Jesus’ Fourth Day
We have come to Jesus’ fourth day of this eventful week. Today, His disciples prepare Jesus final meal, and He shares it with them.
Time is short. Jesus asks God for this final meal with His disciples before He is taken from them. During the day, Jesus continues to teach in the Temple, while Peter and John prepare the Passover meal for them all.
As I was not physically present during these events, I am doing my best to put things in order. I will NOT guarantee the accuracy of my interpretation. I am asking the Holy Spirit to guide this journey and will trust Him to tell me when things are out of place or forgotten. He has already done that a few times during our final week with Jesus. Let’s continue to allow Him to lead the way as we head into Jesus last day of ministry.
One final note before we rejoin Jesus in Bethany. The Jews mark time different than the rest of the world. Their days do not begin at sunrise, but at sunset.
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Jesus’ heart is heavy. He knows exactly what lies ahead. He has one day left with His disciples. When this day concludes, everything will shift. He breathes in a steadying breath as He rises from His bed.
“This is the last time I will do this” He thinks as He straightens His covers. “There are going to be a lot of ‘last times’ today” He tells Himself.
After remaking His bed, Jesus joins His disciples for a quick meal.
“It’s time to go” Jesus says after placing a few items in a sack for their journey.
Everyone quickly completes their preparations and joins Jesus outside of Lazarus’ house. Within minutes, they set off for Jerusalem. Today is the 13th of Nissan. The day to remove all leaven from the home and, according to God’s commandment, the night the Passover lamb is to be killed.
As the group makes its way towards Jerusalem, Peter and John catch up to Jesus and walk beside Him for a time. They need instructions for the day.
“Where will you have us prepare for you to eat the Passover?” (Matthew 26:17).
Jesus looks towards Jerusalem as He answers. “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him, and wherever he enters, say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says, Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ And he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready; there prepare for us” (Mark 14:13-15).
Peter and John look at one another and nod. They know it normally takes all day to prepare the Passover meal. They also know they will probably need some of the women’s help.
Peter and John drop back into the group and enlist the help of two of the women; Mary Magdalene, and Jesus’ mother.
“Jesus has asked us to prepare the Passover for Him in Jerusalem. Can you help us please?”
“Of course we will” both women chorus.
“We need to hurry on ahead, so we can get everything done in time” says Peter.
With that, the four quicken their pace and move beyond Jesus and the rest of the disciples. They don’t run, but they aren’t far from that pace either.
When they reach Jerusalem, all of them are short of breath. They take a minute to catch their breath, then set out in search of the man Jesus said they will meet. They have NO doubt that they will find this man.
The group steps through the gates and almost collide with a man carrying a water jar. Smiles appear instantly on their faces, knowing they have found the man.
“Jesus did say that he would ‘meet’ us” whispers Peter. “We need to follow him now.”
The four set of following the man, several paces behind him. They don’t want to crowd him, but they can’t lose track of him either.
The man is oblivious to the four people following him. The city is teeming with people, so being a few steps ahead or behind someone is nothing unusual. Going straight to his home, the man opens his gate and steps beyond it. A voice catches his attention.
“Sir, we need to speak with you please” John calls to him from the other side of the gate.
The man lowers his water jug and turns to face those speaking to him.
“Speak. I am listening.”
“I am Peter, this is John. We have come with a message for you from our Teacher.”
The man raises an eyebrow. “My name is Nathan, and do I know your Teacher?”
John looks at Peter and whispers; “Just tell him the message. Let the Lord do the rest.”
Peter repeats Jesus words exactly as he received them. “The Teacher says, Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?”
Light dawns in the Nathan’s eyes. He had this exact dream two days ago. He KNEW this dream was from the Lord. When he woke from the dream, he began preparing his upper room for the one who would come seeking it.
“Come with me” Nathan says while opening the gate.
The group follows Nathan into his home and to a large room on an upper floor. When they step into the room, they are amazed at what they see. It is as if someone had told Nathan ahead of time how many to expect and what would be needed.
“This is perfect” exclaims John.
Peter shakes his head in wonder. “Another of Jesus’ miracles.”
“There is a private entrance on the far side as well” Nathan informs them as he walks across the room and opens a second door. Steps lead down the side of the house and into the garden. “It is all yours.”
“Thank you, Nathan. Jesus will certainly appreciate all your hard work and your generosity.”
“If there is anything else He needs, you have only to ask.”
“We will begin preparations for the meal right away. As you know, it takes some time.”
Nathan smiles. “That it does. I will leave you to your tasks.”
As Nathan retreats back into the house, the four followers begin to marvel at the room.
“How did He know?” Mary Magdalene asks with wonder in her eyes.
“I stopped asking that a LONG time ago” replies Jesus’ mother; Mary.
The four set out for the market to begin the preparations.
As these four are engaged in preparing the Passover meal, Jesus and the rest of His followers enter into the Temple again. The merchants are still outside the Temple wall. They don’t want to be overturned again.
Jesus heads for the stairs that are on the border of the Court of the Gentiles and the Outer Court. This seems to be His favorite place to teach from.
The Pharisees groan when they see Jesus. They have no ‘ammunition’ to fight with Him today. They were THRILLED when He didn’t stay in the city yesterday. They were hoping for another day of reprieve.
As they religious leaders resign themselves to biding their time, they notice Judas looking their way. He does a small shake of his head in their direction, indicating that this is not the time or place, but that he is still committed to the task. Their leader dips his head in response.
While Jesus is taking His place on the steps, a group of Greeks, who have come to worship the Lord during the Passover approach Philip.
“Sir, we wish to see Jesus” (John 12:21).
Philip is surprised by their request. “Wait here. I will see what I can do.”
Philip quickly goes to Andrew and tells him of the request. Together, they go to Jesus.
“Teacher, a group of Greeks have requested to see You.”
Jesus looks up and follows Philip’s arm as he points out the group. Jesus extends His hand towards the group in welcome.
“The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him” (John 12:23-26).
The Greeks are captivated by Jesus’ words, but they don’t know how they apply to them.
Jesus bows His head and wags it from side to side for a moment. “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name” (John 12:27-28).
A voice from heaven rings out; “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again” (John 12:28).
The sound rumbles through the air and raises the hairs on the backs of the peoples’ necks. Many turn their eyes towards the heavens, looking for the storm that produced the ‘thunder’. But others recognized the sound as a voice from above.
“An angel has spoken to him” (John 12:29) they breathe.
Jesus looks out over them and says; “This voice has come for your sake, not mine. Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself” (John 12:30-32).
The people don’t understand, and they have questions. “We have heard from the Law that the Christ remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?” (John 12:34).
Jesus knows that they won’t understand; yet. But He calls to them to believe on Him. “The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light” (John 12:35-36).
Jesus steps down from the place He has been standing and walks out of the Temple. As He is leaving, He calls out; “Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. And whoever sees me sees him who sent me. I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak. And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me” (John 12:44-50).
Even as Jesus leaves the Temple, there are many who do believe the words that He said; even some of the leaders. But they remain quiet, for fear of the Pharisees. ANYONE who supports Jesus openly is put out of the Temple by the Pharisees. No one wants to risk that.
He makes His way out of the city and finds a spot to rest. All the while, He is hearing the words of the prophets in His heart. They remind Him that this is the way it is to be.
From the prophet Isaiah; “Lord, who has believed what he heard from us, and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” (John 12:38)
Another prophecy from Isaiah springs to Jesus’ mind. “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, lest they see with their eyes, and understand with their heart, and turn, and I would heal them” (John 12:40).
These Jesus ponders as He leaves the Temple for the last time.
Peter and John take the Passover lamb to the Temple at three o’clock. There are few people there offering their lambs today. This is the time and day that God instituted in His commandments, but the centuries have shifted the time for most of the people. They will present their lambs at the close of the 14th of Nissan, making their Passover meal at the beginning of the 15th day of Nissan.
As Peter slits the throat of the Passover lamb, the priest collects the blood. John skins the lamb and offers the fat, the entrails, and the liver to the priest to present to the Lord. After this is completed, Peter and John carry the lamb back to the home where Jesus will eat the Passover. Nathan has provided them with a spit to roast the lamb over.
By the time the lamb is cooked, the women have the tables laid with unleavened bread and the required herbs and spices. Included on the table are also special sauces for dipping the bread and wine.
Peter and John are carrying the lamb up the outer stairs when Jesus and the rest of the disciples arrive.
“Just in time” calls out John.
Jesus waves to the two men and everyone follows them into the prepared room. Peter and John lay the lamb out on the side table and begin slicing it for their meal. The rest of the disciples look over the room and marvel at the scene.
“You did all this” asks Nathaniel.
“Actually” Mary, Jesus’ mother, says; “The room was ready and waiting. All we had to do was prepare the meal.”
“How…” Matthew started to say. He stops and shakes his head. “Because He is Jesus, of course.”
Jesus smiles and motions everyone to take a seat at the table.
Everyone finds a place and settles in. Meals are never dull with this group. They begin talking and sharing their experiences of the day. Peter and John are anxious to hear how things went in the Temple today.
As the discussion goes on, Jesus rises from His place at the table. He steps over to a small table off to the side. On this table is a basin, a pitcher of water, and a towel. Jesus takes off His outer robe and lays it across the side of the table. He then takes the towel and wraps it around His inner garment and ties it at His waist. Then, He lifts the pitcher and basin and walks to the end of the table. The disciples are busy talking and aren’t even watching what Jesus is doing.
Jesus kneels at Thomas’ feet. He lifts them and places them in the basin. He pours water over them and begins to wash them. Once they are clean, He dries them with the towel around His waist.
The moment Jesus kneels by Thomas, a hush falls over the room. They all watch silently as Jesus moves from one man to the next, washing and drying their feet. Peter is midway down the table. When Jesus reaches him, Peter protests.
“Lord, do you wash my feet?” (John 13:6).
Kneeling before him, Jesus says; “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand” (John 13:7).
Peter’s heart shouts of his unworthiness. “You shall never wash my feet” (John 13:8a).
Jesus looks him in the eye and says; “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me” (John 13:8b).
Peter’s eyes go wide. He cannot lose his Lord! “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” (John 13:9).
Jesus smiles at him and says; “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean,…” Jesus looks around the room. “… but not every one of you” (John 13:10).
Jesus knows what is already in Judas’ heart and what he has already done. He is the one Jesus is referring to when He says that not ‘all’ of them are clean. No one else says a word as Jesus completes washing all of the disciples’ feet; even the one He KNOW will betray Him.
Once Jesus has finished with the last disciple, He returns the basin, jar, and towel to its place. He picks up His robe and puts it back on before returning to His seat at the table. He is sitting between John and Judas.
All eyes are still on Jesus as He begins speaking.
“Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them…” Sadness enters Jesus voice as He continues. “… I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, ‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’ I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he. Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me” (John 13:12-20).
The atmosphere in the room turns festive again. Jesus and His disciples enjoy their meal; for a time.
Jesus closes His eyes breathes a heavy sigh. His heart is heavy. He KNOW that it is time. Time for the one who has already made the decision, to go out and betray Him.
“Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me” (John 13:21).
Everyone is shocked into silence again. Their hearts are torn, that Jesus would think any of them capable of doing such a thing. But, He is Jesus. He knows things that no one else does. They all begin to wonder if it is them whom Jesus is speaking of. One at a time, they quietly ask Jesus; “Is it I, Lord” (Matthew 26:22).
Jesus doesn’t respond to each of them, but changes the direction of the feast.
“I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God” (Luke 22:15-16).
Jesus picks up His cup of wine and gives thanks to God for it. “Abba, Father. Bless those who partake of this cup with Me. Make them one, even as We are one.”
Jesus hands the cup to John. “Take this, and divide it among yourselves. For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes” (Luke 22:17-18).
As the cup moves across the table and each man takes a portion, Jesus picks up a fresh loaf of matza. He begins breaking it into pieces. As He breaks it, He blesses it also. “Abba, Father. Bless this bread also, as You have blessed the wine. Bring those who partake of it into unity. The unity that We share. Guard their hearts against division and the attacks of the enemy.”
Jesus hands the plate containing the pieces He has just torn to John. “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:19).
After each of His disciples had eaten of the bread and drank from the cup, Jesus says; “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. But behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table. 22 For the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!” (Luke 22:20-22).
Peter, nudges John. “You are right beside Him. Ask Him who it is.”
John leans over to Jesus and asks; “Lord, who is it?” (John 13:25).
Jesus looks down and begins tearing apart a piece of bread. “It is he to whom I will give this morsel of bread when I have dipped it” (John 13:26).
Jesus hands the piece He has just dipped to Judas Iscariot. Judas takes the bread and pops it in his mouth. At that moment, his resolve to betray Jesus becomes unbreakable as Satan enters him.
Jesus quietly says to him; “What you are going to do, do quickly” (John 13:27).
Judas gets up from the table and makes his way out of the room. Even with this obvious act, the disciples don’t realize what, or where, Judas is going. They figure that Jesus has just given him a task to do. As the keeper of the purse, Jesus may have sent him to buy something, or to go and make a gift to the poor.
Now that Judas is gone, Jesus sees victory in sight. He begins speaking of the future; His and His kingdom’s.
“Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once. Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going you cannot come.’ A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:31-35).
The disciples are disturbed by Jesus saying that they can’t go with Him. “Why not” they all want to cry out. Jesus has more to add, so they wait.
Jesus knows their anxiety is climbing with all His talk about death and betrayal. But they HAVE to be prepared before the time arrives. Otherwise they would be crushed under the weight of all that is to come.
“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going” (John 14:1-4).
Thomas looks at Jesus with confusion. “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” (John 14:5).
Jesus voice rings with authority throughout the room. “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him” (John 14:6-7).
Thomas falls silent, but Philip speaks out.
“Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us” (John 14:8).
Jesus looks at Philip with pain in His eyes. “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves” (John 14:9-11).
Jesus spreads His hand before His disciples. “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it” (John 14:12-14).
Jesus has made it through the most difficult part of the future. Now it is time to introduce the promise. The One who will come after Him. The Comforter.
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.
“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him” (John 14:15-21).
Jesus’ other disciple named Judas speaks up with a question. “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?” (John 14:22).
Jesus is pleased with Judas’ question. It means that he is paying attention to what He has to say. But it also means that Judas is not looking beyond the physical. Jesus is speaking of spiritual matters.
“If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father’s who sent me.
“These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you may believe. I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me, but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father” (John 14:23-31).
Jesus is talked out for now. It’s time to close the dinner with a traditional Passover song. One of the songs of David. Psalm 118:
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!
Let Israel say, “His steadfast love endures forever.”
Let the house of Aaron say, “His steadfast love endures forever.”
Let those who fear the Lord say, “His steadfast love endures forever.”
Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free.
The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?
The Lord is on my side as my helper; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.
It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.
It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes.
All nations surrounded me; in the name of the Lord I cut them off!
They surrounded me, surrounded me on every side; in the name of the Lord I cut them off!
They surrounded me like bees; they went out like a fire among thorns; in the name of the Lord I cut them off!
I was pushed hard, so that I was falling, but the Lord helped me.
The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.
Glad songs of salvation are in the tents of the righteous:
“The right hand of the Lord does valiantly, the right hand of the Lord exalts, the right hand of the Lord does valiantly!”
I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the Lord.
The Lord has disciplined me severely, but he has not given me over to death.
Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord.
This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous shall enter through it.
I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation.
The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.
This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.
This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Save us, we pray, O Lord! O Lord, we pray, give us success!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! We bless you from the house of the Lord.
The Lord is God, and he has made his light to shine upon us.
Bind the festal sacrifice with cords, up to the horns of the altar!
You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God; I will extol you.
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever! (Psalm 118:1-29).
“Let’s go for a walk” Jesus says as He rises from the table.
Everyone knows where Jesus is going. It has become His custom to walk in Lazarus’ olive grove each evening. Jesus’ favorite spot is near the olive press; a garden called Gethsemane. Judas knows this as well.
As the group makes their way toward Jesus’ favorite spot, a familiar debate breaks out again; who is the greatest. This is at least the third time Jesus has addressed this same issue. He had hoped that they would have understood by now. Apparently not.
Jesus stops in His tracks, turns back to His disciples, and tries again. “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves.
“You are those who have stayed with me in my trials, and I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom, that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel” (Luke 22:25-30).
The disciples’ faces flush with shame at their behavior. They, too, know that He has addressed this issue before. But their hearts also are lifted by Jesus’ words of them all sitting on thrones and judging the tribes of Israel.
Jesus isn’t finished. There is SO much more that they need to know. He knows that this is going to hurt, but it has to be said.
“You will all fall away, for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’ 28 But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee” (Mark 14:27-28).
Peter looks straight at Jesus and says; “Even though they all fall away, I will not” (Mark 14:29).
Jesus shakes His head. “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers” (Luke 22:31-32).
Peter is adamant in his denial! “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death” (Luke 22:33).
Jesus looks Peter straight in the eye. “I tell you, Peter, the [cock] will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me” (Luke 22:34).
Jesus turns away before Peter can protest again.
Peter is heartbroken that Jesus would think him capable of such a thing. “NEVER Lord” he vows to himself.
Farther along the walk, Jesus prepares His disciples for their future.
“When I sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?” (Luke 22:35a).
“Nothing” (Luke 22:35b) they all say together.
Jesus nods, then says; “But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one. 37 For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors.’ For what is written about me has its fulfillment” (Luke 22:36-37).
“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. Whoever hates me hates my Father also. If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin, but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: ‘They hated me without a cause’” (John 15:18-25).
Peter points to two swords that are being carried. He has one and Simon has the other. “Look, Lord, here are two swords” (Luke 22:38a).
Jesus nods and says; “It is enough” (Luke 22:38b).
“I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away. They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. And they will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor me. But I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told them to you” (John 16:1-4).
When the group finally reaches the entrance to Jesus’ favorite garden, He stops. Turning to them, His eyes filled with sorrow, He begins to pray for them.
“Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.
“I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you. For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.
“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that y”ou have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them” (John 17:1-26).
After Jesus concludes His prayer for His disciples, and those to come in the future, He needs time with the Father on His own.
“Peter, James, and John, come with Me. The rest of you, sit here and pray. Pray that you don’t enter into temptation.”
Jesus walks farther into the garden with His three disciples. When He is out of sight of the others, He turns to the three with Him. Anguish is written all over His face. His head hangs heavy as He speaks to them. “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch” (Mark 13:34).
The three settle themselves on stones. “We will wait here as long as it takes. Teacher.”
Jesus goes a little farther into the garden and falls on His face on the ground. He KNOWS what is coming. He KNOWS the agony that awaits Him. He begins to pour out His heart to His Abba.
“Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will” (Mark 13:36). Jesus not only prays this but He groans it from every pour in His body. His body wants nothing more than for God to choose another path for redemption. One that does not involve Him and the cross.
After a time, He gets up from the ground and walks back to where He left Peter, James, and John. He hears snoring before He even comes within sight of them. His heart breaks. He wakes Peter, knowing what he will face soon.
“Simon, are you asleep? Could you not watch one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Mark 13:37-38).
Peter jumps at the sound of Jesus’ voice. His face burns with shame at Jesus’ words. “Master, I’m sorry. I tired, but my eyes…” He trails off as his excuse dies at the sight of Jesus’ tormented face. He reaches over and wakes the brothers. “We need to stay awake and pray” he tells them.
All three nod and promise to do better. Jesus turns away and walks back to the place He was praying.
“We HAVE to stay awake” John demands of them.
“And we have to pray with all our hearts. Did you see Jesus’ face” asks Peter.
The brothers nod. All three begin praying fervently, but the heavy meal they just finished weighs on them and they succumb to sleep again.
Jesus is on His face again before His Abba. He prays the same words, but the heart behind them is different. “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” This time, His spirit feels as if it is being shredded by the thought of His coming separation from God. Physical pain is one thing, but THIS pain is nearly undoing Him. He is so stressed over this time to come that His capillaries burst and blood seeps through His pours like sweat.
After a time, He rises from the ground and goes back to His three disciples. They are asleep again. This time, He doesn’t bother waking them up. He turns around and goes back to His place.
Jesus falls onto His knees. His heart is made up. He prays the same words; “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” This time He settles on “Yet not what I will, but what You will.”
Jesus sits with His decision. As He sits quietly, resolved to do the Father’s will, angels appear around Him. They minister to Him; physically, emotionally, and spiritually. They offer Him their strength and impart the Father’s love in person.
Having struggled through this final battle, Jesus rises again. He returns to the place where He left Peter, James, and John. And, of course, they are still asleep. Jesus takes a steadying sigh and then wakes them.
“Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? It is enough; the hour has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand” (Mark 14:41-42).
All three disciples jerk awake at the sound of Jesus’ voice. It is not tinged with sorrow any longer. It is firm and commanding. The disciples quickly scramble to their feet when they hear a commotion in the distance. It is getting closer. Angry voices and torches are approaching.
(to be continued)
I’m going to stop here. There is SO MUCH in John’s account that I wanted to include, but I had to leave some out. This story is already quite long.
I wonder why the other gospels didn’t include more in their account. Probably because of the target audience. John’s gospel digs deep into exactly Who Jesus is. And, as such, we see more of Jesus’ heart poured out.
I wrote two poems about Jesus’ time in the Garden of Gethsemane. I’m going to link them here, in case you would like to ‘feel’ the pull Jesus felt with me. Night of Prayer, and Heaven’s Tears.
Father God, I wish with all MY heart that there had been some other way. I would even have been content with waiting a bit longer for the alternate solution. But, if not for Jesus’ work, would I even know You today? Would I seek out time with You in Your word?
I pray I would still seek You. For even creation shouts of Your love.
THANK YOU, Jesus for being willing to endure the pain, the shame, and the separation on my behalf. I don’t have the words to express how much Your sacrifice means to me. Not just the acts of that single day but Your presence in my heart every day! I would be lost without You!
Keep me always coming back!
