John 17:1-26 (NIV)
1 After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: “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 the 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 believed that you sent me. 9 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 me through them. 11 I will 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 that Scripture would 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 of the world any more than I am of the world. 15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into 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 you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: 23 I in 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 have loved me. 24 “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved 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 known 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.”

John chapter 17 is the conclusion of the time that Jesus spends with His disciples preparing them for what was about to come. This entire chapter is a prayer. His concern for His disciples, and ultimately us is displayed in His concern and passion. Knowing what He was about to experience, the cross, the humiliation, the betrayal, He takes the time He has left and devotes it to the care of His disciples.

John 17:1-5

Jesus begins His prayer by praying for Himself. Which is a good place to start prayer, and by which He gives us a picture of our lives as His disciples. Just as He would bring glory to the Father by completing the work He had been given, Jesus would then be glorified in the Father’s presence. Jesus life had a purpose, even though His time here was momentary, and then He was taken by the Father when His work was finished.
Our lives here, are momentary, they have a purpose, and when we have completed out task we will also be taken by the Father to be in His presence.

John 17:6-19

Jesus then goes on to pray that God would protect His disciples as they live in a fallen world. His prayer includes that we would be sanctified by God’s truth. His word is truth. Let me take a moment again to encourage you to read His Word, so that you would know the truth, and that the truth would set you free. He also prays that we would be sent into the world, not isolate ourselves from it, but to live as His witnesses in the world. This is not accomplished by legalistic, self-righteous, Pharisee type behavior, but by living and loving well and extravagantly. Being vessels of God’s grace and mercy, and letting people know how much God loves them and that He has made a way to have relationship with them in Christ. Being sanctified by His Word allows us to live by doing the next right thing.

John 17:20-26

By living out the call to be His ambassadors, we are continuing to advance the Kingdom of God. Jesus emphasizes that He was praying not just for the disciples, but for “those who will believe in Me through their message.” That includes you and I and all the believers throughout the centuries. Isn’t it cool to be a part of His story. The church continues to grow and multiply as Jesus continues to reach out through us.
All of this is made possible as we continue to live in Him, as we find life in Him, knowing that he is our source, and that we will be with Him forever.

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John 16:1-33 (NIV)
1 “All this I have told you so that you will 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 known 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 away, 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 regard to 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 can see me no longer; 11 and in 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 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 his 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 little 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 birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. 22 So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your 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. 24 Until now you have not asked for anything 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 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 a time is coming, and has come, when you will be scattered, each 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.”

John 16:1-15

Jesus told the disciples that they would face persecution. As His followers, we will experience persecution. Sometimes in small things. In our culture today, the persecution is primarily being the butt of jokes and being portrayed horribly by television and movies. In many cultures, however, believers are paying the ultimate price and being martyred for their beliefs. The Holy Spirit comes in to our lives to lead and guide us. To give us the wisdom that we need to apply to the Word of God so that we know how we are to live in the world. As we do that, as we love one another, the world will notice that there is something different about us. Some will respond and believe, others will respond with persecution.

Last week we talked about two extremes that Christians often move towards with regard to the world. One is to be conformed to the world and its values and lifestyle. The problem is that this results in a situation where God has no witness in the world of truth and life and grace. The other extreme is to withdraw and isolate so as not to be corrupted by the world, and yet this leaves the same result of God not having a witness in the world.

It is only as we are involved on a daily basis with people that the contrast between God’s ways and man’s way can really be demonstrated. The natural response to persecution is to withdraw or to conform. But we, are to live by the Spirit, We are to live under the pressure and even to expose ourselves to the pain of this world, because in this way God can reveal His glory in our lives.

John 16:16-33

If that seems to heavy to bear, even with Jesus giving us the Holy Spirit, He also gives us the resource of prayer. Because we are filled with the Spirit and connected to Jesus in prayer, life in the world, in spite of hostility and persecution, is a life of joy. How is joy possible? It is possible because we are able to bring every need to Him in prayer, and can be confident that He hears us. “My Father will give you whatever you ask in My name,” Jesus said. “Until now you have not asked for anything in My name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.”

Jesus gives a great picture of joy in verses 20 and 21. When a woman is delivering a baby, there is not much joy to be found. But as soon as the baby arrives, everything changes.
I love the assurance that Jesus concludes the chapter with, “The Father Himself loves you because you have loved Me and have believed that I came from God.”

Since God loves us, what do we really need to fear? Jesus goes on and says, “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.” Jesus is Lord. He has given us His Holy Spirit, and God loves us. That is why we can have peace and joy in the midst of living in a fallen world on a broken planet.

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John 15:1-27 (NIV)
1 “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 bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of 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 you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not remain in me, 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 is 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. 10 If you obey my commands, you will 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 he 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, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed 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 its 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 than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed 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 come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now, however, they have no excuse for their 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 And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning.

As Jesus continues His discussion with the disciples, He is talking about how believers will relate to God and to each other.

John 15:1-17

This community of believers will be relating in a way that is beyond their own capabilities. The life that He is calling us to can only be lived in the context of being in relationship with Jesus and with the help and power of the Holy Spirit. The idea of living a fruitful life is about cooperating with the Holy Spirit so that “fruit can be developed”. This fruit is the fruit of the Holy Spirit described in Galatians 5:22-23:

Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

How does the fruit develop? On a living vine. Apart from the vine, we cannot bear the fruit of the Spirit.

There are a couple of questions that usually pop up out of these verses.

1. What does it mean to remain in Him?

By learning and obeying His commands, His Word begins to shape our characters and personalities. As we experience the goodness, the grace and the mercy of God in our lives, we will live more and more in the center of His love, His will for our lives.

2. What does it mean to be thrown away?

I believe that this verse is talking about producing fruit and not about salvation. As a part of the living vine, we are to bear fruit. This fruit is born out of remaining in Him and allowing the Holy Spirit to work in us. If we do not remain in Him, then our lives will never reach the potential of all that he has for us. We will have missed the main purpose of life and the resulting life will be as empty as being a useless branch that is broken off and burned up. Its usefulness is only for a brief moment’s warmth and then it is used up. It is a picture of what our lives would be apart from abiding or remaining in Him. We will never experience the fullness of life He has for us unless we remain in Him.

John 15:18-27

This community of believers should be an awesome thing, and yet Jesus warns us that people in the world will hate us.

The world will hate us because darkness hates the light. In some measure, as His community, filled with Spirit, as imperfect as we are, the Spirit’s ministry of conviction is often taken out on the church.
And yet God has left us here for a purpose. To acts as His ambassadors to let people trapped in the darkness that they can come into the light, which is Christ.

And while we are here we need to avoid extremes. We are not to be conformed to the patterns of the world.

Romans 12:2 (NIV)
2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Nor are we to

1 John 2:15-16 (NIV)
15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For everything in the world–the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does–comes not from the Father but from the world.

We are to love the people of the world but reject the attitudes and values of the world. Another extreme is withdrawal. Once we are aware of how twisted and perverted the world system is, we may think that the best thing to do is to completely disengage from it. And yet we are called to be a light and a witness to the world. We can not accomplish this without remaining involved at some level. We need to be involved but not conformed.

Another extreme is to become judgmental and critical. That somehow we need to point out to the world all their bad stuff. This never works and just pushed people father away from the truth. We have to love them in to the Kingdom of God. We need to demonstrate the love, and the grace and the mercy of God. We love them in, and the Holy Spirit cleans us all up.

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John 14:1-31 (NIV)
1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; 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. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to 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 such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us 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 is 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 do 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 nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 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 has 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 show myself to him.” 22 Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, “But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?” 23 Jesus replied, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our 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. 26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you 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 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.

John 14:1-7

TRUST. Jesus was going where the disciples could not follow, as we saw in the end of chapter 13, but His absence would be temporary. He was going to prepare a place for them. And during this absence, we are to trust Him. We don’t need to know the exact location of where He is, it is enough to know that He is the way the truth and the life. This “trust” in the Lord, is a big part of the foundation that we all need to have as His disciples. Sometimes, living in this fallen world, on a broken planet, we can feel very alone and we can be overcome with doubt (troubles hearts). But we are to remember that He is the way and the truth and the life and that we must trust in Him.

John 4:8-14

Phillip’s request to show us the Father is a very typical response. Trusting in someone you can’t see requires faith. It is where the rubber meets the road. Jesus response is fascinating.

“Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father.”

Jesus then goes on to explain that even if Phillip couldn’t see God in Jesus, the miracles that He did were evidence that the Father was present. God, while not physically present, expressed Himself to the world in Jesus, in the things He said and did.

This is important for all disciples to understand, God does not need to be physically present to impact our world, and neither will Jesus. Just as the Father acted in Jesus, Jesus will act through His disciples.
It is in this understanding that we are to ask (pray) “whatever” in His name and He will do it. So not only are we to trust, we are to bring everything to Him in prayer, confident that He is faithful to answer.

John 4:15-31

The Holy Spirit will come and will lead and guide us into truth, so that we can live lives of obedience to God. Trust, faith, prayer, and obedience are all part of the hallmarks of believers.

“If anyone loves Me, he will obey My teaching. My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.”

This life of trust, faith, prayer and obedience will lead to peace.

A quick thought on praying in Jesus name:

John 14:13 talks about praying in Jesus name. This is more than just tacking on “in Jesus name” to the end of your prayer (which I think serves a purpose in helping us remember what it is all about), but we are to be praying in accordance with His will. As we pray in accordance with His will, God answers and is glorified. I believe that God always answers prayer. Sometimes it is now, sometimes it is no, and sometimes it is wait.

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John 13:1-38 (NIV)
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. 2 The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, 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. 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 my 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, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’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. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. 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.” 21 After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, “I tell you the truth, 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 Iscariot, son of Simon. 27 As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. “What you are 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. 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. 33 “My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, 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 loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this 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? I tell you the truth, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!

These next few chapters in the book of John make up what is referred to as the Last Supper Discourse. Contained in these chapters are very specific details on how we, as disciples of Jesus, are to live in our relationship with God and with others. You will notice that Jesus spends a lot of the discussion talking about the Holy Spirit and His role when Jesus returns to the Father.

Let’s talk about Judas for a moment. Judas represents everyone that Jesus offers eternal life and who refuse to respond to the invitation. Judas had been with Jesus and the disciples, had witnessed the miracles firsthand, and yet still chose not to believe. Outwardly, he looked like the rest of the disciples but inwardly he was more like the Pharisees. His state of unbelief left him open to the influence of the evil one and he betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. Ultimately, Judas is remorseful over what he has done, and he tries to return the money to the religious leaders. Once again, the Pharisees, who were responsible to comfort and offer cleansing to the sinner, demonstrated that they just didn’t care. “What is it to us?”. Jesus response is to kill himself. His remorse didn’t lead to repentance and forgiveness which he had so often seen in Jesus.

John 13:1-20

The first 20 verses are a powerful and intimate time between Jesus and His disciples. Jesus gets up from the meal, and washes His disciples feet. Consider how the disciples had been arguing over who would be the greatest. This foot washing was a part of the meal, all the disciples knew it was coming. The basin of the water and the towel were present, and yet none of the disciples made a move to serve. Then the one who was the greatest gets up, wraps himself with the towel, and begins to wash their feet. Peter’s indignant “Not you Lord”, was more of a I don’t want you to do it Jesus, I want one of these other guys to do it.
In this act of foot washing are three important things for us to notice.

1. There is a theological truth expressed. People would bathe and be clean, but in the dusty roaded world of the time, their feet would almost always be dirty. The feet, having constant contact with dirt need to be cleaned more frequently. This interaction between Jesus and Peter, where Peter says not just my feet but my head and hands as well, is a picture of salvation. In coming to Christ we are completely cleansed, but in our daily “walking with Jesus life” we can pick up some contaminates along the way that require Jesus continual washing of forgiveness.

2. Jesus sets an example about what greatness looks like in the Kingdom of God. The greatest of all would be the servant of all.

3. Did you ever think about the fact that Jesus washed Judas feet, even knowing that Jesus was about to betray Him? Did Jesus treat him any differently. No, He demonstrated the same love and service to him as He did to the other disciples. What does that mean to us in the way that we are to treat people?

John 13:21-30

Judas leaves after Jesus identifies him as the one who would betray him, but the other disciples didn’t get it.

John 13:31-38

Now, alone with His true disciples, Jesus lays the foundation for relationship. “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. All men will know that you are My disciples if you love one another.” Jesus introduces a new standard to measure love. We had heard that we were to “love your neighbor as you love yourself.” But here we are told to love each other “as I have loved you.” This love is demonstrated by being selfless. It is not all about us. This selfless love will be a witness to the world that Jesus is real.

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John 12:1-50 (NIV)
1 Six days before the Passover, Jesus arrived at Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 3 Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4 But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 5 “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” 6 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. 7 “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “[It was intended] that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. 8 You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.” 9 Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, 11 for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and putting their faith in him. 12 The next day the great crowd that had come for the Feast heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. 13 They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the King of Israel!” 14 Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it, as it is written, 15 “Do not be afraid, O Daughter of Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt.” 16 At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that they had done these things to him. 17 Now the crowd that was with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to spread the word. 18 Many people, because they had heard that he had given this miraculous sign, went out to meet him. 19 So the Pharisees said to one another, “See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!” 20 Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the Feast. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus. 23 Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. 25 The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me. 27 “Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name!” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him. 30 Jesus said, “This voice was for your benefit, not mine. 31 Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. 32 But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.” 33 He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die. 34 The crowd spoke up, “We have heard from the Law that the Christ will remain forever, so how can you say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this ‘Son of Man’?” 35 Then Jesus told them, “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going. 36 Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light.” When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them. 37 Even after Jesus had done all these miraculous signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him. 38 This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet: “Lord, who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” 39 For this reason they could not believe, because, as Isaiah says elsewhere: 40 “He has blinded their eyes and deadened their hearts, so they can neither see with their eyes, nor understand with their hearts, nor turn–and I would heal them.” 41 Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus’ glory and spoke about him. 42 Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not confess their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved praise from men more than praise from God. 44 Then Jesus cried out, “When a man believes in me, he does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. 45 When he looks at me, he sees the one who sent me. 46 I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness. 47 “As for the person who hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save it. 48 There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the last day. 49 For I did not speak of my own accord, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and how to say it. 50 I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.”

As we look at John Chapter 12 it is only six days until the Passover and the crucifixion. Jesus continues in this chapter as he had in Chapters 10 and 11 to tell people that He was the Messiah, the Christ, that He was one with the Father and the religious leaders would still pursue His death rather than believe.

John 12:1-8

The preparation for Jesus death, burial, and resurrection is underway as Mary anoints Jesus with an expensive ointment. This was done as an expression of Mary’s love but it was is someway foreshadowing the expression of God’s love for us in the death and resurrection of Jesus, the most amazing expression of love ever.

John 12:9-19

These verse talk about the triumphal entry. The crowd was so excited about Jesus arrival that the Pharisees were concerned that “the whole world has gone after Him”. His entry into Jerusalem was a fulfillment of prophecy

Zechariah 9:9 (NIV)
9 Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Psalms 118:26 (NIV)
26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD. From the house of the LORD we bless you.

But excited as the crowd seemed to be, they would quickly turn. Did you ever wonder why? Jesus sudden rise in popularity was because of the miracle that had been performed in raising Lazarus from the dead. It wasn’t that the crowd was crying out Hosanna from a true faith, but they were excited about Jesus celebrity. They were curious and excited, but there enthusiasm would fade quickly, just like it does with celebrities today.

Check out the reaction of the religious leaders. They still want to kill Jesus and now they want to kill Lazarus as well. Way to keep the LAW, which was what they claimed they were doing.

John 12:20-33

Jesus is struggling with what is about to take place, but He stays firm in His commitment to lay down His life for us as the Good Shepherd.

27 “Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour.

There are some extremely important spiritual principles packed into this small section of scripture.

24 I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.

25 The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.

John 12:34-43

The crowd who had been cheering demonstrates how shallow their enthusiasm really was as they reject the words that Jesus says about Himself.

“We have heard from the Law that the Christ will remain forever, so how can You say, ‘The Son of man must be lifted up’?”

They refused to believe in and submit to Jesus as the Son of God even after seeing with their own eyes what He had done with Lazarus. And even those who did believe were afraid to say anything because they didn’t want to be kicked out of the synagogue.

John 12:44-50

Jesus gives the crowd their last chance in these verses. After a three year ministry filled with miracles it had come down to this, these were the last words He would speak to the crowds.

44 Then Jesus cried out, “When a man believes in me, he does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. 45 When he looks at me, he sees the one who sent me. 46 I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness. 47 “As for the person who hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save it. 48 There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the last day. 49 For I did not speak of my own accord, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and how to say it. 50 I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.”

What did Jesus say?

That He was revealing the Father and the Kingdom of God

If you believe in Jesus you believe in the Father

If you believe in Jesus you no longer live in darkness

If you do not believe in Jesus then you reject the eternal life that is offered by the Father

If you do not believe in Jesus you place yourself under judgment

If you accept the living Word, Jesus, you will have eternal life

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Mark 16:1-8 (NIV)
1 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. 2 Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb 3 and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?” 4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. 5 As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. 6 “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’” 8 Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.

Each of the four gospels have various differences about the Resurrection. For example, the number and names of the women who came to the tomb, the number of angelic messengers who appeared, the women’s reactions to the announcement, etc.

These difference would seem to reflect the impact the actual events of the resurrection had on the individual eyewitnesses. For example, sometimes when Alice and I are talking about things we have done, we each remember different things about the event because that is what stood out in our minds at the time.

None of the gospel writers recorded all of the events, ultimately they wrote down what would have been the most significant things to them.

Mark 16:1-8

The women go to the tomb, bringing spices and oils to finish the burial preparation that had been hurried by the Sabbath.

On the way there Mark records their practical concern about how they were going to get the stone rolled away from the entrance of the tomb.

Upon their arrival they find the stone rolled away and instead of finding the body of Jesus, they find a young man sitting there.

The young man in white robes is actually an angelic messenger who tells the women that Jesus has risen from the dead and that they need to tell and tell Peter and the disciples.

Luke and John mention the presence of two angels, the number for a valid witness, but Mark and Matthew only mention one, probably the spokesman.

The women were alarmed, (afraid) when they encounter the angel (a normal reaction, because in almost every encounter in scripture with an angel, the first thing the angel says is don’t be afraid.

The angel’s message clearly identifies the Risen One as the Crucified One, both referring to the same historical Person, and it revealed the meaning of the empty tomb. The certainty of the Resurrection rests on the angel’s message from God which people then and now are called on to believe. The historical fact of the empty tomb confirms it.

Many Biblical scholars believe that Mark concluded his Gospel at this point. This is borne out by the earliest manuscripts that have been discovered. The abrupt ending is consistent with Mark’s style and punctuates his development of the themes of fear and astonishment throughout his Gospel. The reader is left to ponder with awe the meaning of the empty tomb as interpreted by the angel’s revelatory message.

Mark 16:9-20 (NIV)
9 When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. 10 She went and told those who had been with him and who were mourning and weeping. 11 When they heard that Jesus was alive and that she had seen him, they did not believe it. 12 Afterward Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them while they were walking in the country. 13 These returned and reported it to the rest; but they did not believe them either. 14 Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen. 15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” 19 After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. 20 Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.

Mark 16:9-20

Preach the Good News and continue to do the ministry of Jesus under the power and anointing of the Holy Spirit.

The snakes and poison scriptures would probably be better translated

“And if they be compelled to pick up snakes with their hands and if they should be compelled to drink deadly poison, it shall by no means harm them.”

This does not warrant voluntary snake-handling or drinking of poison, practices not recorded as taking place as part of the ministry of the early church.

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Mark 15:1-47 (NIV)
1 Very early in the morning, the chief priests, with the elders, the teachers of the law and the whole Sanhedrin, reached a decision. They bound Jesus, led him away and handed him over to Pilate. 2 “Are you the king of the Jews?” asked Pilate. “Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied. 3 The chief priests accused him of many things. 4 So again Pilate asked him, “Aren’t you going to answer? See how many things they are accusing you of.” 5 But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed. 6 Now it was the custom at the Feast to release a prisoner whom the people requested. 7 A man called Barabbas was in prison with the insurrectionists who had committed murder in the uprising. 8 The crowd came up and asked Pilate to do for them what he usually did. 9 “Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?” asked Pilate, 10 knowing it was out of envy that the chief priests had handed Jesus over to him. 11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have Pilate release Barabbas instead. 12 “What shall I do, then, with the one you call the king of the Jews?” Pilate asked them. 13 “Crucify him!” they shouted. 14 “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!” 15 Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified. 16 The soldiers led Jesus away into the palace (that is, the Praetorium) and called together the whole company of soldiers. 17 They put a purple robe on him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him. 18 And they began to call out to him, “Hail, king of the Jews!” 19 Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff and spit on him. Falling on their knees, they paid homage to him. 20 And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him. 21 A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross. 22 They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means The Place of the Skull). 23 Then they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. 24 And they crucified him. Dividing up his clothes, they cast lots to see what each would get. 25 It was the third hour when they crucified him. 26 The written notice of the charge against him read: THE KING OF THE JEWS. 27 They crucified two robbers with him, one on his right and one on his left. 28 29 Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, 30 come down from the cross and save yourself!” 31 In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him among themselves. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! 32 Let this Christ, this King of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him. 33 At the sixth hour darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. 34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”–which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” 35 When some of those standing near heard this, they said, “Listen, he’s calling Elijah.” 36 One man ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink. “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down,” he said. 37 With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last. 38 The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. 39 And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard his cry and saw how he died, he said, Surely this man was the Son of God!” 40 Some women were watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. 41 In Galilee these women had followed him and cared for his needs. Many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem were also there. 42 It was Preparation Day (that is, the day before the Sabbath). So as evening approached, 43 Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. 44 Pilate was surprised to hear that he was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him if Jesus had already died. 45 When he learned from the centurion that it was so, he gave the body to Joseph. 46 So Joseph bought some linen cloth, took down the body, wrapped it in the linen, and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. 47 Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid.

Mark 15:1

Early in the morning Jesus is brought before the Sanhedrin. The events of this morning encounter are recorded in Luke 22:66-71, but to summarize, before the Sanhedrin, Jesus is asked again if He is the Christ, the Son of God, and when He says yes, He is found guilty of blasphemy for claiming to be God.

Mark 15:2-15

While the Jews (Sanhedrin) were granted a great deal of power in their own self government under Roman authority, they had no authority to carry out an execution. That is why Jesus is taken before Pilate. Pilate’s reluctance to order Jesus death is demonstrated in each of the Gospel accounts, but bending to the will of the crowd he ultimately hands Jesus over to be crucified.

Mark 15:16-23
Jesus is mocked and beaten by the Roman soldiers.
Mark 15:24-32
Crucifixion was a slow torturous form of execution that was used for the worst of criminals. No Roman citizen could be executed this way.
Crucifixions often lasted for days of agony where ultimately death resulted in a lack of blood circulating to the brain and heart.
Mark 15:33-41
Jesus spent 6 agonizing hours on the cross, after which He cried out, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” Jesus crying out is not about His physical torment, it is at this moment when Jesus is made sin for us.

2 Corinthians 5:21 (NIV)
21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

At that moment, for the first and only time, the Father turned away from the Son, and Jesus experienced the full meaning of the alienation from God that sin must always cause. A moment later, the work of redemption done, Jesus “breathed His last” and then “the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.”

The curtain separated the holy of holies (an inner room that could only be entered by the high priest once a year who would bring in sacrificial blood) from the rest of the temple. It was a picture of how our sin separated us from God, but now by Jesus work on the cross the way to God was available to everyone.
Mark 15:42-46
Jesus is buried before sundown when the Sabbath was to begin.

Did you ever wonder what Jesus followers must have been feeling at that moment? He was gone. Jesus was really gone.

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Mark 14:1-72 (NIV)
1 Now the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread were only two days away, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some sly way to arrest Jesus and kill him. 2 “But not during the Feast,” they said, “or the people may riot.” 3 While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head. 4 Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? 5 It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly. 6 “Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 7 The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. 8 She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. 9 I tell you the truth, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” 10 Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. 11 They were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money. So he watched for an opportunity to hand him over. 12 On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, when it was customary to sacrifice the Passover lamb, Jesus’ disciples asked him, “Where do you want us to go and make preparations for you to eat the Passover?” 13 So he sent two of his disciples, telling them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. 14 Say to the owner of the house he enters, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover 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 Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover. 17 When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve. 18 While they were reclining at the table eating, he said, “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me–one who is eating with me.” 19 They were saddened, and one by one they said to him, “Surely not I?” 20 “It is one of the Twelve,” he replied, “one who dips bread into the bowl with me. 21 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.” 22 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take it; this is my body.” 23 Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, and they all drank from it. 24 “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them. 25 “I tell you the truth, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it anew in the kingdom of God.” 26 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. 27 “You will all fall away,” Jesus told them, “for it is written: “‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’ 28 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” 29 Peter declared, “Even if all fall away, I will not.” 30 “I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “today–yes, tonight–before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times.” 31 But Peter insisted emphatically, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the others said the same. 32 They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33 He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. 34 “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.” 35 Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. 36 “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” 37 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Simon,” he said to Peter, “are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? 38 Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” 39 Once more he went away and prayed the same thing. 40 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to him. 41 Returning the third time, he said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!” 43 Just as he was speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared. With him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders. 44 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.” 45 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Rabbi!” and kissed him. 46 The men seized Jesus and arrested him. 47 Then one of those standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. 48 “Am I leading a rebellion,” said Jesus, “that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? 49 Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.” 50 Then everyone deserted him and fled. 51 A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him, 52 he fled naked, leaving his garment behind. 53 They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, elders and teachers of the law came together. 54 Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. There he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire. 55 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any. 56 Many testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree. 57 Then some stood up and gave this false testimony against him: 58 “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this man-made temple and in three days will build another, not made by man.’” 59 Yet even then their testimony did not agree. 60 Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” 61 But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?” 62 “I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” 63 The high priest tore his clothes. “Why do we need any more witnesses?” he asked. 64 “You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?” They all condemned him as worthy of death. 65 Then some began to spit at him; they blindfolded him, struck him with their fists, and said, “Prophesy!” And the guards took him and beat him. 66 While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came by. 67 When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him. “You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,” she said. 68 But he denied it. “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about,” he said, and went out into the entryway. 69 When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, “This fellow is one of them.” 70 Again he denied it. After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.” 71 He began to call down curses on himself, and he swore to them, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about.” 72 Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times.” And he broke down and wept.

Mark 14:1-11
Tuesday and Wednesday
In these first few verses we see Jesus spending his final days with friends in Bethany. While there, He was anointed by a woman who poured expensive perfume on His head. Jesus said her action was a beautiful thing that expresses her love for Him in a very giving way. By contrast, Judas betrays Jesus for the promise of money.

The woman gave because of her love of the Lord, Jesus betrayed because of his love for money.

Thursday
Mark 14:12-26

The Passover meal is held by Jesus and His disciples in a room in a house in Jerusalem’s upper city. When we study John’s gospel we will see the events of the Passover meal recorded in great detail. In Mark’s gospel, we get kind of a quick overview with the central point being Judas betrayal.

Remember the Jewish tradition of a potential groom becoming engaged to his bride. The symbol of the glass of wine being drank from by the potential bride, was a yes. This part of the Passover meal was an acceptance by the disciples (representing the church) of the proposal of the bride groom Jesus. He would then go and prepare a place for us and will come and get us when the Father says the time is right.

Mark 14:27-31

Jesus tell His disciples that they will all leave Him and that Peter will in fact deny Him three times.

Mark 14:32-42

Now, late at night, Jesus was overwhelmed with sorrow, and His friends are too tired to stay awake with Him. Jesus wakes them up as the sounds of a mob can be heard coming up the hill.

Mark 14:43-52

Jesus is arrested and seized by the mob after Judas identifies Him with a kiss. In the other gospel accounts the sword wielder who cuts off the ear is identified as Peter, and in another Gospel we are told that Jesus heals the man’s ear.

Mark 14:55-65

The mock trial begins and the false witnesses can’t get their stories together.
Finally Jesus was asked , “Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?” to which Jesus answered, “I am.” To the religious leaders this was blasphemy. Jesus had claimed to be God. The penalty for blasphemy was death.

Mark 14:66-72

Peter denies Jesus three times and then the rooster crows. Peter remembers what Jesus had said and he broke down and wept. (Jesus makes a point of restoring Peter in John 21:15-17)

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Mark 13:1-37 (NIV)
1 As he was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!” 2 “Do you see all these great buildings?” replied Jesus. “Not one stone here will be left on another; every one 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 about to be fulfilled?” 5 Jesus said to them: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 6 Many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and will deceive many. 7 When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 8 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. 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 synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them. 10 And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. 11 Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit. 12 “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 13 All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14 “When you see ‘the abomination that causes desolation’ standing where it does not belong–let the reader understand–then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 15 Let no one on the roof of his house go down or enter the house to take anything out. 16 Let no one in the field go back to get his cloak. 17 How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! 18 Pray that this will not take place in winter, 19 because those will be days of distress unequaled from the beginning, when God created the world, until now–and never to be equaled again. 20 If the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would survive. But for the sake of the elect, whom he has chosen, he has shortened them. 21 At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it. 22 For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect–if that were possible. 23 So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time. 24 “But in those days, following that distress, “‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; 25 the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’ 26 “At that time men will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27 And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens. 28 “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. 29 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door. 30 I tell you 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. 32 “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. 34 It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, 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. 37 What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’”

Mark 13 contains warnings from Jesus about terrible events that will be part of the human experience while He is away.

These events will include the events prophesied in the Book of Daniel and will culminate with the second coming of Christ.

We need to have a quick discussion about “this generation not passing away”. Generation can mean those currently living. It can also mean a family or national line. Prophecies often have an immediate fulfillment and then another in the future. For example, the temple was destroyed in AD 70 which was the immediate fulfillment of the prophecy in the lifetime of that generation. And yet there is also a future fulfillment of that prophecy coming.

What happened to the Jewish people after the destruction of the temple in AD 70. They were scattered throughout the world with no homeland to call their own, and yet they survived and maintained their separate national or family line. They have not passed away.

What about those who have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior in this Now and Not Yet time. We are to be on alert, on guard. For what? To not fall into the same traps that the Pharisees did. We are to be those who worship God in Spirit and Truth and to be busy with our assigned task of telling the world the Good News. Come Lord Jesus.

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