Sequence in Chronology: 23 of 26
Topics Covered: The disciples prepare for the last Passover, location of apostles during ceremony, historical linkage to Jesus, the Lord establishes the New Covenant symbols of foot washing, eating unleavened bread and drinking wine.
The disciples argue over who is the greatest after which they are told they will all abandon Jesus, Peter's protest that he will not forsake the Lord leads to prophecy he will deny him three times.
The last Passover completes after Jesus gives final instructions, the group leaves for Mount of Olives, at the garden of Gethsemane the Lord prays and waits for his arrest.
Bible References: Matthew 26:17 - 44, Mark 14:12 - 40, Luke 22:7 - 46, John 13:1 - 38, 14:1 - 31, 15:1 - 27, 16:1 - 33, 17:1 - 26, 1Corinthians 11:23 - 29.
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April 4
(Tuesday)
Preparing for Passover
The disciples prepare for Jesus' last Passover.
Now on the first of the unleaveneds, the disciples came to Jesus, saying to Him, "Where do You desire that we prepare for You to eat the Passover?" And He said, "Go into the city to such a man, and say to him, 'The Teacher says, "My time is near; I will keep the Passover with My disciples at your house." ' "
Then the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and prepared the Passover. (Matthew 26:17 - 19, see also Mark 14:12 - 16 and Luke 22:7 - 13).
At sunset, at the start of Nisan 14, Jesus and his disciples observe Passover (Matthew 26, Mark 14, Luke 22, John 13).
Where Did They Sit?
Although the Bible does not directly state the seating arrangement for this last Passover, we can make a good guess where Judas, Jesus, Peter and John sat.
Judas sat to the left of Jesus, in the place designated for the most honored guest. Judas likely felt he deserved to be the honored guest and quickly claimed the choice position (Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah, Book 5, Chapter 10). Judas' closeness to Christ would allow the "sop" to be passed to him without drawing the attention of the other disciples.
Peter sat across the table from John as he had to get John's attention in order to request that he ask Christ to identify his betrayer (John 13:21, 23 - 24). John sat to the right of Jesus as this allowed him to lean on Christ's breast to ask him, privately, about the betrayer (John 13:25 - 26).
Linkage
The Passover is linked to Jesus' life and ministry five out of six times the New Testament mentions the ceremony. These occurrences are, in chronological order, Luke 2:41 - 42, John 2:13 - 15, Luke 6:1 - 5, John 6:4 - 5 and John 13.
Keeping the Passover
Jesus institutes the New Testament foot washing ceremony that he commands all those who follow him practice every time they commemorate his death on Passover (John 13:2 - 17).
Jesus then dips the "sop" and gives it to Judas, immediately after which Satan the devil possesses him. The "sop" was a sign to John that it was Judas who would betray him.
And as they were eating, He said, "Truly I say to you, one of you shall betray Me . . . He who dipped his hand with Me in the dish, he shall betray Me.
Then Judas, who was betraying Him, answered and said, "Am I the one, Master?" He said to him, "You have said it." (Matthew 26:21, 23, 25, see also Mark 14:18 - 21, Luke 22:21 - 23, John 13:18 - 26).
Unleavened Bread and Wine
Jesus institutes the taking of a small piece of unleavened bread during the Christian Passover which represents his broken body. He lastly institutes the taking of a small amount of wine during the service which represents his blood freely shed to make the New Covenant possible.
And as they were eating, Jesus took the bread and blessed it; then He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, "Take, eat; this is My body."
And He took the cup; and after giving thanks, He gave it to them, saying, "All of you drink of it; For this is My blood, the blood of the New Covenant, which is poured out for many for the remission of sins. (Matthew 26:26 - 29, see also Mark 14:22 - 25, Luke 22:17 - 20, 1Corinthians 11:23 - 29).
A Fight Erupts!
Amazingly, on this incredible night, the disciples begin to fight amongst themselves as to who would be the greatest in God's Kingdom! Jesus informs them, in no uncertain terms, that any hierarchy of power or control will not be tolerated in the church he will build. His believers must serve others, as he has, with selfless humility (Luke 22:24 - 28).
The kings of the nations lord over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called benefactors. But it shall not be this way among you . . . For who is greater, the one who is sitting at the table, or the one who is serving? Is not the one who sits at the table? But I am among you as One Who is serving (Luke 22:25 - 27).
A New Commandment
Jesus then gives his disciples a new commandment.
"A new commandment I give to you: that you love one another in the same way that I have loved you, that is how you are to love one another. By this shall everyone know that you are My disciples - if you love one another." (John 13:34 - 35).
Fulfilling Prophecy
Jesus then warns his disciples that they will soon all abandon him in fulfillment of prophecy.
Then Jesus said to them, "All of you shall be offended in Me during this night; for it is written, 'I will smite the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.'" (Matthew 26:31, see also Mark 14:27 - 28, Luke 22:31 - 32).
Peter impulsively protests and declares that even if all others leave him he will not. Jesus then gives the chilling prediction that Peter will soon deny him three times.
Peter said to Him, "Why can't I follow You now? I will lay down my life for You." Jesus answered him, "You will lay down your life for Me? Truly, truly I tell you, the cock shall not crow until you have denied Me three times." (John 13:37 - 38, see also Matthew 26:33 - 35, Mark 14:29 - 31 and Luke 22:33 - 34).
A Final Message
Jesus then launches into his final message to his disciples before they leave for the Mount of Olives (John 14:1 - 27). He sums up his message with the following words.
"I will not speak with you much longer because the ruler of this world is coming; but he does not have a single thing in Me. Yet he comes so that the world may know that I love the Father, and that I do exactly as the Father has commanded Me. Arise, let us go out." (John 14:30 - 31).
The Lord, after some final instructions, verifies the disciples have two swords so that the scriptures are fulfilled (Luke 22:35 - 38). They group sings a hymn and leave their meeting place to walk to the Mount of Olives (Matthew 26:30, Mark 14:26).
Waiting to be Arrested
At roughly 9 p.m., while walking to the Garden of Gethsemane (at the foot of the Mount of Olives), Jesus teaches his disciples that he is the True Vine (John 15:1 - 27). He then offers his final words of encouragement (16:1 - 31) and again states that the disciples will leave him (verses 32 - 33).
After the group arrives at Gethsemane Jesus selects Peter, James and John to stand watch while he prays (Matthew 26:36 - 38, Mark 14:32 - 34, Luke 22:39 - 40).
Jesus' disciples, though asked to stay awake while he prays, quickly fall asleep. Peter is then warned to stay awake lest his fall into temptation (Matthew 26:40 - 41, Mark 14:37 - 38). Although the Lord initially prays that the "cup" of suffering and God's rejection be taken away from him, he defers to do God's will.
Then He said to them, "My soul is deeply grieved, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me." And after going forward a little, He fell on His face, praying, and saying, "My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will . . ." (Matthew 26:38 - 39).
His intense prayer leads to God sending him an angel to strengthen him (Luke 22:43). He then prayers even harder with sweat falling off of him like drops of blood (verse 44). Returning to the disciples he finds they are still asleep. He then prays a third time to God (Matthew 26:44).
Last Prayer Before Arrest
John 17:1 - 26 records Jesus' last prayer before his arrest takes place around 12:30 a.m.
Jesus spoke these words, and lifted up His eyes to heaven and said, "Father, the hour has come; glorify Your own Son, so that Your Son may also glorify You; Since You have given Him authority over all flesh, in order that He may give eternal life to all whom You have given Him." . . .
"Even as You did send Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, so that they also may be sanctified in Your truth.
"I do not pray for these only, but also for those who shall believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, even as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, in order that the world may believe that You did send Me." . . .
"Righteous Father, the world has not known You; but I have known You, and these have known that You did send Me. And I have made known Your name to them, and will make it known; so that the love with which You have loved Me may be in them, and I in them." (John 17:1 - 2, 18 - 21, 25 - 26).