. For my Father is greater than I am.
"So now that I tell you this before it happens, then, when it does happen, you can believe.
"From now on, there won't be much time for talk. The ruler of this world is on his way. We have nothing in common, but even so I am going to obey my Father's order, so that the world will know that I love the Father."
"Let's get going."
After singing a hymn, they departed for Olive Hill.
Jesus told them, "All of you will be offended. For, it is written:
Peter responded, "Even if everyone else is offended, I won't be."
"Simon, Simon, look here," replied Jesus, "Satan has asked to have you so that he might sift you like wheat. But on your behalf I appealed for your faith not to fail you. And when you have turned back again, establish your brothers."
Peter insisted, "Master, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death."
Jesus replied, "I assure you, Simon, that before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times."
The others joined in, saying they would never do such a thing.
Jesus however asked them, "When I sent you out without purse or knapsack or shoes, did you lack anything?"
"Nothing," they replied.
"But now," he said, "he who has a purse, or knapsack, let him carry it. And he who lacks a sword, let him sell his cloak and buy one. I am telling you, this writing must be fulfilled in me:
The disciples said, "Master, look, here are two swords."
Jesus said, "That will suffice."
On their way over to Olive Hill, Jesus gave more teachings to his students.
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.
"Every branch in me that bears no fruit, he clips off. And every one that does bear fruit, he prunes it, so that it may have a greater yield."
"You are clean now because of the word I have spoken to you.
"Abide in me, as I do in you. You understand that a branch cannot yield fruit unless it is united with the vine. Likewise, you are useless if you aren't abiding in me.
"I am the vine. You are the branches. If you abide in me and I in you, then you will yield much fruit. Apart from me, you can do nothing.
"If a person doesn't abide in me, he is thrown out like a branch, which dries up and which people toss into the fire, where it burns with the other sticks.
"If you abide in me and my words abide in you, you will ask whatever you wish and your request will be granted.
"When you yield a great deal of fruit, showing that you are my students, that glorifies my Father.
"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Keep going in my love.
"If you follow my teachings, you will abide in my love – just as I have followed my Father's teaching and abide in his love.
"I'm telling you all this so that my joy may remain in you, and your joy will be full.
"I leave you this instruction: Love each other as I have loved you.
"The greatest love is this: that a man lay down his life for his friends.
"You are my friends, when you obey my instructions.
"From now on, I won't call you servants, for the servant doesn't know what his master is doing. But I call you friends, because whatever I hear from my Father I reveal to you."
"You did not choose me, but I have chosen you, and commissioned you so that you go out and yield much fruit and that you keep doing so. That way, the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.
"Remember: Love each other, even though you receive the world's hatred. Don't forget: It hated me first.
"If you were part of the world, the world would love its own. But the world hates you because I have called you out of it and you're not part of it.
"Recall that I told you: The servant is not greater than his master. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they have kept my teaching, they will also keep yours.
"But on account of my name, they will do vicious things to you. That's because they don't know him who sent me.
"Had I not come and put out the word, they would have no sin. But now, they can't cloak their sin.
"Whoever hates me also hates my Father.
"Had I not done works among them that no one has ever done, they would have no sin. But they see those works, and so they hate my Father.
"But this happened so that the word might be fulfilled that is written in the Law that they say is so important to them: They hated me without a cause.
"But when the Comforter comes, whom I send from the Father, he will testify about me.
"And you will bear witness also, because you have been with me from the beginning.
"I am telling you all this so that you won't be offended.
"They will put you out of their assemblies. Yes, and the time will come when the people who kill you think they are doing God's will.
"They will do these things to you because they haven't known the Father or me.
"When these things occur, you will remember that I told you this was coming. At first I did not talk about such persecution much because I was here with you."
"But now I am on my way to the one who sent me – though none of you has understood what I mean by that.
"Yet, what I have been telling you has made you all very sad.
"But here is an important point: It is to your benefit that I go away. If I don't leave, the Comforter won't come to you. But, if I depart, I will send him to you.
"And once he comes, he will reprove the world, showing up sin, making plain righteousness and bringing judgment.
"The sin is that they don't trust me.
"The righteousness is that I go to my Father, and you see me no more.
"The judgment is: the ruler of this world is condemned.
"I have much more to tell you, but you can't deal with it yet.
"But, the Spirit of truth, once he comes, will guide you into all truth. He won't speak his own words, but only what he hears. And, he will show you things that are coming.
"He will glorify me. He will receive what is from me and show it to you.
"Everything of the Father's is mine. That's why I said the Spirit will take my things and show them to you.
"A little while from now you won't see me. A little while later and you will see me, because I go to my Father."
Again, his disciples didn't really understand Jesus' teachings. They seemed to them to be some very mysterious ramblings, and so, off to the side, they asked each other, "What can he mean by a little while, you won't see me and then a little while, you will see me?"
Jesus, aware of their puzzlement, said, "Are you asking each other what that means: a little while...
"I really mean it when I tell you that while the world is rejoicing, you will weep and mourn. But, your sorrow will turn into joy.
"When it is time for a woman to give birth, she is tormented by labor pains. But as soon as the baby is born, she forgets all about the agony and is instead very happy that her new baby has arrived in the world.
"Right now, you are a glum lot. But, we will meet again. And you'll be very happy – so happy that no one can take it away."
"Then all the questions you have now will be answered.
"In the past, you have never asked God for anything in my name. But now you may ask, and you will receive, and be full of joy.
"My teachings have often been conveyed to you figuratively. Yet the time is coming when I won't be so indirect, but will show you plainly what comes from the Father.
"When that time comes, you will ask something in my name – but I won't say that I will ask the Father for you. That is because the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came forth from God.
"I came forth from the Father, and have come into the world. Now it's time for me to leave the world, and go to the Father."
The clouds began to part from the minds of the disciples, as they were able to grasp some of what Jesus was saying.
"We can tell that you know everything and that you don't need any human to inform you. So, we are sure that God sent you."
Jesus replied, "Oh, now you believe? Well, listen to this: The time is coming – and is here now – when everyone scatters, fleeing his own way, and leaves me alone. But, I won't be alone. The Father is with me.
"I tell you all this so that you can relax – even though in this world you will have much distress. But be happy: I have overcome the world."
Jesus lifted his eyes skyward and said, "Father, it's time. Glorify your son so that your son may glorify you."
The writer of John comments that the Father has given the son power over all humanity so that he may grant life to every person the Father has given to the son.
The writer adds, "Eternal life is this: Knowing the only true God and knowing Jesus, the one anointed and sent by God."
Jesus continued in overheard prayer, "I have glorified you on earth. I have finished the work you gave me to do.
"And now, Father, please glorify me with the glory of yourself which I had before there was a world.
"I have made known your name to the people whom you gave me from out of the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me. And they have kept your word.
"Now they know that everything you have given me really is from you.
"For I have given them the words you gave me, and they have received them, and certainly realize that I came from you, believing that I am your messenger.
"I pray for them. I don't pray for the world, but for those you have given me – for they are yours.
"And all mine are yours and yours are mine. And I am glorified in them.
"Now I am no longer in the world, though these are. I come to you, Precious Father. Please keep in your own name those you have given me so that they may be one, as we are one.
"While I was with them in the world, I kept them in your name. Those whom you gave me I have kept, and not one of them is lost – except the man of the abyss, whose extinction fulfills scripture.
"It's time for me to come to you. These things I say while here in the world are for them, so that they fill up with the joy I experience.
"I have given them your word. The world hates them, because they are like me: not of this world.
"I don't ask that you take them out of the world but that you keep them clear of evil.
"They are not of this world, just as I am not of this world.
"Sanctify them through your truth. Your word is truth.
"As you have sent me into the world, so have I also sent them into the world.
"And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.
"I am not only praying for these, but I also pray for those who come to believe through their word – so that they all may be one, as you Father are in me and I in you. May they all be one in us. That will let the world know that you have sent me.
"The glory you gave me I share with them, so that they may be one, just as we are one.
"I in them and you in me. Then they will be completed as one. That will let the world know that you have sent me, and that you love them as you have loved me.
"Father, I desire that they, whom you have given me, also be with me where I am so that they may see my glory, which you have given me. For you loved me before the world was founded.
"O Righteous Father, the world hasn't known you, but I have – and these know that you have sent me.
"And I have declared to them your name, and I will declare it – so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them. And I in them."
After crossing Kedron Creek and reaching Olive Hill, Jesus and his disciples entered an enclosed park named Gethsemane (Olive Press) at the foot of that hill.
Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and told the others, "Wait here while I pray."
Once in the park, he became greatly distressed.
"My soul feels so much sorrow – right down to the pit of death," he said, telling the three, "Wait here, and observe."
Then he went forward about a stone's throw and fell to the ground, praying that, if possible, his appointment with death might pass away.
"Father, all things are possible with you," he moaned. "Remove this cup from me."
His prayer became so intense that he sweated what looked like large drops of blood. [LSz1],[LSz2]
But, finally, Jesus said, "Yet let not my will, but your will, be done."
After this, he returned to his students and found them sleeping.
"Simon, you're sleeping?" he said. "You couldn't even keep watch for an hour?
"Stay awake and pray, so that you don't enter into temptation. The spirit is indeed willing, but the flesh is weak."
Jesus went back to pray more and returned again one or two more times to find everybody sleeping. Their eyelids were heavy and they did not know what to say when Jesus awakened them.
When he came back the final time, he said, "Sleep on now, and take your rest. The time has come. Look, the son of man is delivered into the hands of sinners. The one who betrays me is here."
And as he was speaking, Judah arrived with a large party of armed men who had been sent by the Temple authorities.
Judah had told the militia leader, "Whomever I kiss, that is the one you are to arrest."
So as Jesus' face shone with reflected torchlight and moonlight, Judah walked over to him, saying, "Hello, Rabbi," and kissed him.
"Judah, you betray the son of man with a kiss?" said Jesus.
Then Jesus walked a few paces toward the militiamen and asked, "Who are you looking for?"
The commander replied, "Jesus from Nazareth."
"I am he," said Jesus.
As soon as the word I am went forth, the men recoiled backward and stumbled in confusion.
Then Jesus again asked, "Who are you looking for?"
The commander again replied, "Jesus from Nazareth."
"I told you I'm that man," said Jesus. "So if you are here for me, let these others go."
Thus was fulfilled the word he had spoken earlier: I have lost none of those whom you gave me.
Jesus then said to the militia officers, "Have you come out against a robber, with swords and clubs, to seize me? I was with you every day in the Temple, teaching, and you did not arrest me. But this is your hour, the hour of the dark power."
This unjust arrest occurred in accordance with Scripture.
The militia group drew near to arrest Jesus, but as they did, Simon Peter took one of the two swords and swung it, slicing off the ear of the high priest's servant.
Jesus told Peter, "Sheath your sword. Am I not to drink the cup my Father has given me?"
As Peter darted backward, the militiamen seized Jesus, quickly putting fetters on him.
As the soldiers moved, Peter and the others were able to make their escape under cover of darkness.
A youth who had followed Jesus and the disciples was wearing only a linen cloth. The soldiers tried to seize him but he ran away naked, leaving them clutching the cloth.
NEXT PAGE:
Trial
https://secretpath191.blogspot.com/2020/11/trial_12.html
He sent two disciples into Jerusalem, telling them, "Go into the city, and there you will meet a man carrying a pitcher of water. Follow him, and wherever he enters, say to the master of the house, 'The rabbi says, where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover meal?' And he will himself show you a large upper room all set up. Then prepare everything."
The two went into town and found that everything happened as Jesus had said. So they set up the meal.
In the evening, Jesus came with all twelve disciples and they reclined, as was the custom when eating the Passover meal.
"I have greatly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer," he said. "For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it is fulfilled in the kingdom."
Jesus forecasts his imminent death as the sacrificial lamb of God. The Hebrews escaped from Egyptian bondage when the angel of death passed over their houses, which had a sign on them: lamb's blood smeared on the doorposts. The blood of Jesus is the sign required in the New Dispensation. For a person, whether Jew or Gentile, to be spared a fate worse than the death of the body, and to gain something better than the promised land of Canaan, God the Father must see the sign of Jesus on that person. The blood of Jesus – which was spilled for many – pays for that new possibility.
As they reclined together, Jesus took some unleavened bread and, after blessing it, broke it.
As the bread was being passed around, he said, "When you do this, think about me. This is my body, which is given for you."
As they were eating, Jesus became very solemn, even sorrowful, and said, "I am very serious when I say to you: One of you will betray me."
That act of treason fulfills the Scripture: For even my trusted friend, who ate my bread, lifted his heel against me. (Psalm 41:9)
On hearing this, they grieved. Each asked in turn, "Rabbi, is it I?"
Jesus replied, "He who dips with me in the dish betrays me."
All the disciples were sharing in the communal dish, and so Jesus is here saying the traitor was one of the men at their dinner.
"The son of man goes, just as it was written of him, but woe to the man through whom the son of man is betrayed. Better that he had never been born."
Judah, the traitor, said, "Rabbi, surely you don't mean me."
"That's what you say," Jesus replied.
Just as it is written. See Psalm 22:1-31, Isaiah 53: 1-12, and Daniel 9:1-27, in particular 9:26.
Leaning against Jesus was a disciple for whom Jesus had particular affection.
Simon Peter signaled this disciple to ask whom Jesus meant.
So that disciple asked, "Master, who is it?"
"I will give someone a piece of food after I dip it," said Jesus. "That's him."
After dipping the food, he handed it to the Judah from Kerioth.
Shortly after, Satan consumed Judah's thoughts.
Jesus addressed him. "What you do, do quickly."
Nobody had any idea why Jesus said what he said. Some thought that, because Judah carried the money, Jesus was telling him to purchase supplies for the rest of the Feast period or to donate funds to the poor.
After receiving his bit of food, Judah stood up and went out into the night.
Once Judah had gone, Jesus said, "Now is the son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him.
"Boys, I will only be with you a short time now. You will look for me, but as I told the Pharisees: where I am going, you cannot go.
"I leave you with a new teaching. You are to love each other, as I have loved you. Then everyone will know you are my disciples."
Peter again raised the question: "Where are you going?"
"Where I go you cannot follow," replied Jesus, "but later you will follow me."
At the end of the meal, Jesus took a cup and gave thanks.
"This is my blood, which is shed for you," he said. "Take this and share it among yourselves. I tell you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the day I drink it new in the kingdom."
From a later perspective,
the last words of this statement tend to imply that the kingdom arrived soon after his resurrection: at the feast of Pentecost seven weeks hence. But that fact does not preclude the kingdom coming in a fuller sense at the end of time.
As Luke notes, the blood represents the New Dispensation which replaces God's old covenant with Israel and which would occur once Jesus had conquered death. Many people have benefited from the shedding of this blood.
As Luke notes, the blood represents the New Dispensation which replaces God's old covenant with Israel and which would occur once Jesus had conquered death. Many people have benefited from the shedding of this blood.
After supper Judah, incited by the Devil, left on his mission, as he knew that that Jesus and his disciples almost always would go to the park at Olive Hill.
But Jesus did not leave right away. First, he arose, laid aside his clothing and wrapped himself in a towel.
He then poured water into a basin and began washing the feet of his disciples.
When he came to Peter, Peter said, "Master, you are going to wash my feet?!"
"You don't understand now what I am doing, but you will later," Jesus replied.
"Never will you wash my feet!" declared Peter.
"If I don't wash you," said Jesus, "you have no part of me."
"In that case," said Peter, "don't just wash my feet, but also my hands and head."
Jesus replied, "He that is washed is clean everywhere, except for his feet. And you are clean."
Then he added, "But not all."
Those last words were said because Jesus was aware of who would betray him.
We may observe that this manner of speaking with puns and double meanings – as in you are not altogether clean versus not all of you are clean – is fairly common in the Bible and seems to have been almost routine with Jesus. Similarly, we have Peter thinking of a washing of the body while Jesus speaks of a washing of the soul (with his blood and by his Spirit, which is the import of baptism [originally, Greek for immersion].)
Also, the footwashing may be viewed as symbolizing your need for Jesus' grace every day once he has saved you (washed clean your soul). You will still face difficulties in your daily walk with the Lord and so, though spiritually clean, you will still need God's loving forbearance and assistance with your missteps. That is, Jesus will wash your "spiritual feet" daily.
Also, the footwashing may be viewed as symbolizing your need for Jesus' grace every day once he has saved you (washed clean your soul). You will still face difficulties in your daily walk with the Lord and so, though spiritually clean, you will still need God's loving forbearance and assistance with your missteps. That is, Jesus will wash your "spiritual feet" daily.
Once he had finished, Jesus asked them, "Do you understand what I have done for you? You call me Master and Teacher, and you are right. That is who I am.
"So if I, who am your master and teacher, have washed your feet, then you should likewise wash each other's feet.
"I have given you an example that you should follow.
"I really mean it when I tell you that the servant is not greater than his master, nor is the messenger greater than the one who sent him.
"If you understand this advice, then follow it and you'll be happy,"
Jesus continued, "He who is the greater among you, let him become as the junior. And he who is chief, let him be as a server. For who is greater, he who sits at the dinner table or he who serves? Yet here am I in your midst as a servant.
"You are those who have stuck with me through my trials, and a kingdom I bestow on you, just as my Father has bestowed on me – so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom. And you will sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel."
As they prepared to leave, Jesus had a few more things to say.[LSzz1]
"Don't worry. You believe in God. Likewise, believe in me."
Jesus was apparently telling his students that they are able to believe in God sight unseen and so after the resurrection they should believe in him sight unseen (though there would be occasional appearances).
Jesus went on, "My Father's house has plenty of room. There are many living spaces. You can bank on that being true. Now I go to prepare your new place.
"That means I will come back for you so that you can stay with me where I am.
"You'll know where I go and how to get there."
Thomas was puzzled.
"Master, we don't know where you are going. So how can we know the way there?"
Jesus replied, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father other than through me.
"If you really knew me, you would have known my Father. But, from now on, you do know him, and have seen him."
After the resurrection, Jesus and the Father would send the Holy Spirit on the disciples so that they would know Jesus and the Father in spirit and in truth.
But Philip said, "Master, show us the Father, and that will suffice."
Jesus looked at him with amusement.
"Have I been with you all this time and you still don't know me, Philip? He who has seen me has seen the Father. So what kind of question is show us the Father?
"You mean you don't know that I am in the Father and the Father in me? I don't speak my own words to you. They are the Father's, who dwells within me. And he's the one who does the works.
"Count on me being in the Father. If not, believe what I say on account of the works.
"I really mean it when I tell you that whoever trusts in me will do the works that I do. In fact, because I go to my Father, he will do even greater works than those.
"Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it – so that the Father may be glorified in the son.
"I will do whatever you ask in my name.
"If you love me, stick with my teachings.
"I am going to talk with the Father on your behalf, and he will give you another Comforter so that he can stay with you forever.
"That Comforter is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive. It can't see him nor know him. But you know him, for he dwells among you and will dwell inside you.
"I won't leave you without comfort. I will come to you.
"Soon the world will see me no more. But you see me – because I live, and you will also live.
"Then you will know that I am in my Father and that you are in me and I in you.
"The person who has my teachings and honors them is the person who loves me. And the person who loves me will be loved by my Father. And I will love him and make myself known in him.
Judah – not the traitor – asked, "Master, how can you make yourself known to us but not to the world?"
Jesus answered, "If a person loves me, he will do as I say. And my Father will love him and come to him and lodge with him.
"Whoever doesn't love me doesn't do what I say. The word from my mouth isn't mine. It's from the Father who sent me.
"I am telling you all this while I am still present with you. But the Comforter, whom the Father sends in my name, will teach you everything and help you remember everything I've said to you.
"Peace I leave with you – a peace which is nothing like what the world calls peace.
"Don't worry, and don't fear. Keep in mind that I predicted in advance that I would go away and return to you. If you only knew what I meant when I say I am going yo my Father, you would be really happy. For my Father is greater than I am.
"So now that I tell you this before it happens, then, when it does happen, you can believe.
"From now on, there won't be much time for talk. The ruler of this world is on his way. We have nothing in common, but even so I am going to obey my Father's order, so that the world will know that I love the Father."
"Let's get going."
After singing a hymn, they departed for Olive Hill.
Jesus told them, "All of you will be offended. For, it is written:
I will smite the shepherd,"But, after I am raised up, I will go before you into Galilee."
and the sheep will be scattered abroad.[LS1]
Peter responded, "Even if everyone else is offended, I won't be."
"Simon, Simon, look here," replied Jesus, "Satan has asked to have you so that he might sift you like wheat. But on your behalf I appealed for your faith not to fail you. And when you have turned back again, establish your brothers."
Peter insisted, "Master, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death."
Jesus replied, "I assure you, Simon, that before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times."
The others joined in, saying they would never do such a thing.
Jesus however asked them, "When I sent you out without purse or knapsack or shoes, did you lack anything?"
"Nothing," they replied.
"But now," he said, "he who has a purse, or knapsack, let him carry it. And he who lacks a sword, let him sell his cloak and buy one. I am telling you, this writing must be fulfilled in me:
And he was reckoned among criminals.[LS2]For that which is about me is fulfilled."
The disciples said, "Master, look, here are two swords."
Jesus said, "That will suffice."
Jesus' was contrasting the previous experience of his missionaries, when everything went well, with what is coming. Jesus is warning that Satan would attack and stir up enemies. Whereas many were hospitable to the disciples on their earlier mission journeys, now they will face danger and persecution. So this teaching is Jesus' picturesque way of saying, be prepared.
In addition, we may suppose that the two swords represent both divine power and earthly power – as all power was shared by God with Jesus and in turn with his disciples. Jesus' disciples do not exercise much earthly power, but their post-resurrection spiritual power had and has enormous influence on world affairs.
In addition, we may suppose that the two swords represent both divine power and earthly power – as all power was shared by God with Jesus and in turn with his disciples. Jesus' disciples do not exercise much earthly power, but their post-resurrection spiritual power had and has enormous influence on world affairs.
——————————————
Many have been puzzled as to why Jesus seemingly ate a Passover meal a day or two ahead of the beginning of the official Passover celebration. The gospel writers agree that this supper happened but modern scholars disagree on the timing. A possibility is that, after the crucifixion, the apostles realized that the last supper evoked much of the symbolism and imagery of the Passover. And we may suspect that God himself, using divine messengers to lead the two disciples, arranged for this final get-together.[LSz2]
On their way over to Olive Hill, Jesus gave more teachings to his students.
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.
"Every branch in me that bears no fruit, he clips off. And every one that does bear fruit, he prunes it, so that it may have a greater yield."
A modern example of such a branch is someone who goes to church on Sunday but during the rest of the week has no regard for the teachings of Jesus. Such a person isn't saved because he or she has never really accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior.
"You are clean now because of the word I have spoken to you.
"Abide in me, as I do in you. You understand that a branch cannot yield fruit unless it is united with the vine. Likewise, you are useless if you aren't abiding in me.
"I am the vine. You are the branches. If you abide in me and I in you, then you will yield much fruit. Apart from me, you can do nothing.
"If a person doesn't abide in me, he is thrown out like a branch, which dries up and which people toss into the fire, where it burns with the other sticks.
"If you abide in me and my words abide in you, you will ask whatever you wish and your request will be granted.
"When you yield a great deal of fruit, showing that you are my students, that glorifies my Father.
"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Keep going in my love.
"If you follow my teachings, you will abide in my love – just as I have followed my Father's teaching and abide in his love.
"I'm telling you all this so that my joy may remain in you, and your joy will be full.
"I leave you this instruction: Love each other as I have loved you.
"The greatest love is this: that a man lay down his life for his friends.
"You are my friends, when you obey my instructions.
"From now on, I won't call you servants, for the servant doesn't know what his master is doing. But I call you friends, because whatever I hear from my Father I reveal to you."
In that period, the student (disciple) had the status of a servant with respect to the teacher (master).
"You did not choose me, but I have chosen you, and commissioned you so that you go out and yield much fruit and that you keep doing so. That way, the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.
"Remember: Love each other, even though you receive the world's hatred. Don't forget: It hated me first.
"If you were part of the world, the world would love its own. But the world hates you because I have called you out of it and you're not part of it.
"Recall that I told you: The servant is not greater than his master. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they have kept my teaching, they will also keep yours.
"But on account of my name, they will do vicious things to you. That's because they don't know him who sent me.
"Had I not come and put out the word, they would have no sin. But now, they can't cloak their sin.
"Whoever hates me also hates my Father.
"Had I not done works among them that no one has ever done, they would have no sin. But they see those works, and so they hate my Father.
"But this happened so that the word might be fulfilled that is written in the Law that they say is so important to them: They hated me without a cause.
"But when the Comforter comes, whom I send from the Father, he will testify about me.
"And you will bear witness also, because you have been with me from the beginning.
"I am telling you all this so that you won't be offended.
"They will put you out of their assemblies. Yes, and the time will come when the people who kill you think they are doing God's will.
"They will do these things to you because they haven't known the Father or me.
"When these things occur, you will remember that I told you this was coming. At first I did not talk about such persecution much because I was here with you."
That is, while Jesus was conducting his earthly ministry, his disciples were shielded from violence.
"But now I am on my way to the one who sent me – though none of you has understood what I mean by that.
"Yet, what I have been telling you has made you all very sad.
"But here is an important point: It is to your benefit that I go away. If I don't leave, the Comforter won't come to you. But, if I depart, I will send him to you.
"And once he comes, he will reprove the world, showing up sin, making plain righteousness and bringing judgment.
"The sin is that they don't trust me.
"The righteousness is that I go to my Father, and you see me no more.
"The judgment is: the ruler of this world is condemned.
"I have much more to tell you, but you can't deal with it yet.
"But, the Spirit of truth, once he comes, will guide you into all truth. He won't speak his own words, but only what he hears. And, he will show you things that are coming.
"He will glorify me. He will receive what is from me and show it to you.
"Everything of the Father's is mine. That's why I said the Spirit will take my things and show them to you.
"A little while from now you won't see me. A little while later and you will see me, because I go to my Father."
Again, his disciples didn't really understand Jesus' teachings. They seemed to them to be some very mysterious ramblings, and so, off to the side, they asked each other, "What can he mean by a little while, you won't see me and then a little while, you will see me?"
Jesus, aware of their puzzlement, said, "Are you asking each other what that means: a little while...
"I really mean it when I tell you that while the world is rejoicing, you will weep and mourn. But, your sorrow will turn into joy.
"When it is time for a woman to give birth, she is tormented by labor pains. But as soon as the baby is born, she forgets all about the agony and is instead very happy that her new baby has arrived in the world.
"Right now, you are a glum lot. But, we will meet again. And you'll be very happy – so happy that no one can take it away."
"Then all the questions you have now will be answered.
"In the past, you have never asked God for anything in my name. But now you may ask, and you will receive, and be full of joy.
"My teachings have often been conveyed to you figuratively. Yet the time is coming when I won't be so indirect, but will show you plainly what comes from the Father.
"When that time comes, you will ask something in my name – but I won't say that I will ask the Father for you. That is because the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came forth from God.
"I came forth from the Father, and have come into the world. Now it's time for me to leave the world, and go to the Father."
The clouds began to part from the minds of the disciples, as they were able to grasp some of what Jesus was saying.
"We can tell that you know everything and that you don't need any human to inform you. So, we are sure that God sent you."
Jesus replied, "Oh, now you believe? Well, listen to this: The time is coming – and is here now – when everyone scatters, fleeing his own way, and leaves me alone. But, I won't be alone. The Father is with me.
"I tell you all this so that you can relax – even though in this world you will have much distress. But be happy: I have overcome the world."
Jesus lifted his eyes skyward and said, "Father, it's time. Glorify your son so that your son may glorify you."
The writer of John comments that the Father has given the son power over all humanity so that he may grant life to every person the Father has given to the son.
The writer adds, "Eternal life is this: Knowing the only true God and knowing Jesus, the one anointed and sent by God."
Jesus continued in overheard prayer, "I have glorified you on earth. I have finished the work you gave me to do.
"And now, Father, please glorify me with the glory of yourself which I had before there was a world.
"I have made known your name to the people whom you gave me from out of the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me. And they have kept your word.
"Now they know that everything you have given me really is from you.
"For I have given them the words you gave me, and they have received them, and certainly realize that I came from you, believing that I am your messenger.
"I pray for them. I don't pray for the world, but for those you have given me – for they are yours.
"And all mine are yours and yours are mine. And I am glorified in them.
"Now I am no longer in the world, though these are. I come to you, Precious Father. Please keep in your own name those you have given me so that they may be one, as we are one.
"While I was with them in the world, I kept them in your name. Those whom you gave me I have kept, and not one of them is lost – except the man of the abyss, whose extinction fulfills scripture.
"It's time for me to come to you. These things I say while here in the world are for them, so that they fill up with the joy I experience.
"I have given them your word. The world hates them, because they are like me: not of this world.
"I don't ask that you take them out of the world but that you keep them clear of evil.
"They are not of this world, just as I am not of this world.
"Sanctify them through your truth. Your word is truth.
"As you have sent me into the world, so have I also sent them into the world.
"And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.
"I am not only praying for these, but I also pray for those who come to believe through their word – so that they all may be one, as you Father are in me and I in you. May they all be one in us. That will let the world know that you have sent me.
"The glory you gave me I share with them, so that they may be one, just as we are one.
"I in them and you in me. Then they will be completed as one. That will let the world know that you have sent me, and that you love them as you have loved me.
"Father, I desire that they, whom you have given me, also be with me where I am so that they may see my glory, which you have given me. For you loved me before the world was founded.
"O Righteous Father, the world hasn't known you, but I have – and these know that you have sent me.
"And I have declared to them your name, and I will declare it – so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them. And I in them."
By declare, Jesus means more than uttering a verbalism for God. He means that he has made known the reality of the true God to these poor men.
After crossing Kedron Creek and reaching Olive Hill, Jesus and his disciples entered an enclosed park named Gethsemane (Olive Press) at the foot of that hill.
Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and told the others, "Wait here while I pray."
Once in the park, he became greatly distressed.
"My soul feels so much sorrow – right down to the pit of death," he said, telling the three, "Wait here, and observe."
Then he went forward about a stone's throw and fell to the ground, praying that, if possible, his appointment with death might pass away.
"Father, all things are possible with you," he moaned. "Remove this cup from me."
His prayer became so intense that he sweated what looked like large drops of blood. [LSz1],[LSz2]
But, finally, Jesus said, "Yet let not my will, but your will, be done."
After this, he returned to his students and found them sleeping.
This raises the question of who witnessed this prayer in order for the Marcan writer to learn of it. One possibility is that one of the three disciples had not yet quite nodded off. Another possibility is that an anonymous youth who barely escaped arrest was the witness.[LSz1]
"Simon, you're sleeping?" he said. "You couldn't even keep watch for an hour?
"Stay awake and pray, so that you don't enter into temptation. The spirit is indeed willing, but the flesh is weak."
Jesus went back to pray more and returned again one or two more times to find everybody sleeping. Their eyelids were heavy and they did not know what to say when Jesus awakened them.
When he came back the final time, he said, "Sleep on now, and take your rest. The time has come. Look, the son of man is delivered into the hands of sinners. The one who betrays me is here."
And as he was speaking, Judah arrived with a large party of armed men who had been sent by the Temple authorities.
Judah had told the militia leader, "Whomever I kiss, that is the one you are to arrest."
In those days in that area, a kiss was considered a polite form of greeting among friends and relatives.
So as Jesus' face shone with reflected torchlight and moonlight, Judah walked over to him, saying, "Hello, Rabbi," and kissed him.
"Judah, you betray the son of man with a kiss?" said Jesus.
Then Jesus walked a few paces toward the militiamen and asked, "Who are you looking for?"
The commander replied, "Jesus from Nazareth."
"I am he," said Jesus.
As soon as the word I am went forth, the men recoiled backward and stumbled in confusion.
Then Jesus again asked, "Who are you looking for?"
The commander again replied, "Jesus from Nazareth."
"I told you I'm that man," said Jesus. "So if you are here for me, let these others go."
Thus was fulfilled the word he had spoken earlier: I have lost none of those whom you gave me.
Jesus then said to the militia officers, "Have you come out against a robber, with swords and clubs, to seize me? I was with you every day in the Temple, teaching, and you did not arrest me. But this is your hour, the hour of the dark power."
This unjust arrest occurred in accordance with Scripture.
The militia group drew near to arrest Jesus, but as they did, Simon Peter took one of the two swords and swung it, slicing off the ear of the high priest's servant.
Jesus told Peter, "Sheath your sword. Am I not to drink the cup my Father has given me?"
As Peter darted backward, the militiamen seized Jesus, quickly putting fetters on him.
As the soldiers moved, Peter and the others were able to make their escape under cover of darkness.
A youth who had followed Jesus and the disciples was wearing only a linen cloth. The soldiers tried to seize him but he ran away naked, leaving them clutching the cloth.
Mark is the only one who records this curious incident. There have been a number of suggestions as to its meaning, with no real agreement. What can be said is that the incident points to a probable historical event, for what would be the purpose of incorporating a fictional account here? And, this point adds to numerous other observations that tend to show that many of the scenes recorded in the gospels are based on historical events.
The same can be said for the "discrepancy" over the timing of the last supper.
The same can be said for the "discrepancy" over the timing of the last supper.
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Trial
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