A. If you know me very well, then you know that I like to laugh and joke.
1. This Friday is April Fools Day, so I thought I might share a few April Fools’ funnies.
2. I heard about guy who years ago swapped the price labels on the pumps at the gas station? It was an April Fuel’s joke.
3. I heard about an April Fools’ joke played on a CEO of a large bank.
a. He almost fainted when he entered the office one morning and all 12 of the ladies who worked in the office had come to work wearing maternity dresses.
b. The thought of replacing all those women during their maternity leaves had him tottering, but then all the women shouted, “April Fools’!”
4. To all the men listening today, here’s a word to the wise: April Fools’ Day is not the best day to make a marriage proposal. “Will you marry me? April Fools’!” Not good!!
B. Today, as we continue our sermon series on the last week of the earthly life of Jesus, we come to Thursday and we will discover that Thursday was filled with surprises.
1. I chose the word “surprises,” but some of them were more like bomb shells or gut punches.
2. I’m sure that after some of them, the disciples wished Jesus would have said, “April Fools’!”
3. It was Thursday: T-Minus 1 day until the crucifixion and T-Minus 3 days until the resurrection.
4. Thus far in our series, we have witnessed Jesus entering Jerusalem on that Sunday on the back of a donkey and was greeted with songs of praise from the Passover crowds entering Jerusalem.
a. On Monday, Jesus came into Jerusalem and cursed the fig tree and cleansed the temple.
b. On Tuesday, Jesus taught on many subjects and answered many questions trying to open closed minds and penetrate calloused hearts.
c. On Wednesday there was the examples of an extravagant giver and a ruthless taker.
C. Fasten your seatbelts, we are going to move fast, because we have a lot to explore today.
1. That Thursday in the last week of Jesus’ earthly life was the first day of the week-long Jewish feast called the Feast of Unleavened Bread.
2. At some point during that Thursday, Jesus’ disciples asked Jesus where He wanted them to make preparations for Jesus to eat the Passover.
3. Mark records what took place with these words: 12 On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrifice the Passover lamb, his disciples asked him, “Where do you want us to go and prepare the Passover so that you may eat it?” 13 So he sent two of his disciples and told them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. 14 Wherever he enters, tell the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher says, “Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?”’ 15 He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make the preparations for us there.” 16 So the disciples went out, entered the city, and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover. (Mk. 14:12-16)
4. We notice that Jesus had made previous arrangements for the Passover in that upper room, just as He had made arrangements for the donkey used for the Triumphal Entry on that Sunday.
5. Mark and Luke point out that the man carrying the jar of water would “meet them,” and then they would follow him to the house and the owner of the house would show them room that was all ready for them and the supper.
6. Luke tells us that the disciples who were sent on this mission were Peter and John (Lk. 22:7).
7. Many scholars believe that the home where this took place was the family home of John Mark – the man who would become a missionary partner of Paul and the author of Gospel of Mark.
D. Mark continues: 17 When evening came, he arrived with the Twelve. (Mk. 14:17)
1. Matthew and Luke point out that Jesus reclined at the table with His apostles.
2. They were there to participate in a traditional Passover meal – this was the meal that the Jews had been celebrating every year since the Exodus from Egypt (1500 years of celebrating).
3. Jesus and His disciples gathered around the table according to the cultural practice of the day.
4. The most famous painting of the Last Supper was done by Leonardo da Vinci around 1495, and in many respects, he didn’t do us any favors with his rendition.
a. da Vinci showed that they were all on one side of a table with Jesus in the middle, and some were standing and some were sitting on chairs.
b. This made for a good painting, but it wasn’t the way it happened.
c. The traditional Jewish table was about 15 to 18 inches tall (our tables are 28 to 30 inches).
d. The table would have been surrounded by cushions upon which the guests reclined.
5. Notice the diagram on the screen that shows the traditional seating around the Passover table.
a. The host of the dinner would occupy the second position from the end on the left.
b. The youngest person present would occupy the position immediately to the right of the host; he needed to be close to the host to ask the traditional questions during the ceremony.
c. The “chief guest” would be seated to the host’s left.
d. After the “chief guest,” the other participants would occupy the remaining positions going from the “chief guest’s left in order of importance all the way around the table.
e. The person of least importance would be at the furthest seat around the table.
f. Jesus was the host, John was the youngest, so he was to Jesus’ right and the Biblical record shows Judas was seated in the chief position and Peter was in the lowest position.
g. Judas was perhaps the only one presumptuous enough to take the chief seat.
h. Luke tells us that during the meal a dispute arouse about which of them was the greatest, which lead to Jesus saying, “whoever is greatest among you should become like the youngest, and whoever leads, like the one serving. For who is greater, the one at the table or the one serving? Isn’t it the one at the table? But I am among you as the one who serves.” (Luke 22:26-28)
E. John tells us that Jesus then gave a surprise demonstration of that very truth.
1. John wrote: 2 Now when it was time for supper, the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas, Simon Iscariot’s son, to betray him. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had given everything into his hands, that he had come from God, and that he was going back to God. 4 So he got up from supper, laid aside his outer clothing, took a towel, and tied it around himself. 5 Next, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet and to dry them with the towel tied around him. (Jn. 13:2-5)
2. Washing the feet of guests in a Jewish home was a common custom in Jesus’s day.
a. It was needed for hygiene, but was also a means of showing hospitality and honor.
b. The task was always performed by one of the household servants, never by the master.
c. So it was shocking that Jesus their teacher and their Messiah was the one to take the place of the servant and to be the one who washed their dirty feet.
3. Let me give you an illustration for comparison: Imagine you were invited to dine with the President at the White House, or invited to dinner at the home of your favorite celebrity.
a. Then beyond being just surprised by the invitation, imagine that when you arrive for dinner, the President or the celebrity meets you at their door wearing a cook’s apron.
b. They seat you in the living room and then begin serving you with a tray of hors d'oeuvres.
c. How comfortable would you be if you were served by someone so famous or important?
4. Perhaps that helps us imagine how uncomfortable the apostles must have felt when Jesus began to wash their feet and perhaps that’s why Peter reacted like he did?
a. When Jesus came to Peter to wash his feet, Peter declared, “You will never wash my feet!”
b. Jesus replied, “Okay, but if I don’t wash your feet, you have no part of me.”
c. The idea of being disowned by Jesus was even more unacceptable to Peter than having Jesus wash his feet, so he went to the opposite extreme - “Then wash my whole body!”
5. Jesus said that wasn’t necessary, and Jesus proceeded to wash Peter’s feet, and all the apostles’ feet, including Judas’ feet, the man who had already agreed to betray Him, and Jesus knew it.
6. Jesus went on to teach them about following His example by lovingly serving each other.
F. But washing their feet wasn’t the only surprising thing Jesus did at that meal.
1. Jesus surprised them when He suddenly announced: “But the Scripture must be fulfilled: ‘The one who eats my bread has raised 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… 21 When Jesus had said this, he was troubled in his spirit and testified, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.” (Jn. 13:18-19, 21)
2. All the disciples were shocked and looked at each other wide-eyed in disbelief – it wasn’t obvious to them who could be the betrayer – they had been with each other for three years.
3. Peter motioned to John, who was next to Jesus, to ask Jesus who the betrayer was.
4. Jesus announced, “He’s the one I give the piece of bread to after I have dipped it” and Jesus dipped the bread and gave it to Judas.
5. John reports that after Judas ate the bread, Satan entered him, and Jesus told him, “What you are doing, do quickly.” (Jn. 13:27)
6. Judas left immediately, but the other apostles didn’t understand what all that meant.
7. This must have been so unsettling to them. “What just happened? Was Jesus joking?”
G. After Judas left, Jesus proceeded with the rest of the Passover meal.
1. During the traditional Passover meal, there were several times in the meal when the bread was broken and there was four times when they drank from the cup of wine.
2. Jesus likely instituted the Lord’s supper when the bread was broken just before the 3rd cup.
3. As we know so well, the bread represented Jesus’ body, and the fruit of the vine represented His blood – His body and blood would be given on the cross in a matter of hours, but they surely didn’t grasp that reality at that point.
4. The Passover celebration concluded with the 4th and final cup, after which some or all of Psalms 115 through 118 were sung.
5. Matthew and Mark tell us that after they sung a hymn they went to the Mount of Olives.
H. It appears that as they made their way out of the city, across the Kidron Valley, and up the Mount of Olives, that Jesus taught them along the way.
1. John gives us three chapters of Jesus’ teachings during that journey in John 14-16.
2. John also shares Jesus’ beautiful prayer in John 17 where He prays for Himself, He prays for those disciples, and then He prays for us – all those who will believe through their testimony.
I. At some point in that journey to the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives, Jesus made another surprising statement: “Tonight all of you will fall away because of me, for it is written: I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.” (Mt. 26:31)
1. Can you imagine their reaction? They must have been thinking, “You must be kidding!”
2. Just like always, the over-confident and impetuous Peter spoke up: “Even if everyone falls away because of you, I will never fall away.” (Mt. 26:33)
3. Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, tonight, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” (Mt. 26:34)
4. Peter countered with even stronger words: “Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you” and all the disciples said the same thing. (Mt. 26:35)
5. In Luke’s account, Jesus also said, “Simon, Simon, look out. Satan has asked to sift you like wheat. But I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And you, when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” (Lk. 22:31)
6. The gut punches must have hit hard: Judas would betray Him, Peter would deny Him, and all of them would desert Him – that can’t be!
J. Then they arrived at the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives.
1. To the east of Jerusalem, across he Kidron Valley, lay the Mount of Olives which had been a favorite place for Jesus to visit when in and around the city.
a. It took about 30 minutes to get to the Mount of Olives from the southwestern section of Jerusalem where the upper room was located.
b. It was on this mount earlier in the week that Jesus had told His disciples about the upcoming destruction of Jerusalem and the signs to look for in order to flee the city.
c. It was from this mount that some 40 days later that Jesus would ascend to heaven.
2. The Garden of Gethsemane was a private garden filled with olive trees owned by a merchant in the olive business, who may have been a disciple or was at least sympathetic toward Jesus.
a. Today, four sites compete for the distinction of the real Garden of Gethsemane, and all are in virtually the same area, so there is little doubt about the general location of the garden.
b. From its vantage point about halfway up the Mount of Olives, the Garden of Gethsemane has a clear view across the Kidron Valley to the city of Jerusalem.
c. It would be impossible for anyone to leave the city and cross the valley without being seen from the garden, especially at night if they carried lighted torches, like Judas and the mob with him did.
3. Now, as midnight drew near, Jesus came here with 11 of the apostles to wait for the arrival of Judas along with the mob who would arrest Jesus.
a. While they had still been in the upper room and while they had made their way to the garden, Jesus had prepared His disciples for the drama that was about to take place.
b. The cross was now only about 9 hours away and Satan would have his moment of victory, and Jesus knew how difficult this would be for His disciples.
c. So, he had told them that Judas would betray Him, Peter would deny Him, and all of them would desert Him, but they couldn’t imagine any of those things taking place.
K. So there in the garden, Jesus chose to wait for the inevitable and He turned to His Father in prayer.
1. Luke tells us that when they arrived at the garden, Jesus told His disciples to “Pray that you may not fall into temptation.” Then He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down and began to pray. (Lk. 22:39-41)
2. Mark’s version includes a few more details: 32 Then they came to a place named Gethsemane, and he told his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33 He took Peter, James, and John with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. 34 He said to them, “I am deeply grieved to the point of death. Remain here and stay awake.” 35 He went a little farther, fell to the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. 36 And he said, “Abba, Father! All things are possible for you. Take this cup away from me. Nevertheless, not what I will, but what you will.” (Mk. 14:32-36)
3. 8 apostles stayed in one place, while Peter, James and John went with Jesus to another place.
a. Jesus revealed His heart to His inner three apostles and gave them more instructions.
b. Peter, James and John had never seen their powerful leader in such a vulnerable state.
c. The human side of Jesus’ was on display here.
d. Scripture tells us that Jesus was tempted in every way just as we are but was without sin (Heb. 4:15).
e. It was not Jesus being God that sustained Him through this agony, but rather it was His confidence and trust in God.
e. Here in the garden, only hours before His death, Jesus gave us the perfect example of turning to God to supply that which is lacking in one’s own strength and abilities.
4. Jesus asked His Father to take this cup away, if possible, but wanted God’s will to be done.
a. This cup that Jesus referred to was His death on the cross.
b. It is obvious that Jesus did not want to go to the cross, but He did so for two reasons.
c. First, it was God’s will, and that alone would have been enough.
d. But Jesus had a second reason – He had told His disciples just a few minutes earlier that: “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” (Jn. 15:13)
e. His love for us is what also led Him to the cross.
L. Twice, we are told that Jesus came back to where Peter, James and John were supposed to be keeping watch with Him in prayer, but He found them sleeping.
1. Mark reports: 37 Then he came and found them sleeping. He said to Peter, “Simon, are you sleeping? Couldn’t you stay awake one hour? 38 Stay awake and pray so that you won’t enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 39 Once again he went away and prayed, saying the same thing. 40 And again he came and found them sleeping, because they could not keep their eyes open. They did not know what to say to him. (Mk. 14:37-40)
2. I’m sure Jesus wasn’t surprised to find them sleeping, but it must have hurt, nonetheless.
3. The lateness of the hour, combined with four cups of wine had taken its toll on them.
4. Luke is the only Gospel writer who mentions that an angel from heaven appeared to Jesus and strengthened Him. (Lk. 22:43) How cool is that!! Wouldn’t you have liked to have seen that?
5. Luke also tells us that Jesus prayed so fervently and with such anguish that His sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground. (Lk. 22:44)
M. Mark continued: 41 Then he came a third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The time has come. See, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42 Get up; let’s go. See, my betrayer is near.” 43 While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, suddenly arrived. With him was a mob, with swords and clubs, from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. 44 His betrayer had given them a signal. “The one I kiss,” he said, “he’s the one; arrest him and take him away under guard.” 45 So when he came, immediately he went up to Jesus and said, “Rabbi!” and kissed him. 46 They took hold of him and arrested him. 47 One of those who stood by drew his sword, struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his ear. (Mk. 14:41-47)
1. All 4 of the Gospels record Peter pulling his sword and swinging it, likely aiming for the man’s neck, but thankfully, he only hit the man’s ear and off it came.
a. The man is identified as Malchus, the high priest’s servant.
b. Luke, the doctor, tells us, that Jesus said, “No more of this! And touching his ear, He healed him (Lk. 22:51). Do you think Malchus might have become a believer in Jesus?
c. Jesus told Peter to put his sword away, because those to take up the sword will perish by the sword. Then Jesus said that if He wanted to He could call on His Father who would send more than 12 legions of angels. But then how would the scriptures be fulfilled? (Mt. 26:52-54)
2. The Gospel of John includes an interesting interplay prior to Peter taking out His sword: 3 So Judas took a company of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees and came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons. 4 Then Jesus, knowing everything that was about to happen to him, went out and said to them, “Who is it that you’re seeking?” 5 “Jesus of Nazareth,” they answered. “I am he,” Jesus told them. Judas, who betrayed him, was also standing with them. 6 When Jesus told them, “I am he,” they stepped back and fell to the ground. 7 Then he asked them again, “Who is it that you’re seeking?” “Jesus of Nazareth,” they said. 8 “I told you I am he,” Jesus replied. “So if you’re looking for me, let these men go.” 9 This was to fulfill the words he had said: “I have not lost one of those you have given me.” (Jn. 18:3-9)
a. When Jesus asked, “Who do you want?” He wasn’t seeking information, for He knew full well who they wanted, rather He was establishing whom they were going to get.
b. Jesus’ power over the soldiers was like the power Obi One Kenobi used over the storm troopers when he said: “These are not the droids you are looking for.”
c. One wonders why Jesus’ words “I Am He” caused those with Judas, those strong, well-trained soldiers to fall facedown on the ground – God’s identity carries great power.
d. Jesus repeated the question while they were on the ground, and replied the same way, but then He added that they had to let the other men (his disciples) go.
e. Having established who was in control of the moment, Jesus established the ground rules under which He would go with them – He would go with them if they let the others go.
3. Let me mention one more thing about the betrayal – how ruthless was the kiss of the betrayer?
a. Jesus was a pretty well-known person, and I think he would have been recognized by most.
b. And there were so many other ways Judas could have identified which one was Jesus.
c. But Judas chose the most intimate of gestures – a kiss – to mark the condemned one.
d. He knew it was coming and asked: “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”
e. I like the fact that Jesus pointed out what Judas was doing, what Judas was responsible for.
N. Mark concluded the garden story with these words: 50 Then they all deserted him and ran away. 51 Now a certain young man, wearing nothing but a linen cloth, was following him. They caught hold of him, 52 but he left the linen cloth behind and ran away naked. (Mk. 14:50-51)
1. Jesus was left alone with His captors in the garden. All the disciples fled as He said they would.
2. Mark is the only Gospel writer who mentioned the young man who ran away naked and many people believe that that young man was John Mark himself, the writer of the Gospel.
3. It is theorized that when Judas and his mob searched for Jesus, perhaps they first went the home with the upper room thinking that Jesus might still be there.
4. If the home with the upper room was where Mark lived, perhaps when the mob left, Mark ran to the garden to warn Jesus.
5. Perhaps when the soldiers tried to apprehend him, they grabbed him by his linen cloth britches, and Mark slipped out of it and ran away naked, leaving it in their hands.
6. Next time you play Bible trivia, you will know the answer to: who in the Bible was a streaker?
O. I wish we had more time to discuss the eternal lessons we earn from that Thursday, but here are 4:
1. First, Let’s take to heart the fact that Jesus is the one who serves, and we are served by the best!
a. Whenever we partake of the Lord’s Supper, let’s remember that we are invited to sit at God’s table and we are served by the King of Kings Himself.
b. Our Jesus is the host and not the guest, He is the one who serves, not the one served.
c. When the bread is broken, Christ breaks it, and when the wine is poured, Christ pours it, and when we are washed of our uncleanliness, it is because Christ has put on the apron.
d. And remember this is just a warm up for what will happen in heaven.
2. Second, Let’s take to heart that Jesus prayed for us on that last night before the crucifixion, and He now sits at the right hand of God interceding for us. (Rom. 8:34)
a. Jesus prayed for Peter when Satan wanted to sift him like wheat.
b. Jesus prayed for those disciples, and He prayed for all of us who would later believe.
c. Jesus is our eternal high priest who lives to interceded for us. (Heb. 7:24-25)
3. Third, Let’s take to heart that Jesus understands how it feels to be betrayed.
a. Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss, all the disciples abandoned Him, and Peter denied Him.
b. The religious leaders hated Him, and the crowds turned on Him.
c. Jesus understands when you and I are betrayed by the people closest to us.
d. Loving people is messy, and life isn’t fair, and Jesus never promised us that it would be.
f. Jesus didn’t look for fairness on earth, rather, He kept His eyes on God’s future justice.
g. While going through a literal hell on earth, Jesus kept His eyes on heaven.
h. Let’s keep in mind that when all earth turns against us, heaven turns toward us.
4. Finally, Let’s take to heart that Jesus was ultimately in control.
a. Satan, and Judas, and the mob of religious leaders and soldiers were not in control.
b. Jesus had predicated all that would happen on that Thursday and Friday, but He also knew what was coming on Sunday - it looked like Satan and evil had won, but God and Good always win. It may look like Satan is having His way, but remember Sunday’s coming.
c. God is in control and God’s plans cannot be stopped.
5. These are some eternal truths to take to the bank and hold on to.
a. I’m not kidding! This is no April Fools’ joke!
Resources:
• Book by Max Lucado, “And the Angels were Silent,” Multnomah, 1992
• Book by Wayne D. Leeper, “Prelude to Glory,” Christian Communications, 1987
