The Message

Disclaimer... This message was created directly out of the Story. (Matthew 26:36-28:10)

Video.... Risen Easter Worship Intro

Prayer

Slide #1

Jesus went with His disciples to a place called Gethsemane and said to them.

“Sit here while I go over there and pray”.

He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with Him, and He began to be sorrowful and troubled.

Then He said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and Keep watch with me.”

Going a little farther, He fell with His face to the ground and prayed

“My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.”

Then He turned to His disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” He asked Peter.

“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Jesus went away a second time to pray, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”

An angel from heaven appeared to Him and strengthened Him. And being in anguish, He prayed more earnestly, and His sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.

Slide #2

When He came back, He again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy.

So He left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.

Then He returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”

While He was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people.

Jesus knowing all that was going to happen to Him...went out and asked them, “Who is it you want”

“Jesus of Nazareth” they replied.

“I am He,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them).

When Jesus said, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground.

Again He asked them, “Who is it you want?” “Jesus of Nazareth” they said.

Again Jesus answered, “I told you that I am He...If you are looking for me, then let these men go.”

This all happened so that the words He had spoken would be fulfilled.

Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priests servant, cutting off his right ear.

Jesus then commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?”

And Jesus touched the man’s ear and healed him.

Then Jesus said to the high priests, the officers of the temple guard, and the elders, who had come for Him.

“Am I leading a rebellion that you have come with swords and clubs?

Every day I was with you in the temple courts, and you did not lay a hand on me...

But this hour-when darkness reigns.”

Slide # 3

Soldiers of the Jewish religious establishment had come to place Jesus under arrest, and Jesus gave Himself up. He could have toppled His foes with a word.

He had the power to call on vast armies of angels to rescue Him, Matthew 26:53 (12 Legions-A Roman Legion consisted of 6000 soldiers = 72,000) but instead He surrendered. The disciples knew something very bad was happening, and they ran away to save their own lives. Jesus was left alone with His captors.

Those who had arrested Jesus took Him to Caiaphas (Kay-a-fus) the high priest...where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled.

But Peter followed Him at a distance...right up to the court yard of the high priest...He entered and sat down with the guards to see the outcome.

The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so they could put Him to death.

But they did not find any...though many false witnesses came forward.

Finally two came forward and declared, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days’”.

Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Are you not going to answer?

What is this testimony that these men are bringing up against you?” But Jesus...He remained silent.

The high priest said to Him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.”

“You have said so,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming down on the clouds of Heaven.”