final week of the incarnated christ Archives

The Final Week of the Incarnated Christ 6

We almost finished Thursday of Christ’s Holy week, leaving off with the completion of the Last Supper (see part 5).

Thursday (cont.)

It is late in the evening. Jesus accompanies His 11 disciples to the garden of Gethsemane, lying at the foot of the Mount of Olives, to pray. First, He prayed for His glorification through His crucifixion and resurrection, to complete His earthly mission:

“Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son so he can give glory back to you. For you have given him authority over everyone. He gives eternal life to each one you have given him. And this is the way to have eternal life – to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth.

I bring glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. Now, Father, bring me into the glory we shared before the world began.” Jn. 17:1 – 5. NLT

(While Jesus was here on earth, he offered prayers and pleadings, with a loud cry and tears, to the one who could rescue him from death. And God heard his prayers because of his deep reverence for God. Heb. 5:7 NLT)

(…he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born a human being. When he appeared in human from, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow… Phil. 2:7 – 10. NLT)

(Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. Eph. 1:4, 5. NLT)

God is placing Jesus in charge of all living things. Christ has successfully relayed the full Gospel message. He has demonstrated, through Himself, what God is like, and He is letting us know again, that He existed with His Father long before they created this universe.

Next, Jesus prayed for His apostles – praying for God to bestow upon them the joy of His Son, to protect them from Satan, to be unified in purpose, and for Jehovah to shower them with love.

Finally, He prayed for the same blessings for everyone who places their faith in Him, throughout time.

As the night grew later still, Jesus took Peter, John, and James deeper into the garden and said:

“My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” Mt. 26:38 NLT

It was the human flesh Christ enveloped Himself in, that was fearful, not His Spirit. He went a little further into the garden by Himself to pray, when that same flesh motivated Him to say:

“My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me.”

And at that moment, Jesus gets past His fleshly weakness, and proceeds with His divine imperative:

“Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” Mt. 26:39 NLT

An angel came and strengthened Him. Afterwards, He prayed so hard, that His sweat was like drops of blood. He continued to pray until morning…

Friday

When Jesus finished praying, He found His ‘watchful trio’ sleeping. He awakens them and says:

“…look – the time has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Up, let’s be going. Look, my betrayer is here!” Mt. 26:45, 46. NLT

Exactly when Jesus said those words, Judas Iscariot entered the garden, accompanied by the Temple guards (provided by the chief priests), along with an armed crowd. Immediately, Judas approaches Jesus to identify Him to the guards.

Jesus addresses him:

“Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” Lk. 22:48 NLT

At that very moment, Peter draws a sword and cuts the ear off a servant of the high priest. Jesus immediately reaches out and heals the servant. He turns and rebukes Peter:

“Put away your sword,” Jesus told him. “Those who use the sword will die by the sword. Don’t you realize that I could ask my Father for thousands of angels to protect us, and he would send them instantly?” Mt. 26:52, 53. NLT

(We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. 2 Cor. 10:4)

“Put your sword back into its sheath. Shall I not drink from the cup of suffering the Father has given me?” Jn. 18:11 NLT

Then, just as Jesus had prophesied, all His apostles deserted Him…

Christ was arrested, bound, and dragged before Annas [who was the father-in-law of the reigning high priest (Caiaphas), and had just previously held the same office – which still afforded him some authority.] Annas questioned Him about His teachings.

Jesus responded to Him by referring to His guileless transparency:

“Everyone knows what I teach. I have preached regularly in the synagogues and the Temple, where the people gather. I have not spoken in secret.” Jn. 18:20 NLT

One of the arresting officers did not care for Jesus’ response and slapped Him across the face, demanding greater respect for Annas. Christ simply countered the officer by telling him that He had done nothing to deserve such violent abuse. He was simply telling the truth.

This was the first blow Christ took for us in His ‘passion.’ The word ‘passion,’ is defined as an extreme emotion, or an act of extreme emotion. The ‘passion of Christ’ refers to His extreme love of all humankind, and His demonstration of that love from the very beginning of His ministry. The culmination of this love is seen and felt in the laying down of His own life, so that you or any other person that accepts Him as their Savior, should experience eternal life.

Annas wasn’t getting anywhere with Jesus, so he sent Him to Caiaphas – as he was the only one who could bring formal charges against Him.

Caiaphas was gathered with the Sanhedrin, where they brought false witnesses to accuse Jesus of blasphemy. However, none of the reports corroborated each other – which is required by Jewish law.

Jesus remained silent during the entire proceeding. Frustrated, Caiaphas asked Him directly if He was the Son of God. He replied:

“You have said it. And in the future you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God’s right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Mt. 26:64 NLT

(He never sinned, nor deceived anyone. He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly. 1 Pt. 2:22, 23. NLT)

Jesus’ declaration of His Sonship was the straw that broke the camel’s back for Caiaphas. He accused Christ of blasphemy for claiming His divinity. The council pronounced a sentence of death. They spat in His face, mocked Him, and beat Him.

All the while, Peter is watching the proceedings from the courtyard. During this time, 3 people approached him, saying that they recognized him, having seen him with Jesus. Peter denied knowing Him, and during his third denial, a rooster crowed – exactly as He predicted.

Jesus turned to make eye contact with Peter. The apostle wept.

Judas of Iscariot was also slinking nearby; and when he heard the pronouncement of His death sentence, he was filled with remorse and tried to return his 30 pieces of silver blood money to the chief priests, pleading:

“I have sinned, ” he declared, “for I have betrayed an innocent man.”

“What do we care?” they retorted. “That’s your problem.” Mt. 27:4 NLT

Judas threw the money into the Temple and went out and hung himself.

The Sanhedrin did not have the authority to execute Jesus’ sentence. Thus, they bound Him and sent Him to one who did – Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea.

When Pilate asked them what Jesus was being accused of, the Sanhedrin balked a little, saying that He was an ‘evil doer.’ Then they said that He was misleading the nation, calling Himself a king, and telling people not to pay their taxes to Caesar.

Pilate directly asked Him:

“Are you the King of the Jews?” And He answered him, “It is just as you say.” Lk. 23:3 AMP

“You say [correctly] that I am a King. This is why I was born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth [who is a friend of the truth and belongs to the truth] hears and listens carefully to My voice.” Jn. 18:37 AMP

(…of Christ Jesus, who gave a good confession before Pontius Pilate… 1 Tim. 6:13 CSB)

Pilate responds:

“What is truth?” Pilate asked. Then he went out again to the people and told them, “He is not guilty of any crime.” Jn. 18:38 NLT

Pilate then learned that Christ was from Galilee. So, he shipped Him off to the Jewish governor of that region – Herod Antipas. Herod was excited because he thought Jesus would perform some miracles.

Instead, Jesus remained silent – even when the chief priests and scribes were hurling false charges at Him. Herod and his soldiers mocked Him and sent Him back to Pilate.

Pilate told Christ’s accusers that neither he nor Herod found any fault in Jesus. Indeed, Pilate now realized that He was innocent of any wrongdoing. He could see that Jesus’ accusers were motivated by pure envy.

Even Pilate’s wife sent him a message regarding Jesus, saying:

“Leave that innocent man alone. I suffered through a terrible nightmare about him last night.” Mt. 27:19 NLT

So, Pilate thought he could work an angle. During the Passover feast, it was customary for the Roman governors to release one Jewish prisoner, as a gesture of good will. This year, it was to be for a murderer named Barabbas.

He thought to release Jesus instead of Barabbas, but first had Him scourged, (flogged with a whip with metal and glass attachments that gouged out large pieces of flesh), to try to appease the Sanhedrin.

Pilate then had Christ adorned in a purple gown and sporting a crown of thorns. He then presented Him to the crowd, who, by this time was whipped into a frenzy by the Sanhedrin, calling out for His death.

Still trying to find a way to get out of being an accomplice to His death, Pilate asks the crowd what it is that they think is the nature of His crime. They answer:

“By our law he ought to die because he called himself the Son of God.” Jn. 19:7 NLT

When Pilate heard that, he became more fearful of his complicity. He asked Jesus about where He was from, but He remained silent. Frustrated, Pilate tells Him that he has the power to release Him. Jesus breaks His silence:

“You would have no authority over Me at all if it had not been given to you from above. For this reason, the sin and guilt of the one who handed Me over to you is greater [than your own].” Jn. 19:11 AMP

Pilate tried to release Jesus, but the crowd demanded the release of Barabbas. And they told him that they would go to Caesar and tell him that Pilate wouldn’t punish a criminal who declared himself a ‘king.’

So when Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but rather that a riot was breaking out, he took water and washed his hands [to ceremonially cleanse himself of guilt] in the presence of the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this [righteous’ Man’s blood; see to that yourselves.” Mt. 27:24.

Goodnight and God bless.

The Final Week of the Incarnated Christ 4

In the earlier parts of this series, (see Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3, and The Son of Man Lays Bare His Fate), we covered Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday; His second cleansing of the Temple and His last public address, on Monday.

On Tuesday of His final week, He preached in the Temple, exposed the Pharisees and scribes for the evil phonies that they were and separated Himself from them as He leaves the Temple for the last time. Finally, Jesus opened the apostles’ eyes about the ‘end times,’ and of His second advent.

Wednesday

Jesus and company gathered, and He told His apostles the exact time of His crucifixion:

“As you know, Passover begins in two days, and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.” Mt. 26:2 NLT

At this same point in time, the Bible tells us that the chief priests and the church elders were plotting the death of Jesus:

At the same time the leading priests and elders were meeting at the residence of Caiaphas, the high priest, plotting how to capture Jesus secretly and kill him. “But not during the Passover celebration,” they agreed, “or the people may riot.” Mt. 26:3 – 5. NLT

(“This is what the Sovereign LORD says: ‘I now consider these shepherds my enemies, and I will hold them responsible for what has happened to my flock.’ Eze. 34:10 NLT)

How did the plotters find a way to kill Christ? The devil himself came to their aid:

Then Satan entered into Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve disciples, and he went to the leading priests and captains of the Temple guard to discuss the best way to betray Jesus to them.

They were delighted, and they promised to give him money. So he agreed and began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus so they could arrest him when the crowds weren’t around. Lk. 22:3 – 6. NLT

So, we see that Judas, one of Christ’s hand-picked apostles, betrayed Him – sending the Son of God to His death for money (30 pieces of silver, to be exact).

(But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.

And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows. 1 Tim. 6:9, 10. NLT)

Jesus and His apostles return to Bethany for the last time. They enter the house of ‘Simon the Leper.’ (That’s our merciful Jesus, always compassionate – even in the face of loveless conventions.)

While there, Mary of Bethany, (also accompanied by her brother Lazarus), anoints Jesus’ head and feet with pure nard (an extremely expensive perfume). The disciples complained among themselves, saying that the nard could have been sold to feed the poor. Judas was the most vociferous in his complaints. The Bible reveals why:

Not that he cared for the poor – he was a thief, and since he was in charge of the disciples’ money, he often stole some for himself. Jn. 12:6 NLT

Christ put a stop to their complaints:

“Why criticize this woman for doing such a good thing to me? You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me. She has poured this perfume on me to prepare my body for burial.” Mt. 26:10 – 12. NLT

Thursday

Jesus sent Peter and John to Jerusalem to prepare the Passover meal. The Bible gives us an appreciation of the state of Christ’s heart at this moment:

Now before the Passover Feast, Jesus knew that His hour had come [and it was time] for Him to leave the world and return to the Father. Having greatly loved His own who were in the world, He loved them [and continuously loves them with His perfect love] to the end (eternally). Jn. 13:1 AMP

Steadfast, loving, and faithful Jesus!

In the evening, Christ and the twelve apostles gathered to partake of the Passover meal. Jesus began to speak:

“I have been very eager to eat this Passover meal with you before my suffering begins. For I tell you now that I won’t eat this meal again until its meaning is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God.” Lk. 22:15, 16. NLT

What Jesus is saying is that He would dine with all the children of God at the end of time, when they enter the Kingdom during what is referred to as the ‘marriage supper of the Lamb.’

Christ is initiating the ushering in of a spiritual transition for God’s children, wrapped up in God’s final Covenant with His children. Christ is becoming the sacrificial Lamb, and it is His blood that will bring salvation.

This ‘Last Supper’ celebration (Communion) replaces the Passover meal for His followers, because at His resurrection, He will step into the role of the ultimate liberator of God’s children. He becomes the Key to His Father’s kingdom.

During dinner, the disciples once again start arguing over who will be greatest in heaven. Jesus sets them straight:

“Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant. Who is more important, the one who sits at the table or the one who serves? The one who sits at the table of course.

“But not here! For I am among you as one who serves.” Lk. 22:26, 27. NLT

Again, the Bible makes us privy of Jesus’ thoughts, and of the action that He decides to take, to bring them greater clarity over what He had just said:

Now when it was time for supper, the devil had already put into the heart of Judas, Simon Iscariot’s son, to betray him. Jn. 13:2 CSB

Jesus knew that the Father had given everything into his hands, that he had come from God, and that he was going back to God. So he got up from supper, laid aside his outer clothing, took a towel, and tied it around himself. Jn. 13:3, 4. CSB

This is not where Judas goes bad. Remember that he is assisting Jesus’ enemies in a plot to kill Him. And before that, Jesus had alluded that one of his apostles was a devil (Jn. 6:70).

Christ began to wash the disciples’ feet, beginning with Peter. Peter objects, saying that it is he who should wash Jesus’ feet. He delivers a stern rebuke to his disciple:

“Unless I wash you, you have no part with Me [we can have nothing to do with each other].” Jn. 13:8 AMP

Peter understands and allows his feet to be washed, even so far as to tell Jesus that He can wash his whole body, (tongue-in-cheek). He responds:

“A person who has bathed all over does not need to wash, except for the feet, to be entirely clean. And you disciples are clean but not all of you.” Jn. 13:10 NLT

Jesus is providing us with great insights:

One: There is no task that is too menial in terms of servitude.

Two: We must submit to the will of Christ

Three: The washing of the feet was symbolic of the necessity of the cleansing of the soul

and spirit, by the blood of our Savior, to enter communion with He and His Father.

Four: Once you’ve made the decision to follow Him, you are washed completely by His

righteousness. Afterwards, you just must tend to your daily walk with Him – keeping

your feet clean.

Note too, that once again, Jesus is alluding to Judas’ guilt (unclean). Now, He starts zeroing in on His imminent betrayal:

“I am not saying these things to all of you; I know the ones I have chosen. But this fulfills the Scripture that says, ‘The one who eats my food has turned against me.’ (Ps. 41:9) I tell you this beforehand, so that when it happens you will believe that I AM the Messiah.” Jn. 13:18, 19. NLT

Now Jesus was deeply troubled, and he exclaimed, “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me!” Jn. 13:21 NLT

Then, Christ spoke into John’s ear alone:

“It is the one to whom I give the bread I dip in the bowl.” And when he dipped it, he gave it to Judas, son of Simon Iscariot.

When Judas had eaten the bread, Satan entered into him. The Jesus told him, “Hurry and do what you’re going to do.” Jn. 13:26, 27. NLT

So Judas left at once, going out into the night… Jn. 13:30 NLT

The night is young, and the rest of Thursday of the Holy Week beckons. Next time.

Goodnight and God bless.

The Final Week of the Incarnated Christ

The final week of the incarnated Christ actually began on Palm Sunday (see The Son of Man Lays Bare His Fate).

Monday

On Monday of this final week, Jesus gathered His apostles to return to Jerusalem. During the journey, became hungry. He saw a fig tree with leaves, but no fruit. Jesus speaks to the tree:

“May no one ever eat your fruit again!” Mk. 11:14 NLT

The apostles are totally befuddled with regards to why Christ curses the fig tree, but not a word was said.

Arriving in Jerusalem, they head straight to the Temple. As it was when He first went into the Temple 3 years prior, (Jn. 2:13 – 16), the courtyard is again filled merchants and moneychangers. Just like that first time, Jesus runs these people out of the courtyard; but this time His admonition was far more biting:

“The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves!” Mt. 21:13 NLT (see also Is. 56:7; Jer. 7:11; Mal. 3:1 – 4.)

Once the ‘thieves’ were cast out, Jesus entered the Temple and began healing the blind and the crippled. Children entered as well, and they shouted:

“Hosanna to the Son of David!” Mt. 21:15 NKJV

The chief priests and the scribes were offended over all the commotion. They asked Christ if He was aware of what the children were shouting (recognizing Jesus as the Messiah), and He responds:

“Yes,” Jesus replied. “Haven’t you ever read the Scriptures? For they say, ‘You have taught children and infants to give you praise.’” Mt. 2:16 NLT

Jesus is paraphrasing Ps. 8:2., inferring that they should follow the children’s example! In response, they withdraw to consort with one another to hatch a plot for Christ’s demise.

A group of Greek (could also be translated as ‘Gentiles’) worshipers at the Temple approached the apostles, requesting an audience with Jesus. He denies their request and says to His apostles:

“Now the time has come for the Son of Man to enter into his glory.” Jn. 12:23 NLT

Jesus is saying that He must first suffer the crucifixion – closing the opportunity for salvation for the Jews who rejected Him during His incarnated visit on earth. Also, He must be resurrected, bringing glory to His Father and to Himself, before He can begin to gather the Gentiles to the Kingdom of God. (Remember that it was God’s plan to save the Jews first):

(We also know that the Son of Man did not come to help angels; he came to help the descendants of Abraham. Heb. 2:16)

Christ then gives the apostles a greater depth as to the ‘necessity’ of His death:

“…unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone [just one grain, never more]. But if it dies, it produces much grain and yields a harvest.” Jn. 12:24 AMP

(…Christ’s death was to be the source of spiritual life to the world. From his cross and passions was to spring up a mighty harvest of benefit to all mankind. His death, like a grain of seed-corn, was to be the root of blessings and mercies to countless immortal souls. J.C. Ryle)

So, unless the ‘seed’ of Jesus dies, and is planted in the earth, (in the hearts of His followers), His fruit of a world-wide church spreading the Gospel, would not have been possible.

Then, He tells the apostles that there is a bonus for those who become part of His church:

“The one who loves his life [eventually] loses it [through death], but the one who hates his life in this world [and is concerned with pleasing God] will keep it for life eternal. If anyone serves Me, he must [continue to faithfully] follow Me without hesitation, holding steadfastly to Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me]; and wherever I am [in heaven’s glory], there will My servant be also. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.” Jn. 12:25, 26. AMP

(As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified…What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation. May God’s peace and mercy be upon all who live by this principle; they are the new people of God. Gal. 6:14 – 16. NLT)

At this point, Jesus allows a little bit of His human anguish to express itself. However, we also see that His purposeful intent to do His Father’s will, remains intact:

“Now my soul is deeply troubled. Should I pray, ‘Father, save me from

this hour? But this is the very reason I came!” Jn. 12:27 NLT

Then, Jesus speaks to His Father, telling Him that He is ready to press forward:

“Father, bring glory to your name.” Jn. 12:28 NLT

Miraculously, Jehovah’s voice booms from heaven in response:

“I have already brought glory to my name, and I will do so again.” Jn. 12:28 NLT

This draws a crowd, some believing it was thunder, others thinking it was angel that spoke to Jesus. He addresses them:

“The voice was for your benefit, not mine. The time for judging the world has come, when Satan, the ruler of this world, will be cast out. And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.” He said this to indicate how he was going to die. Jn. 12:30 – 33. NLT

Christ has given the crowd a lot to ponder. First, He said that God spoke out of the sky, so that these dunderheads might wake up and see who Jesus is, and to begin to understand the events that are unfolding before their eyes.

Second, He is pointing out that the earth will no longer be judged by the ‘old ruler’ of this world (Satan), who has been doing so since Adam and Eve. Upon Jesus’ resurrection, He will usurp the devil’s control, and He will rule and judge the earth.

Finally, He was saying that after His resurrection, He will call everyone on this globe to come to Him for eternal life. Each individual’s outcome will be determined by how they prepared themselves – by doing their best to walk a godly walk, and foremost, if they accepted Christ as their savior.

The crowd’s not getting it, because they say that the Mosaic Law teaches that the ‘Christ’ will live forever. They ask Him if He is the Messiah, why does He have to be crucified? And why does He call himself the Son of Man?

That sly Jesus doesn’t answer them directly, but prods them towards thinking on a deeper level, when He says:

“My light will shine for you just a little longer. Walk in the light while you can, so the darkness will not overtake you. Those who walk in the darkness cannot see where they are going. Put your trust in the light while there is still time; then you will become children of light.” Jn. 12:35, 36. NLT

How did the crowd respond?

But despite all the miraculous signs Jesus had done, most of the people still did not believe in him. Jn. 12:37 NLT

Some did believe, but would not admit it, because they did not want to be excommunicated from the synagogue. Why the attitude?

For they loved human praise more than the praise of God. Jn. 12:43 NLT

Jesus knows His earthly time is coming to a close. He turns to the crowd once more, in an attempt to save them, through His final public address:

“If you trust me, you are trusting not only me, but also God who sent me. For when you see me, you are seeing the one who sent me.

“I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark.

“I will not judge those who hear me but don’t obey me, for I have come to save the world and not to judge it. But all who reject me and my message will be judged on the day of judgment by the truth I have spoken.

“I don’t speak on my own authority. The Father who sent me has commanded me what to say and how to say it. And I know his commands lead to eternal life; so I say whatever the Father tells me to say.” Jn. 12:44 – 50. NLT

(“The Father and I are one.” Jn. 10:30 NLT)

(Anyone who wanders away from this teaching has no relationship with God. But anyone who remains in the teaching of Christ has a relationship with both the Father and the Son. 2 Jn. 9 NLT)

When we see, feel, hear Jesus Christ, we are seeing, feeling, and hearing Jehovah, because His essence permeates His Son.

Christ came to save us from ourselves, because He knows that it is our conduct that will either exalt or condemn us. The words of Christ are the words of God – and they alone are the keys to eternity.

And with that, the Monday of the final week of the incarnated Christ was concluded. Jesus and His apostles returned to Bethany…

Goodnight and God bless.

final week of the incarnated christ

It is late in the evening. Jesus accompanies His 11 disciples to the garden of Gethsemane, lying at the foot of the Mount of Olives, to pray. First, He prayed for His glorification through His crucifixion and resurrection, to complete His earthly mission:

God is placing Jesus in charge of all living things. Christ has successfully relayed the full Gospel message. He has demonstrated, through Himself, what God is like, and He is letting us know again, that He existed with His Father long before they created this universe.

As the night grew later still, Jesus took Peter, John, and James deeper into the garden and said:

Exactly when Jesus said those words, Judas Iscariot entered the garden, accompanied by the Temple guards (provided by the chief priests), along with an armed crowd. Immediately, Judas approaches Jesus to identify Him to the guards.

Christ was arrested, bound, and dragged before Annas [who was the father-in-law of the reigning high priest (Caiaphas), and had just previously held the same office – which still afforded him some authority.] Annas questioned Him about His teachings.

Jesus’ declaration of His Sonship was the straw that broke the camel’s back for Caiaphas. He accused Christ of blasphemy for claiming His divinity. The council pronounced a sentence of death. They spat in His face, mocked Him, and beat Him.

Judas of Iscariot was also slinking nearby; and when he heard the pronouncement of His death sentence, he was filled with remorse and tried to return his 30 pieces of silver blood money to the chief priests, pleading:

The Sanhedrin did not have the authority to execute Jesus’ sentence. Thus, they bound Him and sent Him to one who did – Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea.

Pilate told Christ’s accusers that neither he nor Herod found any fault in Jesus. Indeed, Pilate now realized that He was innocent of any wrongdoing. He could see that Jesus’ accusers were motivated by pure envy.

Jesus and company gathered, and He told His apostles the exact time of His crucifixion:

How did the plotters find a way to kill Christ? The devil himself came to their aid:

Jesus and His apostles return to Bethany for the last time. They enter the house of ‘Simon the Leper.’ (That’s our merciful Jesus, always compassionate – even in the face of loveless conventions.)

Jesus sent Peter and John to Jerusalem to prepare the Passover meal. The Bible gives us an appreciation of the state of Christ’s heart at this moment:

What Jesus is saying is that He would dine with all the children of God at the end of time, when they enter the Kingdom during what is referred to as the ‘marriage supper of the Lamb.’

During dinner, the disciples once again start arguing over who will be greatest in heaven. Jesus sets them straight:

Again, the Bible makes us privy of Jesus’ thoughts, and of the action that He decides to take, to bring them greater clarity over what He had just said:

Jesus is providing us with great insights:

Note too, that once again, Jesus is alluding to Judas’ guilt (unclean). Now, He starts zeroing in on His imminent betrayal:

On Monday of this final week, Jesus gathered His apostles to return to Jerusalem. During the journey, became hungry. He saw a fig tree with leaves, but no fruit. Jesus speaks to the tree:

So, unless the ‘seed’ of Jesus dies, and is planted in the earth, (in the hearts of His followers), His fruit of a world-wide church spreading the Gospel, would not have been possible.

At this point, Jesus allows a little bit of His human anguish to express itself. However, we also see that His purposeful intent to do His Father’s will, remains intact:

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