The sun rises on a new day for Jesus. Waking up to talk to his Father and preparing for what was to come on this Thursday. It was going to be a day filled with laughter, joy, heartache, pain and betrayal. What does Scripture say Jesus experienced on this day? There is not much in scripture describing the early hours of the day, but the afternoon and evening are very descriptive. Let us take a look.
The Last Supper
Luke 22:14-20
14 When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. 15 And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.”
17 After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. 18 For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”
19 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”
20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.
Washed Disciples Feet
John 13:1-17
13 It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.
2 The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
Jesus Predicts His Betrayal
John 13:18-30
18 “I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill this passage of Scripture: ‘He who shared my bread has turned against me.’
19 “I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am who I am. 20 Very truly I tell you, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me.”
21 After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, “Very truly I tell you, one of you is going to betray me.”
22 His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant. 23 One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him. 24 Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, “Ask him which one he means.”
25 Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, “Lord, who is it?”
26 Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. 27 As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him.
So Jesus told him, “What you are about to do, do quickly.” 28 But no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him. 29 Since Judas had charge of the money, some thought Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the festival, or to give something to the poor. 30 As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night.
Jesus continues to teach his disciples:
John 14 - Do not let your hearts be troubled
John 14 - Jesus is the way, the truth and the life (Thomas)
John 14 - Jesus promises Holy Spirit to disciples
Then we move to the garden, the Garden of Gethsemane
Luke 22:39-46
39 Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. 40 On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” 41 He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” 43 An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. 44 And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.
And then we see the betrayal of Judas
John 18:2-12
2 Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. 3 So Judas came to the garden, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons.
4 Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?”
5 “Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied.
“I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) 6 When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.
7 Again he asked them, “Who is it you want?”
8 Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. If you are looking for me, then let these men go.” 9 This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: “I have not lost one of those you gave me.”
10 Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.)
11 Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?”
12 Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him
As you read these passages, we continue to see that none of this took the Lord Jesus by surprise. He knew about Judas. He knew Peter was going to deny him. He knew he had to leave and so explaining to the disciples about the Holy Spirit was vital. Jesus knew. Even when he was in the Garden of Gethsemane, he knew. He felt the impact of that moment so much that he pleaded with God to change the situation; make it different. But there was no other way, so we see Jesus pray the most amazing prayer response in history, “Not my will be done, but Yours.”
Christ gave up EVERYTHING at that moment. Everything in his human body was fighting his heavenly Father at that moment, yet he submitted to God, lifted his hands in surrender and did what had to be done.
Because of that act of surrender and what was about to occur next, the course of eternity was changed forever.
RESPONSE:
After reading these passages and understanding the magnitude of what Christ went through on this Thursday, what is your heart telling you to do? Is there something you are holding on to in life that you need to give up and give to the Father. Are you so consumed with your own desires that you are fighting with God and not giving up your desires to allow him to be the center of your life? Give it up today and lift your hands to God in surrender.
Watch this video as a reminder of surrendering your life to Jesus today.
Tonight at 5-7p at Cottonwood Creek Church Worship Center we are having a unique worship time tonight called Maundy Thursday. Watch this video to find out more.
Blessings - Keith
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