Good Friday. Looking At The Cross From 3 Disciples Perspective Series

We live in a world where everything is instant, where trends only last for a while. What was famous a month ago is not popular anymore.

So what happens in easter is that we tend to say it does not trend anymore because we heard it so so so many times. We know Jesus was betrayed, we know Jesus was crucified, and we know that He has risen again after three days. It is a well-known story. But the problem is that we hear it so often that we think we understand it. But do we believe it is still relevant today, and if there is one thing that trends every year, it is easter? The story does not change, but how we can learn from it.

This is the Easter story, a tale not of mere historical significance but of living, breathing importance to our lives today. Hebrews 13:8 underscores this timeless relevance, reminding us that "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."

So today, I want to look at Easter's story. I want to return to the Last Supper and look at the three disciples and their interaction with Jesus. Today, I want to show you how the cross relates to their lives and shows us, more importantly, how it is central to our faith.

So, I want to set the scene for you today. I would like you to put yourself in the shoes of the disciples. As we gather today to reflect on the profound mystery and deep significance of the Last Supper, let us transport our hearts and minds back to a small, dimly lit upper room in Jerusalem over two thousand years ago. Here, in this humble setting, we find Jesus and His twelve disciples sharing their final meal together before Jesus' crucifixion. This evening, rich in symbolism and heavy with emotion, marks not just a moment of fellowship but a turning point in the history of our faith.

In this room, Jesus, fully aware of the agony that awaits Him, chooses to spend His last hours in intimate communion with His friends. He washes their feet in a stunning act of humility and service, breaking bread and sharing wine as symbols of His body and blood, given up for many. It is a moment that encapsulates the essence of Jesus' mission—love, sacrifice, and the inauguration of a new covenant between God and humanity.

Imagine the air, filled with anticipation and uncertainty, as the disciples navigate through a maze of emotions. They are at once curious, confused, anxious, and deeply devoted. They sit with the one who calls them each by name, performs miracles before their eyes, and teaches them with authority no one else possesses. Yet, on this night, their hearts are heavy, for there is talk of betrayal, leaving, and a sacrifice too profound for them to fully grasp.

Just a few days earlier, Jesus was like a victor; they shouted Hosanna, praising him. So now, imagine sitting at this table and there, for there is talk of betrayal, of leaving, and of a sacrifice. I wanted to ask you to imagine that and how it might have felt for these disciples. That from victory to this, and they could not even fathom what would happen next, where we are fortunate to have hindsight into what happened and why it needed to happen. They cannot comprehend it.

So, I want to look at three disciples today, and no, Judas is not one of them. For me, seriously, people have spoken about him so much every year at easter that this year I want to skip him, but I want to look at three different disciples and how the cross has a different aspect because of who they were but also how the cross is the centre point of our faith.

PETER

So, the first disciple I want to look at is Peter. Peter, Peter. So Peyer. He was a fisherman by trade and was one of the first disciples called by Jesus. He was known for his boldness and for doing things without thinking it through, like cutting off ears. Peter took a leadership role. Jesus named him Peter, which meant Rock. He was quick to speak and quick to act. So here at the last supper, when Jesus met with them. We see this happening between Peter and Jesus Luke 22:33-34 (HCSB) Lord,” he told Him, “I’m ready to go with You both to prison and to death!” 34 “I tell you, Peter,” He said, “the rooster will not crow today until you deny three times that you know Me!”

Here we see Peter saying that he will follow Jesus to the end of the earth and that even in death, he will be with Jesus, but Jesus knew that Peter would need the cross because he already knew he would betray him three times; this prophecy came true as Peter was overwhelmed with fear and confusion and he denied Jesus 3 times.