Thursday of Passion Week

The Passover, Betrayal of Jesus, and First Trial

Jesus would celebrate the Passover with His disciples in the upper room; then the group moves to the garden of Gethsemane where Jesus agonizes in prayer until the time of His betrayal, arrest, and first trial. 

The Passover Meal
Now on the first day of unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Where will you have us prepare for you to eat the Passover?" He said, "Go into the city to a certain man and say to him, The Teacher says, " My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples." And the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover. (Matthew 26: 17-19 ESV) In these verses Jesus called himself "Teacher". Jesus always found occasion to teach His disciples and those who read God's Word how to live a life pleasing to Him. Mark (14:13) and Luke (22:10), describe the man as "carrying a jar of water" which would be reserved as women's work, so the disciples would be able to identify the man. He may have been a servant of the house with an upper room where they would share the Passover meal (Luke 22:12 and Mark 14;15).

Jesus Knows of His Betrayal
When it was evening, he reclined at table with the twelve. and as they were eating, he said, "Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me." (Matthew 26;20:21 ESV) Jesus evidently made these arrangements clandestinely, secretly, in order to prevent his premature arrest. Had Judas know where Jesus would celebrate the Passover, he would had alerted the chief priests and elders. Jesus Himself was sovereignly in control of the details of his own crucifixion. 

The Lord's Supper
It is here in the upper room that Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper. As Christians, we observe this ordinance as commemoration of His atonement for our sin. Jesus established the truth of the New Covenant while in the midst of the Passover meal. The bread symbolises Jesus' body, the cup symbolises his blood that was shed for forgiveness of sin for those whom would believe in Him. (Matthew 14:22-25 ESV)

Jesus Foretells of Peter's Denial
After Jesus had shared the Passover meal with his disciples and singing hymns, they went to the Mount of Olives were Jesus had told them they would all fall away because of that night. For it is written, I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered. But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee. (Matthew 26:30-32) It is here that Jesus told Peter that "This very night before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times." And it is here that Peter said, "Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!"  ​(Matthew 26:34-35) However, Jesus said he would go before them to Galilee. This was a promise!

Jesus Prays in Agony
Then Jesus went to the garden of Gethsemane and his disciples followed. Jesus knelt down and prayed to the Father "If you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will but yours, be done. And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground." Luke 22:41-44) 

Judas Signals the Chief Priests and Pharisees
While Jesus was still speaking, there came a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss him, but Jesus said to him, "Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?" (Matthew 22:47-48)

Peter Denies Jesus Three Times
Then they seized him and led him away bringing him to the high priest's house and Peter was following at a distance. (Matthew 22: 54) Three times Peter would be recognized and accused as being one of Jesus' disciples, each time Peter denied even knowing him. Peter said, "Man, I do not know what you are talking about." And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. and the Lord turned and looked at Peter. and Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, "Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times." And he went out and wept bitterly. (Matthew 22:60-62)

Jesus is Mocked
Now the men who were holding Jesus in custody were mocking him as they beat him. They also blindfolded him and kept asking him, "Prophesy! Who is it that struck you?" And they said many other things against him, blaspheming him. (Matthew 22:63:65)

Jesus First Trial
When the day came, the assembly of the elders of the people gathered together, both chief priests and scribes. and they led him away to their council, and they said, "If you are the Christ, tell us." But he said to them, If I tell you, you will not believe, and if I ask you, you will not answer. But from now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God." So they all said, Are you the Son of God, then?" And he said to them, "You say that I am" Then they said, "What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips." (Matthew 22:66-71 ESV)

Jesus will be sent before Pilate and Herod.