Good morning,
Passover is 15 April and Resurrection Sunday is 17 April, 2022.
This week we will look at the events that happened prior to the cross. The preparation for the Passover, preliminary meal before Passover, the institution of the Lord’s supper, the garden of Gethsemane, the betrayal and arrest of Jesus, and His trials before Annas, Caiaphas, the Sanhedrin, Pilate, Herod Antipas, concluding with Pilate.
Next week we will look at the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.
The betrayal and arrest of Jesus (Matthew 26:46-56)
“Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.47 And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people.48 Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.49 And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him.50 And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus and took him.51 And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest’s, and smote off his ear.52 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?54 But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?55 In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me.56 But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.”
The disciples are a fine lot. Three fell asleep in prayer. One betrays Him openly. One cuts off the ear of the servant to the high priest. The rest forsake Him and flee. The reason why, so the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.
How do we forsake Jesus? Do we faithfully read His word, witness about Him, pray, worship? Unfortunately, we are no better than the disciples. However, when the Holy Spirit, who lives inside us, convicts us, we have the opportunity to get back into a right relationship with Jesus.
Will we?
Trial before Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin (Matthew 26:57-68)
“And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.58 But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest’s palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end.59 Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death;60 But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses,61 And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.62 And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?63 But Jesus held his peace, And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.64 Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.65 Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy.66 What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death.67 Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands,68 Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee?”
The religious leaders tried to get false witnesses to accuse Jesus. They could not. But when Jesus was asked directly are you the Son of God, He told the chief priest, He was. In their eyes Jesus was guilty of blasphemy and worthy of death. Unfortunately for them, they could not carry out the execution of Jesus. They needed help from Rome.
Jesus was going to the cross because He was God’s Son, sent to redeem mankind through His precious holy blood. We were and are guilty of not following Jesus. We have a better way than Jesus gave us through the Bible.
If you do not know Jesus as Savior and Lord, repent now. Confess your sin and ask Jesus to take residence in your life. Allow Him to have complete control of all areas of your being.
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com
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