PART XI

JESUS WITH THE TWELVE IN THE SHADOW OF THE CROSS

Wednesday Afternoon to Thursday Night, April 5-6, A.D. 30

146 A Great Discourse to The Disciples About the Destruction of Jerusalem and the End of the World

Wednesday afternoon, April 5, on the Mount of Olives

Matt 24-35, Mark 13:1-37, Luke 21:5-36

1 Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to (Lk5b) how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, 6 "As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; everyone of them will be thrown down."

3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John and Andrew asked him privately, 4 "Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all fulfilled? (Matt 3b) and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?"

4 Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, claiming, "I am the Christ," and, 'The time is near.' (Mk6b) and will deceive many. (Lk 8b) Do not follow them. 7 When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, (Lk9b) and revolutions, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away."

10 Then he said to them: "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilence in various places, and fearful events and great sings from heaven.

12 "But before all this, they will lay hands on you and persecute you. (Mk8c) These are the beginning of birth pains.

9 "You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the (Lk12b) synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before (Mk9c) governors and kings (MT9b) and to be put to death, (Lk 12c) all on account of my name. 13 This will result in your being witnesses to them. 11 Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, (Lk 14b) make up you mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. (Ml11b) Just say what ever is given you at the time, for it is not your speaking but the Holy Spirit. 15 For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist and contradict, (Mt9b) and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 "Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. 16 You will be betrayed by parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom (Mk14b) must first be preached in the whole world as testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. 20 "When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near. 15 (Mt 15) So when you are standing in the holy -place 'the abomination that causes desolation,' spoken of through the prophet Daniel - let the reader understand - then let those who are in Judea flee to (Lk21b) the mountains let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city. 15 Let no one on the roof of his house to take anything out. 16 Let no one in the field go back to get his cloak. 22 For this is the time of punishment in fulfillment of all that has been written. 23 how dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! There will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people. 24 They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. 20 Pray that your flight will not take the place in winter or on the Sabbath. 21 For then will days of distress unequaled from the beginning, when God created the world, until now - and never to be equaled again. 20 If he Lord had been cur short those days, no one would survive. But for the sake of the elect, whom he had shortened them. 21 At that time if anyone says to you , "Lord, here is the Christ! or 'Look, there he is!' do not believe it. 22 For false Christ's and false prophets will appear and perform (great signs and wonders and miracles to deceive even the elect - if that were possible. 23 So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time.

26 "So if any one tells you, 'There he is, out in the desert,' do not go out; or, 'here he is, in the inner rooms,' do not believe it. 27 For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 28 Whatever there is a carcass, there will be vultures will gather.

24 "But in those days, following that distress, 25 there will be signs in the sun, moon and stars.

on the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. 26 "Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world,

'for the heavenly bodies will be shaken'

26 "At that time the sing of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn . They will see the Son of Man coming on clouds of the sky, with power and great glory. 31 And he will send his angels with a trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens. 28 When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your redemption is drawing near."

29 He told them this parable:

"Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, (Lk30b) you can see for themselves and know that summer is near. 31 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near, right at the door. 30 I tell the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 31 heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

36 "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, not the son, but only the Father. 37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. that is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Two men will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. Be on guard! Be alert!

(Lk34) "Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. 35 For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man."

42 "Therefore keep watch, because you know on what day your Lord will come. (Mk34) It's like a man going away: he leaves his house in charge of his servants, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.

35 "Therefore keep watch because you do not know, when the owner of the house will come back - whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. 36 If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. 43 But understanding this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

(Mk37) What I say to you , I say to every one: 'Watch!'"

45 "Who then is the faithful and wise servant, who the master has put in charge of all his possessions. 48 But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, 'My master is staying away a long time,' 49 and he begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. 50 The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. 51 He will cut him into pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

1 "At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4 The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy.

6 "At midnight the cry rang out: "Here's the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!'

7 "Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil ; our lamps are going out.'

9 "'No,'" they replied, 'there may not be enough for both of us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and but some for yourselves.'

10 "But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went with him to the weeding banquet. And the door was shut.

11 "Later the others also came, 'Sir! , Sir! they said, 'Open the door for us!'

12 "But he replied, 'I tell you the truth, I don't know you.'

13 "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.

14 "Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. 15 To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received the five talents went at once an put his money to work and gained five more. 17 So also, the one with the two talents gained two more. 18 But the one who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money.

19 "After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who received the five talents brought the other five. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.'

21 "His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!"

22 The man who received the two talents brought the other two. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.'

23 "His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!"

24 "Then the man who had received the one talent came. 'Master,' he said, 'I knew you were hard man, harvesting where you did not sow and gathering where you do not gather seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.'

26 "His master replied, 'You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that Harvest where I had not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put the money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.

28 "'Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has ten talents. 29 For everyone who has will be given more, and will have abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. And throw that worthless servant out into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'

31 "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep in his right and the goats of his left.

34 "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you are blessed but my father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in. 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

37 "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in person and go to visit you?'

40 "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

41 "Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me. I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'

44 "They also will answer, "Lord, when did we see you thirsty or hungry or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?"

45 "He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'

46 "Then they will of away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."

147 While Jesus on the mount of Olives is Again Warning His Disciples About His Impending Crucifixion, the Religious Leaders in Jerusalem Plot His Death.

Wednesday afternoon, April 5

Matt 26:1-5, Mark 14:1-2, Luke 22:1-2

1 When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples, 2 "As you know, the Passover 1b the Feast of Unleavened Bread (MT2b) is two days away - and the son of Man will be crucified."

3 Then the chief priests (Mk1b) and the teachers of the law (Mt3b) and the elders of the people assembled in the palace of the high priest, whose name Caiaphas, 4 and they plotted to arrest Jesus some sly way and kill him. 5 "But not during the Feast," they said, "or the people may riot," for they were afraid of the people.

148 Jesus Honored at Bethany - Mary's Lavish Expression of Devotion

Wednesday evening, April 5

Matt 26:6-13, Mark 14:3-9, John 12:2-8

6 While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, (Jn2b) a dinner was given in Jesus' honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those recline at the table with him. 3 Then Mary took containing about a pint of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on (Jn3c) Jesus' feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 8 When the disciples saw his, they were saying indignantly to one another, "Why waste this perfume? (Jn4b) Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, (Mk4b) rebuked her harshly. (Jn 5) "Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given and given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages." He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it. 10 Aware of this, Jesus said to them, "Leave her alone, (Mt 26) why are you bothering this woman? She had done a beautiful thing to me. 7 The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them anytime you want. But you will not have me. 8 She did what she could. 12 When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it (Mk8b) beforehand to prepare for my burial. 9 I tell you the truth, wherever the gospel is preached through out the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her."

149 Judas Bargains With the Jewish leaders to Betray Jesus

Jerusalem, Wednesday night, April 5

Matt 26: 14-16, Mark 14:10-11, Luke 22:3-6

3 Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. 4 And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might (Mk10b) betray Jesus to them. 11 They were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money. So he (Mt15b) asked, "What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?" so they counted out thirty silver coins. 6 He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present.

150 Preparing for the Passover Meal in an Upper Room

Jerusalem, Thursday, April 6

Matt 26:17-19, Mark 14:12-16, Luke 22:7-13

12 One the first day of the Feast of the Unleavened Bread, when it was customary to sacrifice the Passover lamb, 8 Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, "Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover."

9 "Where do you want us to prepare for it?" they asked.

10 He replied, "As you enter the city, a man carrying water will meet you. Follow him to the house that he enters, 11 and say to the owner of the house, 'The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. (Mk14b) Where is my guest room, where I am going to celebrate the Passover (Jn14b) with my disciples?' 15 He will show you a large upper room, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there."

16 The disciples left, went into the city and found things just as Jerusalem has told them. So they (Mt19b) did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover.

151 At the Beginning of the Passover Jesus Washes the Feet of his Unwilling Disciples, and Gently Rebukes Then Their Selfish Pride

Jerusalem, Thursday evening, April 6

Matt 20:26, Mark 14:17, Luke 22:14-16, 24-30, John 13:1-20

17 When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve. 1 It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love. Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. 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; 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 tell you, I will not eat again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God."

The evening meal was being served, and the devil already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon. to betray Jesus. 24 Also a dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. 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 then with the towel that was wrapped around him.

6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?"

7 Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand."

8 "No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet."

Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me."

9 "Then, Lord," Simon Peter replied, "not just feet but my hands and my head as well!"

10 Jesus answered, "A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you." 11 For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.

12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. 13 "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so and that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one anther's feet 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. 26 But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. 27 For who is greater, should the one who is a the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. 28 You are those who have stood my me in my trials. 29 And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my father conferred one on me, 30 so that you eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 18 "I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill the scripture: 'He who shares my bread has lifted up his heel against me.'

19 "I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am he. 20 I tell you the truth, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me."

152 During the Passover Meal, Jesus Makes a Final Unsuccessful Appeal to Judas, by Intimating That he is Aware of His Intentions

Jerusalem, Thursday evening , April 6

Matt 26:21-25, Mark 14:18-21, Luke 22:21-23, John 13:21-30

21 After he had said this, 18 while they were reclining at the table eating, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, "I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray me - one who is eating with me."

22 The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed, just as it had been written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had never been born."

21 But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table. 22 His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant. 23 They were very sad and one by one they said to him "Surely not I, Lord?"

20 "It is one of the Twelve," he replied, "one who dips bread into the bowl with me will betray me. 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 Iscariot, son of Simon. 25 Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, "Surely not I, Rabbi?"

Jesus answered, "Yes it is you."

27 As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him.

"What are you about to do, do quickly," Jesus told him, 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 Feast, or to give something to the poor. 30 As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night.

153 After the Departure of Judas, Jesus Institutes the Ordinance of the Last Supper

Jerusalem, Thursday night, April 6

Matt 26:26-29, Mark 14:22-25, Luke 22:17-20, John 13:31-32

31 When he was gone, Jesus said, "Now is the Son of Man glorified and God is glorified in him. 32 If God is glorified in him, God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once. 22 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his, saying, "Take it; 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, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you." and they all drank from it.

24 "This is the blood of the new covenant which is poured out for many for the sins he said to them. 25 "I tell you the truth, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father's kingdom."

154 Jesus Begins His Farewell Discourse to the Disciples in the Upper Room

Jerusalem, Thursday night, April 6

Matt 26:31-35, Mark 14:27-31, Luke 22:31-38, John 13:33-14:31

31 Then Jesus told them, 33 "My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Judeans, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come.

34 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have love you, so you must love one another. 35 All men will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.

36 Simon Peter asked him, "Lord, where are you going?"

Jesus replied, "Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later."

37 Peter asked, "Lord, why can't I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you."

38 " Then Jesus answered, "Will you really lay down your life for me?"

"This very night you will all fall away on account of me for it is written:

32 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee."

29 Peter declared, even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.

Jesus answered, "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."

33 He replied, "Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death."

34 Jesus answered, "I tell you, Peter, today - yes, tonight - before the rooster crows thrice you yourself will deny me three times that you knew me."

31 But Peter insisted emphatically, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you."

And all the other disciples said the same. 35 Then Jesus asked them, "When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?"

"Nothing," they answered.

36 He said to them, "But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don't have a swords sell your cloak and buy one. 37 It is written; 'And he was numbered with the transgressors'; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment."

38 The disciples said, "See, Lord, here are two swords."

"That is enough," he replied.

1 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; I trust also in me. 2 In my father's house are many rooms; if it were not so I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you may also be where I am. 4 You know the place where I am going."

5 Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?"

6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him."

8 Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us."

9 Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you for such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show me the Father'? 10 Don't you believe that I am in the Father and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. 11 Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves. 12 I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

15 "If you love me, you will obey what I command. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever - 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him or knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you. 19 Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you will live also. 20 On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 21 Whoever hears my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and will show myself to him."

22 Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, "But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not the rest of the world.?"

23 Jesus replied, "If any one loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and he will come to him and make his home with him. 24 He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.

25 "All this I have spoken while still with you. 28 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach of all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let me your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

28 "You heard me say, 'I am going away and I am coming back to you.' If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. 29 I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe. 30 I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on me, 31 but the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me. Come now; let us leave.

155. Leaving the Upper Room, Jesus Continues His Farewell Discourse to the Disciples on the Way to the Garden of Gethsemane

Jerusalem Thursday night, April 6

Matt 26:30, Mark 14:26, Luke 22:39 John 15-16

26 When they had sung a hymn, 39 Jesus went out to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. 1 [On the way he said to them]

"I am the true vine and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does not bear fruit he trims clean so that it will be more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

5 "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me, and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me nothing. 6 If anyone does not remain in me and my words remain, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8 This to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

9 "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that one may lay down his life for his friends.. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, of everything that I have learned from your Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not chose me, but I chose you to go and bear fruit - fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 17 This is my command: Love each other.

18 "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as your own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. 20 Remember the words I spoke to you: 'no servant is greater that his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obey my teaching, they will obey yours also. 21 They will treat you this way because of my name for they do not know the one who sent me. 22 If I had not came on spoken to them, they would to be guilty of sin. 23 He who hates me hates my Father as well. 24 If I had not done among them what no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. But now they have seen these miracles, and yet they have hated both me and my father. 25 But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: 'They hated me without reason.'

26 When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me; 27 but you also must testify, for you have been with me since the beginning.

1 "All this I have told you so that you do not go astray. 2 They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God. 3 They will do such things because they have not know the Father or me. 4 I have told you this, so that when the time comes you will remember that I warned you. I did not tell you this at first because I was with you.

5 "Now I am going to him who sent me, yet none of you asks me, 'Where are you going?' 6 Because I have said these things, you are filled with grief. 7 But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go the Counselor will not come to you. but if I go, I will send him to you. 8 When he comes he will convict the world of guilt in term of sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; 10 in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you will see me no longer; 11 and regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.

12 "I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. he will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will bring glory to me by taking from me what is mine and making it known to you. 15 All that belongs to the father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.

16 "In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me."

17 Some of the disciples said to one another, "What does he mean by saying, 'In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me.' and 'Because I am going to the Father'?" 18 They kept asking, "What does he mean by 'a little while'? We don't understand what he is saying."

19 Jesus saw that they wanted to ask him about this, so he said to them, "Are you asking one another what I meant when I said, "In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a while you will see me'? 20 I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. 21 A woman giving to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy. 23 In that day you will no longer ask me anything, I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.

25 "Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but I will tell you plainly about my Father. 26 In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. 27 No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. 28 I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father."

29 Then Jesus disciples said, "Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech. 30 Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God."

31 "You believe at last! Jesus answered. 32 "But at a time is coming, and has come, when you will be scattered, each one to his own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me.

33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

156 Christ's Intercessory Prayer.

Perhaps in the Temple Court, Jerusalem, on the way to the Garden of Gethsemane. Thursday April 6, toward midnight.

John 17

1 After Jesus said this , he looked toward heaven and prayer:

"Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. 2 For you granted him, authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. 3 Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. 4 I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. 5 and now, Father, glorify me in your presence with me glory I had with you before the world began.

6 "I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. 7 Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. 8 For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believe that you sent me. I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me for they are yours. 10 All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to them through me. 11 I remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name - the name you gave me - so that they may be one as we are one. 12 While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so the Scripture may be fulfilled.

13 "I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. 14 I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not for the world any more than I am of the world. 19 For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.

20 "My prayer is not for them alone, I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that they gave me, that they may be one as we are one: 23 I am them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you loved me.

24 "Father, I want those who you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you love me before the creation of the world.

25 "Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. 26 I have made you know to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them."

157 Christ's Agony in the Garden of Gethsemane

Thursday, April 6, about midnight

Matt 26:36-46, Mark 14:32-42, Luke 22:40-46, John 18:1

1 When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was an olive grove, (Mk32b) called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, "Sit here while (Mt32b) I go over there and pray." 37 he (Mk33b) began to be deeply distressed and (Mt37c) sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, "My soul is overwhelm with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me. (Lk40c) Pray that you will not fall into temptation."

(Mk35) Going a little farther, (Lk41b) about a stone's throw beyond them, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. 36 "Abba, Father," he said, "everything is possible for you. (Lk42) Father if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done."

43 An angel appeared from heaven 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. 45 When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow.

(Mk37b) "Simon," he said to Peter, "are you asleep? (Mt 40c) could you not keep watch with me for one hour? (Mk38b) Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." 39 Once more he went away and prayed the same thing. (Mt42b) "My Father, if it is possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done."

(Mk40) And when he came back, he found them again sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to him. (Mt44) So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.

(Mt45) Then he returned to the disciples and the third time, and he said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look the Son of Man is betrayed into hands of sinners. 42 Rise! Let us go! here comes my betrayer!"