March in Luke and John

If you are reading according to the yearly schedule, you can start the Friday before Palm Sunday in John 12 and follow the schedule differently from below. Then get back on schedule after that. See below for the Palm Sunday dates in the future.

1. Luke 16
2. Luke 17
3. Luke 18
4. Luke 19
5. Luke 20
6. Luke 21
7. Luke 22
8. Luke 23
9. Luke 24
10. John 1
11. John 2
12. John 3
13. John 4
14. John 5
15. John 6
16. John 7
17. John 8
18. John 9
19. John 10
20. John 11
21. John 12:1-11 (or the Friday before Palm Sunday of the year you are doing this)
22. John 12:12-19 (or Palm Sunday)
23. John 12:20-50 (or Monday of Holy Week) 
24. John 13-14 & 15:1-18:24 (or Tuesday-Thursday of Holy Week) 
25. John 18:25-19:42 (or Good Friday of Holy Week)
26. TOMB REST DAY
27. John 20:1-23 (or Easter Sunday)
28. John 20:24-21:25 (Now get back on schedule - you have some cushion days)
29. OFF
30. OFF
31. OFF

• Palm Sunday in future years:
• 2024: March 24

• 2025: April 13

• 2026: March 29

• 2027: March 21

• 2028: April 9

• 2029: March 25

• 2030: April 14

• 2031: April 6

• 2032: March 21

• 2033: April 10

• 2034: April 2

• 2035: March 18

February in Mark and Luke

1. Mark 4
2. Mark 5
3. Mark 6
4. Mark 7
5. Mark 8
6. Mark 9
7. Mark 10
8. Mark 11
9. Mark 12
10. Mark 13
11. Mark 14
12.  Mark 15
13. Mark 16
14. Luke 1
15. Luke 2
16. Luke 3
17. Luke 4
18. Luke 5
19. Luke 6
20. Luke 7
21. Luke 8
22. Luke 9
23. Luke 10
24. Luke 11
25. Luke 12
26. Luke 13
27. Luke 14
28. Luke 15
29. LUKE LEAP DAY!

Put Luke Back on the New Testament Shelf

Luke 24 - Resurrection to Ascension

LINK: Luke 24

BACKGROUND

Sunday at Sunrise

239. Jesus rises from the dead: Matthew 28:1-7, Mark 16:1-8, Luke 24:1-12, John 20:1-10

Try a recorded Imaginative Contemplation of the Resurrection.

He is RISEN! This proves the Kingship of Jesus Christ! He fulfilled His claim that He would lay down His life and take it up again (John 10:17-18).

The order of events can sometimes be confusing when looking at all four accounts. I will try to explain it all in order. 

Before sunrise, an earthquake happened and an angel rolled away the stone and frightened the guards of the tomb (Matthew 28:2-4).

At early dawn, the women who followed Jesus brought spices to anoint His body. The women mentioned were Mary Magdalene (Luke 8:2, Mark 16:9), the "other" Mary who was the mother of James and Joses and wife of Clopas (Mark 15:40; John 19:25), Salome (Mark 16:1), and Joanna (Luke 24:10). We do not know who the "other women" included (Luke 24:9). Since women bring people into the world, it was only appropriate that at least two mothers would be the first to discover the empty tomb! 

Mary left to go and tell Peter and John (John 20:1-2). While she was gone, the other women saw two angels who told them Jesus had RISEN (Matthew 28:5-7; Mark 16:5-7; Luke 24:4-8). The Matthew and Mark accounts focus on only one angel.

Mary came back with Peter and John to tell them that Jesus was not in the tomb, but she did not know that He had risen (John 20:2).  Isn't it funny that John, the author, would say that he beat Peter in a foot race back to the tomb (John 20:4)? They saw the linen wrappings but still did not understand that Jesus had risen (John 20:9).  So, they went back to their homes. 

Many commentators believe that Mark ended his gospel here and an anonymous writer added Mark 16:9-20. They believe this was done shortly after A.D. 100.

240. Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene: Mark 16:9-11; John 20:11-18

241. Jesus appears to the women: Matthew 28:8-10

242. Religious leaders bribe the guards: Matthew 28:11-15

Later in the Day

243. Jesus appears to two believers traveling on the road: Mark 16:12-13, Luke 24:13-34

Storytelling: audio and transcript

This is Jesus' fourth appearance. Emmaus was a small village seven miles northwest of Jerusalem. Since these verses say two of "them," it indicates that they were part of the disciples who did not believe Mary's report (Mark 16:10-11). They did not recognize Him because He was in a "form of a different kind" (Mark 16:12).  He told them all that was in Moses and the Prophets. That is what I do when I share Jesus with others. I start in the first book of Moses, Genesis (Genesis 3:15 is the first prophecy about Jesus), and help them to see the undeniable Scarlet Thread of Redemption from Genesis to Revelation. Join me!

It was not until after He had broken bread with them

that their eyes were opened enough to recognize Him. Then they recalled how His words had burned in their hearts. They hurried back to Jerusalem to tell the disciples.

One commentator believes the two disciples were Cleopas and his wife because usually when there was no name mentioned, it was probably a woman, but they mentioned all the other women in the resurrection events. So why would they not mention her?

Evening

244. Jesus appears to His disciples: Luke 24:35-43, John 20:19-23

While Cleopas and his friend (or wife) were excitedly telling the disciples about their experience, Jesus appeared in the shut room (John 20:19). They were afraid even though some of them had already seen Jesus. He greeted them in peace and calmed their fears by showing them His hands and feet and eating. He really was bodily there and not just a ghost. This was just too good to be true (Luke 24:41). Jesus really was alive! 

And with that, He commissioned them to go out and tell the world that He was alive! He said, "Receive the Holy Spirit." This is reminiscent of how God breathed life into Adam (Genesis 2:7). They had been given "breath" for their spiritual life. The full baptism of the Spirit would come at Pentecost (Acts 2)!

John 20:23 is confusing. It does not mean that the disciples were the only ones who had the authority to forgive sins, but they "proclaimed forgiveness on the basis of the message of the Gospel" (The New Testament: An Expanded Translation). As they went out, they announced the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ that if a sinner repented and believed in Jesus Christ, their sins would be forgiven! If they believed, the messenger could proclaim, with authority, that their sins were forgiven by God. 

Here are more events not recorded in Luke but important for understanding the chronology of events:

Eight days later

245. Jesus appears to Thomas: Mark 16:14, John 20:24-31

Two weeks later

246. Jesus appears to seven disciples: John 21:1-14 

247. Jesus challenges Peter: John 21:15-25

Three weeks later

248. Jesus gives the great commission: Matthew 28:16-20, Mark 16:15-18

249. Jesus appears to the disciples in Jerusalem: Luke 24:44-49

He appeared to His disciples over a period of 40 days and did much of what He did with the two disciples on the road to Emmaus where He talked about The Scarlet Thread of Redemption starting in Genesis 3:15 and throughout all the prophecies about Him in the Old Testament. This time it says He talked about the prophecies in the Psalms too.

He commissioned them to preach repentance and forgiveness of sins to all the peoples (see Event #248 to see what that means). Luke goes on to tell us how the disciples did that in the book of Acts! Stay tuned! It is all so very exciting.

He also told them to wait until they received the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8) which will be described in Acts 2. 

Forty days later (Ascension Day)

Gebhard Fugel [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

250. Jesus ascends into heaven: Mark 16:19-20, Luke 24:50-53, Acts 1:9-12

The gospel accounts overlap with the beginning of Acts. Jesus has given His commission. Now it was time to leave the earth and go back to the right hand of God, the Father (Mark 16:19; Acts 7:56). After Jesus left, the Acts account records two angels in human form (Luke 24:4) telling them of Jesus' return on the Mount of Olives (Revelation 1:7; Zechariah 14:4). 

This caused them to go back to Jerusalem and the temple with GREAT JOY, praising God!  Then they preached/proclaimed the gospel everywhere with signs authenticating the message of salvation through Jesus (Mark 16:20)!

Fifty days later

251. Pentecost: Acts 2

Read about it in Acts 2 of the Bible Book Club, and join me for the rest of the New Testament!  

REFLECTION/APPLICATION 

I love the fuller Luke account of the people on the road to Emmaus. Jesus explained to them all that God had said to them from Moses and the prophets (Luke 24:35-43). In a later appearance in Luke, He also mentions the Psalms (Luke 24:44). Also read about the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8:30-31. All three incidences point to the importance of the Old Testament. 

I firmly believe that we cannot truly appreciate the fullness of the Gospel until we understand the Old Testament. Everything falls together, and it strengthens your faith!

If you have not joined me in YEAR ONE and YEAR TWO of the Old Testament in the Bible Book Club, I hope you can soon!   

Here is my story: How the Bible Book Club Came to Be

I just want to encourage you to open Genesis and start reading, no matter how long it takes you. Take your time and linger long and learn about The Scarlet Thread of Redemption from Genesis to Revelation. Then ask God how You can apply it. I am passionate about YOU being transformed through the pages of Scripture as you read with the Holy Spirit (John 16:13-15). 

PRAYER

Thank You for making Your purpose so clear through Your Word. We love You and ask that You transform us to be more like You as we dig into Your word. Amen. 

Luke 23 - Trials and Crucifixion

LINK: Luke 23

BACKGROUND

From: The Bible Knowledge Commentary New Testament, p. 84

Civil (Roman) Trials

After Dawn

230. Jesus' trial before Pilate: Matthew 27:11-14, Mark 15:2-5, Luke 23:1-5, John 18:28-37

Trial Four (First Roman)

John's account is the most detailed of the four gospel accounts.

Even though the religious leaders had passed judgment on Jesus, only the Romans could exercise capital punishment. So, the case was brought to Pontius Pilate, the Roman procurator (governor) of Judea and Samaria from A.D. 26-36 (Luke 3:1), who was in Jerusalem because of the Passover feast. During the great feasts, rioting, and insurrection were more common, especially during Passover when the Jews remembered their deliverance from bondage to the Egyptians. 

Pilate and the Jews obviously had a hostile relationship. Pilate refused to do anything with just a charge of blasphemy. The Jews could not execute Him by stoning because a prophecy had already said that no bones would be broken (Psalm 34:20). Also, He had foretold that He would be "lifted up" like a "snake in the desert" (John 3:14; Exodus 21:9). Jesus had to die by crucifixion and only the Romans could do that. 

The religious leaders brought Jesus to Pilate with three accusations, but Pilate only concerned himself with the third: Jesus' claim to be king. This was the only one that would be any threat to Rome, but after questioning, Jesus assured Pilate that He was a king, but of a kingdom not of this world (John 18:33-37). Pilate declared Jesus guiltless (Luke 23:4); when he found out He was a Galilean, Pilate sent Jesus to Herod to be tried. 

There is a second Roman trial before Herod Antipas, but it is only recorded in Luke 23:6-12. 

232. Pilate hands Jesus over to be crucified: Matthew 27:15-26, Mark 15:6-15, Luke 23:13-25, John 18:38-19:16

Trial Six (Third Roman)

Pilate wanted to punish and release this innocent man (Mark 23:16), but the crowd was stirred up by the religious leaders, and he was pressured to release Barabbas, an insurrectionist (John 18:40) and murderer (Mark 15:7) instead. 

John is the only writer that covers the flogging (leather whip with bits of metal at the ends which often killed people), the crown of thorns, purple robe, ridicule as King of the Jews, and beating. 

Pilate wanted to release Him but the Jews convinced him that if Jesus claimed to be king he was opposing Caesar. Their cry was for crucifixion, and Pilate took water and washed his hands symbolizing that he wanted to absolve himself of putting an innocent man to death (Deuteronomy 21:6-9). Then he released the murderer and handed the innocent Jesus over to be crucified. 

The events leading up to the crucifixion are more detailed in the Matthew, Mark, and Luke accounts, but the actual crucifixion is more detailed in John's gospel account. 

233. Roman soldiers mock Jesus: Matthew 27:27-31; Mark 15:16-20; Luke 23:36

A whole Roman cohort of 600 soldiers was gathered for this event. The Praetorium would have been large enough to fit them. It may have been in Pilate's residence at the Castle of Antonio or Herod's palace. 

Roman soldiers were known for their cruelty. So, Jesus was probably beaten badly. This fulfilled Isaiah 52:14 which says that His appearance was marred more than any man. He bore this suffering without a word (1 Peter 2:23).

234. Jesus is led away to be crucified: Matthew 27:32-34; Mark 15:21-24; Luke 23:26-31; John 19:17

Jesus is on His way to Golgotha. Just as Isaac carried his own wood for the sacrifice in Genesis 22:1-6 and the sin offering was taken outside the camp or city (Hebrews 13:11-13), the John account says that He carried His own cross. The other accounts state that Simon of Cyrene carried the cross part way. Here is an interesting perspective on why that happened: 

It was a part of the prisoner’s humiliation that he carry his own cross to the place of execution, so when Jesus left Pilate’s hall, He was carrying either the cross or the crossbeam (John 19:17). 

Apparently, He was unable to go on, for the soldiers had to “draft” Simon of Cyrene to carry the cross for Him. (This was a legal Roman procedure. See Matt. 5:41.) When you consider all that Jesus had endured since His arrest in the Garden, it is not difficult to imagine Him falling under the load. But there is something more involved: carrying the cross was a sign of guilt, and our Lord was not guilty! Thousands of Jews came to Jerusalem from other nations to celebrate the feasts (Acts 2:5–11), and Simon was among them. He had traveled over 800 miles from Africa to celebrate Passover, and now he was being humiliated on a most holy day! What would he say to his family when he got home? 

What looked to Simon like a catastrophe turned out to be a wonderful opportunity, for it brought him in contact with Jesus Christ. (By the way, where was the other Simon—Simon Peter—who had promised Jesus to go with Him to prison and to death?) Simon may have come into the city to attend the 9 a.m. prayer meeting in the temple, but the soldiers rearranged his schedule for him. 

We have good reason to believe that Simon was converted because of this encounter with Jesus. Mark identified him as “the father of Alexander and Rufus” (Mark 15:21), two men that Mark assumed his Roman readers would know. A Christian named Rufus was greeted by Paul in Romans 16:13, and it is possible that he was the son of Simon of Cyrene. Apparently Simon and his two sons became well-known Christians who were held in honor in the church. 

Before Simon met Jesus, he had religion and devotion; but after he met Jesus, he had reality and salvation. He did both a physical and spiritual “about face” that morning, and it transformed his life. God can still use unexpected and difficult situations, even humiliating situations, to bring people to the Saviour.  (The Bible Exposition Commentary, Lk 23:26)

On the way to Golgotha, the Luke account records His warning to the people of the persecution that was to come (Hosea 10:8; Revelation 6:15-17). 

The Third Hour (between 9 am and noon)

235. Jesus is placed on the cross: Matthew 27:35-44; Mark 15:25-32; Luke 23:32-43; John 19:18-27

Crucifixion was widely practiced by the Phoenicians and Persians but Roman law permitted its use only on slaves and non-Romans. In Israel this shameful and excruciating punishment was inflicted for crimes of robbery and sedition and served as a public reminder of the Jews' servitude to Rome.  (The Daily Walk, October 9, 2008, p. 14)

Mark 15:25 says Jesus was placed on the cross at the third hour which starts at 9 a.m. (Mark 15:25). While John 19:14 says He was handed over by Pilate "about noon." Josh McDowell offers two possible explanations:

The night was divided into four watches, each consisting of three hours (see Mark 13:35), and the day was to some extent likewise divided into periods. In light of this, we can imagine that Mark’s statement about the “third hour” simply meant that Jesus was crucified sometime during the third hour (between nine o’clock and noon), while John’s statement that the trial ended about noon can mean before noon.  

Another possibility is that John is using a different method of reckoning time than Mark. We know for a fact, from Plutarch, Pliny, Aulus Gellius, and Macrobius, that the Romans calculated the civil day from midnight to midnight, just as we do today. 

Thus John’s “sixth hour” would be six o’clock in the morning. This would make 6 a.m. the time of the last of the trials of Jesus, and of His sentencing, giving adequate time for the events leading up to the crucifixion which, in Mark, was at 9 a.m. or afterward. 

There is good evidence that John used this method of computing time. This is not unusual in Scripture to have different authors use different methods of measuring time and determining dates.  (From http://www.josh.org/resources/)

He had two criminals on each side (Luke 23:33). He said seven things as He was crucified, and I will summarize them at the end, but His first prayer was that the Father would forgive them for what they were doing (Luke 23:34).

The dividing of His garments fulfilled Psalm 22:18 (John 19:24). Pilate continued the game with the Jews by writing that Jesus was "KING OF THE JEWS" so that all languages could read it (John 19:19-22). As He hung there, He was mocked by people passing by, the religious leaders, soldiers, and even the robbers being crucified with Him (Matthew 27:39-44, Mark 15:29-32, Luke 23:35-39). The Luke account adds that one of the robbers defended Jesus and asked to be remembered in paradise, and Jesus told him this would happen (Luke 23:39-43). Notice that the Luke account was the only one that recorded Jesus asking the Father to forgive them. The Bible Knowledge Commentary says, "Luke's purpose . . . was to show that Jesus was the forgiving Messiah even as He died" (Comments on Luke 23:32-43).

John's gospel is the only account that reports Jesus' conversation regarding His mother's future care (John 19:26-27).  

12-3 pm

236. Jesus dies on the cross: Matthew 27:45-56; Mark 15:33-41; Luke 23:44-49; John 19:28-37

There was darkness from the "sixth to the ninth hour" or noon to 3:00 p.m. (Mark 15:33). How appropriate that Jesus would become the sin-offering for all mankind (John 1:29; Romans 5:8; 2 Cor. 5:21; 1 Peter 2:24; 3:18) during this time of darkness. Just as there were three days of darkness before the Passover in Egypt (Exodus 10:21-23), this Lamb of God died for our sins so that the righteous wrath of God would "pass over" those who put their faith in Jesus (Romans 3:25-26).

He was forsaken by the Father (Psalm 22:1; Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34) because He took on the world's sin. The Holy Father could not look upon His Son who had become sin and been made a curse for us (Galatians 3:13). 

When Jesus cried, they thought Jesus was calling for Elijah because the Greek word for "Elijah" sounds like "Eloi" (Mark 15:34-35).  

At the end of that time, Jesus cried out to the Father that it was finished (Psalm 31:5), and He gave up His spirit. Papyri tax receipts during that time had this Greek word for finished written across them, and it meant "paid in full."  He had paid the debt for our sin in full (2 Corinthians 5:21)!

Matthew, Mark, and Luke record the curtain of the temple being torn in two. This curtain was between the Holy place and the Holy of Holies in the temple (Hebrews 9:2-3). This curtain was 15 by 15 feet with a linen curtain during the time of the Tabernacle but was 20 feet wide by 60 feet long and 4 inches thick in Herod's temple during Jesus' time. Needless to say, it was a very thick curtain and ripped from top to bottom signifying God did it rather than men (who would rip it from the bottom if they even could). If you have been studying in the Bible Book Club, you know that only the high priest could go into the Holy of Holies once a year (Leviticus 16:1-35). This event signified that everyone had access into God's presence all the time (Hebrews 10:14-26) without the aid of temples, priests, altars, or blood sacrifices! It truly was finished! Our debt was "paid in full"! WOOHOO!

Matthew records that there was an earthquake (Matthew 27:51). This was probably for his Jewish audience. This earthquake recorded at the cross was similar to what happened on Mount Sinai when God gave Moses the Law that included all the regulations for the Tabernacle and its sacrifices (Exodus 19:16-31:18). Hebrews 12:18-24 implies that the earthquake at the cross signified that Christ met the demands and curse of the Law and that He, as the mediator of a new covenant, abolished it forever.  WOOHOO!

The New International Version suggests that the bodies of the saints were raised immediately, but the New American Standard Bible (literally interpreting the Greek word for word) directly says they were raised after the resurrection (Matthew 27:51). 

These events (and the fact that Jesus had the energy to cry out at the end of His crucifixion) caused the Roman centurion to exclaim that Jesus was the innocent (righteous) Son of God (Matthew 27:54; Mark 15:39; Luke 23:47) and the multitudes to beat their breasts (Luke 23:48) while the women who followed Jesus looked on from a distance. These women included Mary Magdalene who had been delivered of seven demons (Luke 8:2), Mary the mother of James and Joses who also was at the tomb on Resurrection morning (Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:1), and Salome, the mother of James and John, who had asked for special thrones for her sons (Matthew 20:20-21). The only disciple recorded as being at the cross was John (John 19:25, 35). 

John's gospel was the last to be recorded, and at that time Gnosticism and Docetism were a problem. Both these ideologies denied the reality of the Incarnation (God coming in the flesh) and His death. The details about His unbroken bones (usually Romans broke bones to speed up the death), blood, and eyewitnesses probably helped with these false ideologies.  In addition, the true Passover Lamb did not have any of its bones broken (Exodus 12:46; Psalm 34:20), and the piercing of His side by the Roman soldier fulfills Zechariah 12:10. 

Here is a summary of Jesus' sayings on the cross:

1) Prayer of forgiveness (Luke 23:34)
2) Promise to the repentant criminal (Luke 23:43)
3) Provision for His mother (John 19:26-27)
4) Cry of separation from the Father (Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34)
5) Acknowledgement of thirst (John 19:28)
6) Cry of accomplishment (John 19:30)
7) Cry of resignation (Luke 23:46) (The Harmony of the Gospels, p. 242)

3 pm - Sunset

237. Jesus is laid in the tomb: Matthew 27:57-61, Mark 15:42-47, Luke 23:50-56, John 19:38-42

Luke records Joseph of Arimathea (a secret believer, Luke 23:51; John 19:38) asking for Jesus' body, but John is the only one who records the involvement of Nicodemus (John 3). This is significant because the bodies of criminals were usually discarded. The linen and spices followed the burial customs of the time.

The preparation and placing of the body in the tomb were probably done quickly since it would have to be completed before the Sabbath at sundown on Friday. It was also the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread.

Note that the women followed Him all the way to burial, but the disciples had all abandoned Him (Matthew 26:56). Let's hear it for the women! :)

REFLECTION/APPLICATION/PRAYER

Read and pray through Hebrews 9:1-14; 10:14-26; 12:18-24

I hope it leads you into praise as you contemplate what Jesus did for us on the cross!

Luke 22 - Passover, Garden, and Trials

LINK: Luke 22

BACKGROUND 

Tuesday of Holy Week

207. Religious leaders plot to kill Jesus: Matthew 26:1-5, Mark 14:1-2, Luke 22:1-2

It is two days before the Passover and unleavened bread (I place this at Tuesday, but some commentators think this is Wednesday), and the religious leaders have decided to arrest and kill Jesus, but their sly plan was to wait until the religious pilgrims from the Passover feast had gone home. 

208. Judas agrees to betray Jesus: Matthew 26:14-16, Mark 14:10-11, Luke 22:3-6

What was Judas' motive? We will never really know. It may have been money (John 12:6). Thirty silver coins were the price paid for the redemption of a slave (Exodus 21:32) and were prophesied as the price to be paid for Jesus, the rejected Shepherd (Zechariah 10:12). It prophesied that one of the Messiah's close friends would betray Him (Psalm 41:9; 55:12-14). 

Thursday before Sunset

209. Disciples prepare for the Passover: Matthew 26:17-19, Mark 14:12-16. Luke 22:7-13

The Feast of Unleavened Bread was seven days long. On the first day, Passover lambs were sacrificed (Mark 14:12). Passover and this Feast are often lumped together and just called Passover (Luke 22:1,7). See below for a fun thing to do on the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread!

We do not know where the "Upper Room" was located other than it was in the city of Jerusalem. 

They purchased and prepared the Passover food. Have you ever celebrated Passover? It is a great object lesson. We often do it on Holy Week. Here are pictures of us celebrating with others. 

Leonardo da Vinci [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

211. Jesus and the disciple share the Last Supper: Matthew 26:20-30, Mark 14:17-26, Luke 22:14-30, John 13:21-30

Leonardo da Vinci's painting did not get it right. They were all reclining and not sitting at a table (Matthew 26:20), but it is still a beautiful work of art!

John's account is the only one that mentions that Jesus was "troubled in spirit" (the Greek word, etarachthē, means stirred or agitated) when he identified that someone would betray Him. John, as the disciple Jesus loved, was reclining at Jesus' bosom and would have been more able to sense Jesus' spirit at the time. Luke is the only one who records Jesus saying "woe" (judgment) on the man who does the betraying. How disconcerting to learn that one of their own would betray Jesus.

The Matthew, Mark, and John accounts record the betrayer as the one who dips together with Jesus in the bowl. John's account records Him doing this act and giving the morsel to Judas. It was a "final extension of grace to Judas. A host's giving a morsel of bread to a guest was a sign of friendship" (The Bible Knowledge Commentary, John 13:25-27), but Judas did not take it as that and Satan entered him (John 13:27). John is the only gospel writer that records this and that the disciples still did not know Judas was the betrayer. 

How astounding that Luke would record a dispute about who was the greatest after Jesus had just said that someone would betray Him (Luke 22:24-30). Jesus told them this talk was "pagan thinking." The way UP to greatness was DOWN through service. In fact, it is "lowly service" in the Greek! Eventually, they would sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes in His Kingdom (Luke 22:30, Matthew 19:28). 

During the meal, Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper where the wine would represent the blood of the covenant and the unleavened bread, His body. The John account does not record Jesus' words regarding this. The Lord's Supper is to be done in remembrance of this (1 Corinthians 11:23-26). It is to be a memorial feast where believers are reminded that Jesus gave His body and blood for the redemption of the world! It is also celebrated to look forward to the day when He will come again. Lastly, it is a time when we can look within, examine our hearts, and repent of known sin (1 Corinthians 11:27-32).  Jesus was the Passover lamb, sacrificed for us, let us celebrate the feast (John 1:29, 1 Corinthians 5:7-8)!

Here is the general order of the last supper in 13 steps [some books show more steps, others fewer steps, so this is a general guideline]:

1. The head of the company, Jesus in this case, opens with a prayer and
2. Gives the 1st cup of wine for everyone in the company to drink.
3. The head of the company washes his hands.
4. The head of the company dips some of the bitter herbs into the salt water or vinegar and speaks a blessing, eats some of the herbs, and hands them to the others.
5. The unleavened bread is broken into pieces, reserving half to be eaten after supper, called the after dish.
6. The 2nd cup is filled and the youngest in the company (John) is instructed to ask questions about the significance of the Passover.
7. Psalms 113 and 114 are sung.
8. The 3rd cup of wine is filled, followed by prayer, and they all drink the cup.
9. Everyone washes his hands.
10. Supper begins with eating the unleavened bread and bitter herbs and the lamb. Everyone in the group must eat at least an olive size portion of the lamb. All the lamb is to be consumed or destroyed. no bones of the lamb are to be broken.
11. The after-dish of the bread broken earlier is eaten. It is believed this is where Jesus said, "Take eat, this is my body."
12. The 4th cup of wine is the point when Jesus told them to all drink of it, this was his blood.
13. Conclude with hymns and prayers. Psalms 115-118 and the Great Hallel - Psalm 136.

212. Jesus predicts Peter's denial: Luke 22:31-38, John 13:31-38

John records that Jesus said, "Now is the Son of Man glorified (The Amplified says, "Now He has achieved His glory, His honor, His exaltation!"), and God is glorified in Him; if God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify Him in Himself, and will glorify Him immediately."  As I mentioned in a previous post, "glorify" is a keyword in the Upper Room Discourse section of the book of John. Now that Jesus' time had come, it will come without delay. He was going away, and they were to love one another as He loved them (John 13:34, 35 should be memorized!). 

Of course, Peter could not handle Jesus going away just as he could not handle Jesus washing His feet. Jesus knew that Peter would not, at first, lay down his life for Jesus, but Satan would be given permission to "sift him like wheat" (Luke 22:31). We see another example of this in the book of Job.  Jesus predicted perfecting in the sifting. Denial would lead to a strengthened man who would strengthen others, and Peter's epistles later on in life will reflect that. Stay tuned.

After 9 pm until Pre-Dawn

223. Jesus agonizes in the garden: Matthew 26:36-46, Mark 14:32-42, Luke 22:39-46

After the Last Supper in the Upper Room (Possibly #3 on the map), they went to the Garden of Gethsemane (#4). Gethsemane means "an oil press." Obviously, the garden contained an olive grove and Jesus had often gone there with His disciples (John 18:1-2). He took the same disciples that He had taken to the transfiguration on the mountain and the raising of Jairus' daughter (Matthew 17, Luke 8:49-56): Peter, James, and John. All three accounts record that Jesus told them to pray, but Luke's account adds, "that you may not enter into temptation." Matthew and Mark record Him going away for three agonizing prayers and each time finding His disciples asleep on the watch. He rebukes Peter telling him that his "spirit is willing but his flesh is weak" (Matthew 26:41; Mark 14:38). God is not finished with Peter yet. He was eager with his mouth but not able to follow through with his actions as we will see very soon. 

Jesus' prayers were not because He was afraid of death, the "cup" He would endure would be taking on the sins of the world (John 18:11; 1 Peter 2:24). He was made sin and a curse for mankind (2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 3:13). He would also be forsaken by the Father (Matthew 27:46) at that moment (for a holy God cannot abide with sin). Jesus willingly drank this cup but not without agony. That would be a hard cup for the sinless Jesus, vitally connected to the Father! But it was necessary for us (Join the Bible Book Club for the book of Romans, and we will discuss this further!). 

The Luke account is a little different. It does not record the three prayers, and it also said that "an angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him," and that in the agony of His prayer "His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground" (Luke 22:43-44). This was no easy task for Jesus. 

224. Jesus is betrayed and arrested: Matthew 26:47-56, Mark 14:43-52, Luke 22:47-53, John 18:1-11.

Judas brings a large crowd, and the John account explains it was not only from the Jewish religious leaders but also from the Roman cohort (about 600 soldiers).

When they said they were looking for Jesus the Nazarene, John records that Jesus responded by saying, "I am." The NASB adds He in italics indicating that this word is not in the original Greek. If you are reading this in many other versions (including the NIV) they say “I am he” without italics and a very important thing is lost in the translation. Jesus was asserting His deity by saying “I am” (Exodus 3:14; John 8:58)!  I think this is why the people fell to the ground!

Matthew, Mark, and Luke mention Judas betraying Jesus with a kiss. John mentions Peter's brash act of cutting off the slave's right ear and even mentions his name! Jesus was arrested willingly and without any harm to His disciples fulfilling His prayer in John 17:2 (John 18:9). 

From: The Bible Knowledge Commentary New Testament, p. 84

Religious (Jewish) Trials 

226. Caiaphas questions Jesus: Matthew 26:57-68, Mark 14:53-65

Religious Trial Two

This is a brief trial while the religious leaders gathered testimony against Him. They found two false witnesses (Deuteronomy 19:15-21) who testified that He said, "I will destroy this temple (sanctuary) made with hands and in three days I will build another made without hands" (Mark 14:58). Jesus had said this about three years earlier (John 2:19). Speaking against the temple was the cause of the death of Stephen (Acts 6:12-14; 7:45-50), but Jesus was referring to His body. 

Jesus did not respond to this charge, fulfilling Isaiah 53:7. He also led an example for us, as described in 1 Peter 2:18-23. 

Since this charge was not incriminating enough. Caiaphas put Jesus under oath (Exodus 20:7; Leviticus 19:12; Numbers 30:2) and asked if He was the Son of God. Since Jesus had already asserted this (John 10:30-33), He affirmed it quoting Psalm 110:1 and Daniel 7:13, prophetic messianic passages predicting his resurrection, ascension, and return to His place of glory. The significance of this claim is beautifully summed up in an article by Brad Bromling: 

To identify Jesus as the Son of God is to acknowledge His genealogical connection to Israel, His right to the throne of David, and His unparalleled nearness to God. To confess that Jesus is the Son of God is to declare as true Jesus’ claim: “He who has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9).

Caiaphas passed condemnation of death with this blasphemous statement. This marks the beginning of Jesus' physical abuse. 

Early Friday Morning before Dawn (when the "cock crowed")

227. Peter denies knowing Jesus: Matthew 26:69-75, Mark 14:66-72, Luke 22:54-65, John 18:25-27

It is just before dawn, and these denials occurred either during Jesus's trial with Annas (John 18:12-24) or Caiphas (Matthew 26:57-68; Mark 14:53-65).  The three denials are in such contrast to his boast to lay down his life for Jesus (John 13:37) and the cutting off of Malchus' ear during the arrest (John 18:10). How ironic that a relative of Malchus would ask the final question that prompted the final denial! Don't lose hope on Peter though. Those three denials will be followed by three affirmations by Peter in John 21. Stay tuned!

Friday at Dawn

Religious Trial Three

228. The council of religious leaders condemns Jesus: Matthew 27:1-2, Mark 15:1, Luke 22:66-71

Luke's account of this event gives the most detail. At daybreak (because it was illegal to meet at night), Jesus was led to the third Jewish trial before the Sanhedrin (council of elders). They were the official judicial body of the Jewish nation. It was also considered the final court of appeals. Jesus said He was the Son of God and would be seated at the right hand of God. Jesus was pronounced GUILTY of blasphemy. Now, Jesus had to be handed over to the civil court of the Romans because the Jews were not allowed to sentence anyone to death. The leaders refused to believe; just as Jesus said.

REFLECTION/APPLICATION 

When following Jesus isn't cool, do you subtly deny Him by not speaking up for Him? I don't know if I wouldn't have done the same thing as Peter. It is hard to be "under fire."  Our self-preservation mode kicks in during those times, and it is hard to overcome our flesh (remember in the Matthew and Mark accounts in the Garden that Jesus told Peter specifically that "his spirit was willing but his flesh was weak" [Matthew 26:41; Mark 14:38]). 

Just yesterday, I felt cornered by three people who could not understand why I had done something a few years ago. I simply answered, "I have to stand before God on that." Sometimes it is hard to stand against the tide. But we stand with God. 

What about you? Do you stand up (with gentleness and respect) when you are persecuted for Jesus?  Pray about it.

You also might like to follow this audio prayer exercise based on the Last Supper: Taken, Blessed, Broken, Given Examen.

God In All Things · Taken, Blessed, Broken, and Given: An Examen

    

You can also download it in written form.

It comes from the God in All Things Website

PRAYER

Lord, help us to stand strong and not deny Your name. Amen.