Photo: Canva
This happened first. I wasn’t able to copy it because it was too long. It is only in the apostle John’s version (John 13).This passage talks about Jesus washing the feet of the disciples just as they had their last private meal together before His death. Of course, the disciples knew nothing about Jesus” death coming soon, but Jesus did. John is the only one who records this event in his gospel. It must have made a big impression on him.
Next came this part of the evening.
And when the hour came, he reclined at table, and the apostles with him.
And he said to them, “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.”
And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said,
“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.”
And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying,
“This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “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.
For the Son of Man goes as it has been determined,
but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!”
And they began to question one another, which of them it could be who was going to do this.
A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest.
And he said to them, “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.
“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.”
Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.”
Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day,
until you deny three times that you know me.”Luke 22:24-34 ESV
How interesting that shortly after Jesus washed their feet and talked to them about serving one another, the disciples were arguing over who would be greatest in the kingdom.
It is easy to see ourselves in them isn’t it? That can be comforting in some ways because GOD was able to use them in amazing ways in their day, but they were not amazing to start with at all! In fact, they had been with Jesus for three years and were still not amazing!
Now, for the rest of that evening.
And they went to a place called Gethsemane. And he said to his disciples,
“Sit here while I pray.”
And he took with him Peter and James and John,
and began to be greatly distressed and troubled.
And he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch.”
And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that,
if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.
And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me.
Yet not what I will, but what you will.”
And he came and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, “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.”
And again he went away and prayed, saying the same words.
And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy,
and they did not know what to answer him.
And he came the third time and said to 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.”
And immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve,
and with him a crowd with swords and clubs,
from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.
Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man.
Seize him and lead him away under guard.”
And when he came, he went up to him at once and said, “Rabbi!” And he kissed him.
And they laid hands on him and seized him.
But one of those who stood by drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear.
And Jesus said to them, “Have you come out as against a robber,
with swords and clubs to capture me?
Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me.
But let the Scriptures be fulfilled.”
And they all left him and fled.Mark 14:32-50 ESV
and the final chapter of this horrible night is written here by Matthew, but is found in the other passages as well.
Then those who had seized Jesus led him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had gathered. And Peter was following him at a distance,
as far as the courtyard of the high priest, and going inside he sat with the guards to see the end. Now the chief priests and the whole council were seeking false testimony against Jesus that they might put him to death, but they found none,
though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward and said,
“This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to rebuild it in three days.’” And the high priest stood up and said, “Have you no answer to make?
What is it that these men testify against you?” But Jesus remained silent.
And the high priest said to him, “I adjure you by the living God,
tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.”
Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the
Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has uttered blasphemy.
What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy.
What is your judgment?”
They answered, “He deserves death.”
Then they spit in his face and struck him.
And some slapped him, saying, “Prophesy to us, you Christ! Who is it that struck you?”
Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard.
And a servant girl came up to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.”
But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you mean.”
And when he went out to the entrance, another servant girl saw him,
and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.”
And again he denied it with an oath: “I do not know the man.”
After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter,
“Certainly you too are one of them, for your accent betrays you.”
Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know the man.”
And immediately the rooster crowed.
And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus,
“Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.”
And he went out and wept bitterly.Matthew 26:57-75 ESV
I am sharing this segment of the Holy Week events with you instead of the more commonly known ones. It gave me plenty to think about and meditate on in light of Christ’s later death and resurrection. In light of his payment for all my sin and the power of sin over me now as a Christian.
