Part 7 (1/2)
Heaven and earth shall pa.s.s away, but my words shall not pa.s.s away.
And watch yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with self-indulgence, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that day comes and you are unaware and unprepared. For, as a snare, it shall come on all who dwell on the face of the earth. Watch, therefore, and pray always, so you may be counted worthy to escape these things that shall come to pa.s.s, and to stand before the Son of man.
During the day Jesus taught in the temple. At night He went out of the city and abode in the mount called the mount of Olives. People came to the temple early in the morning to hear Him.
22 The feast of unleavened bread, which is called the Pa.s.sover, was near. The chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill Him; for they feared the people. Then Satan entered into Judas Iscariot who was one of the twelve. He approached the chief priests and captains and said he was willing to betray Jesus to them. They were glad and agreed to give him money. He gave a promise and then sought an opportunity to betray Him.
Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the pa.s.sover must be killed. Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare the pa.s.sover that we may eat. They said to Him, Where do you want us to go to prepare? Jesus said, When you enter the city, a man, bearing a pitcher of water, will meet you, follow him into the house he enters. Say to the good man of the house, The Master says to thee, Where is the guestchamber where I shall eat the pa.s.sover with my disciples? He shall show you a large furnished upper room. Prepare everything there.
They went and found everything as He said to them. And there they prepared the pa.s.sover.
When the hour came, Jesus sat down with the twelve apostles. He said to them, I have looked forward to sharing this pa.s.sover with you before I suffer, for I tell you, I will not eat again until the kingdom of G.o.d is fulfilled. He took a cup, gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves, for I tell you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of G.o.d comes.
Then He took bread, and gave thanks, and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me. Likewise, after supper, He took a cup, saying, This cup is the new testament, my blood which is shed for you.
But, behold, the hand of him that betrays me is with me at the table.
The Son of man goes as it was determined, but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed! They began to enquire among themselves, which of them it was that could do this thing. There was also a strife among them about which of them should be counted the greatest.
Jesus said, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lords.h.i.+p over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. But, among you this shall not be so for he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, let him be as he that serves. Which is greater, he that sits at the table or he that serves?
Is it not he that sits at the table? Yet I am among you as He that serves.
You are the ones who have stood by me in my temptations. I appoint to you a kingdom, as my Father has appointed to me, so you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
The Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith would not fail. When you are converted, strengthen your brothers. Peter said, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death. And Jesus said, I tell you, Peter, the c.o.c.k shall not crow this day before you shall three times deny that you know me.
Then He said to them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, did you lack anything? And they said, Nothing. Then He said, But now, he that has a purse let him take it, and likewise, his scrip, and he that has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one. For I say to you, this that is written must yet be accomplished in me: He was reckoned among the transgressors.
The things concerning me have an end. They said to Him, Lord, look, here are two swords. And Jesus said to them, It is enough. He went out and up into the mount of Olives; and His disciples followed Him.
At a certain spot He said to them, Pray that you do not enter into temptation. He withdrew, about a stone's cast, and knelt down, and prayed, saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me; nevertheless, not my will, but thine be done.
There appeared an angel from heaven to strengthen Him because He was in agony. He prayed more earnestly, and His sweat was like great drops of blood falling on the ground. When He rose up from prayer and returned to His disciples, He found them sleeping. Jesus said to them, Why sleep? Rise and pray lest you enter into temptation.
And while He yet spoke, a crowd appeared, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them and drew near to Jesus to kiss Him. But Jesus said to him, Judas, do you betray the Son of man with a kiss?
When the disciples saw what was going to happen, they said to Him, Lord, shall we strike with the sword? And one of them smote the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus said, Enough. No more of this. He touched the servant's ear and healed him.
Then Jesus said to the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders in the crowd, Why do you come out armed with staves and swords as against a thief when I was daily with you in the temple and you could have stretched forth your hands against me? But this is your hour, and the power of darkness. Then they took Him, and led Him into the high priest's house.
Peter followed from afar. As they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall and warmed themselves, Peter sat down among them. But a certain maid noticed him. She looked closely at him and said, This man was also with Him. Peter denied Him, saying, Woman, I know Him not.
After a little while another saw him and said, Thou art one of them.
Peter said, No, I am not.
About an hour later, another person said, Of a truth, this fellow was with Him for he is a Galilaean. Peter said, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he was still speaking, the c.o.c.k crowed.
The Lord turned and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He said to him, Before the c.o.c.k crows, thou shalt deny me three times. Peter went out and wept bitterly.
The men that held Jesus mocked Him, and smote Him. and when they had blindfolded Him, they struck Him in the face, and said, Prophesy, who is it that smote thee? And they said many other blasphemies against Him.
As soon as it was day, the elders and the chief priests and scribes came together. They led Him into their council, saying, Art thou the Christ? Tell us. Jesus said, If I tell you, you will not believe, and if I also ask you, you will not answer me or let me go. Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of G.o.d. Then they all said, Art thou then the Son of G.o.d? And He said to them, Ye say that I am. Then they said, What need we of any further witness? We ourselves have heard it from His own mouth.