The
Final Week in Jerusalem
Matthew
26, Mark 14, Luke 22, John 13, 18
The Plot to Kill Jesus
Jesus was very
popular with the crowds of people in Jerusalem. The chief priests of the temple
felt their authority slipping away and became very jealous. They were looking
for a way to kill Jesus, but they didn't know how they could arrest Him without
starting a riot.
But one of
Jesus' disciples, Judas, became a traitor. As a disciple, Judas knew all the
places that Jesus usually went. He could lead the chief priests to Jesus late
at night when He was away from all the crowds of people. That way, they could
arrest Jesus without causing a riot.
Judas went to
the chief priests and told them his plan. They liked it and paid Judas a large
sum of money - about four months' wages - to betray Jesus.
Jesus Washes His Disciples' Feet
The day had
come for the Passover meal. The Jews celebrated Passover, as they had for
centuries - with roasted lamb, unleavened bread, bitter herbs and four cups of
wine.
Jesus made
plans to celebrate with the twelve disciples that He had named as apostles.
Jesus sent them into Jerusalem to prepare a traditional Passover meal, and He
joined them that evening.
Then Jesus did
something that surprised everyone. He got a towel and a wash basin and began to
wash the feet of each of His apostles.
When it was
Peter's turn, he didn't think it was right for Jesus to be washing feet. People
walked around in sandals on the dusty roads, and it was the job of a servant to
wash the feet of a guest when he came into a house. But Jesus was not a
servant; He was the master!
Peter said,
"Lord, are you going to wash my feet?" Jesus replied, "You don't know why I am doing this, but you will
understand later." Peter was not convinced and said, "You will
never wash my feet!" But Jesus said, "Unless
I wash you, you will have no part of me." So Peter said, "Then
wash my hands and head as well, Lord!"
The Last Supper
Jesus knew
that Judas would betray Him, and He would be crucified the next day. It was not
only Passover; it was Jesus' last meal with His disciples, so it was a very
special occasion.
As Jesus and
His disciples were eating, Jesus again surprised and upset all the disciples.
He said, "Truly I tell you, one of you who is
eating with Me will betray Me!" All the disciples looked around and
said, "Surely, it is not I, Lord." Peter asked Jesus, "Who is
it, Lord?" Jesus replied, "It is the one I
give this piece of bread to." Then he handed the bread to His
disciple Judas and said, "Do quickly what you are
going to do." Judas left immediately, but most of the disciples did
not know why.
Then Jesus
took a loaf of bread, blessed it and broke it into pieces. He gave a piece to each of the eleven remaining disciples and
said, "This is My body, which is given for you. Do
this in remembrance of Me.
Then he took a
cup of wine, gave thanks, and passed it around the table, saying, "Drink from it, all of you; this is My blood of the
covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I will
never again drink wine until that day when I drink it new with you in My
Father's kingdom."
Jesus is Arrested
After the
Passover meal, Jesus led His disciples out to a deserted garden called
Gethsemane to pray. He prayed to His Father in heaven that He could somehow be
spared the agony of crucifixion that He knew He was about to face. But, above
all, He was determined to complete His earthly mission. He closed His prayer by
saying, "My Father, if this suffering cannot be
avoided, Your will be done."
Jesus often
went to Gethsemane with the disciples, and Judas knew this was the perfect
place to arrest Jesus without attracting attention. The chief priests and
elders of the temple sent an armed mob along with Judas. Judas told the mob he
would identify Jesus by giving Him a kiss, a common form of greeting at that
time.
Now Judas
arrived with the mob sent by the chief priests. He went up to Jesus, kissed
Him, and said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" This was the signal for the mob to
take Jesus captive.
Peter, wanting
to defend Jesus, drew his sword and cut off the ear of the high priest's
servant. But Jesus said, "Put away your sword; all
who take to the sword will die by the sword. Don't you know that I could ask My
Father, and he would send legions of angels to protect Me. But the scriptures
say it must happen this way."
The mob
grabbed Jesus and took Him to the house of Caiaphas, the high priest. But all
of Jesus' disciples ran away in fear that they would also be arrested.
In Christ,
Playwright
Janet Irene Thomas
Founder/CEO
Bible
Stories Theatre of
Fine
& Performing Arts
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