Jesus' Final Week: Thursday

 It’s Thursday. Tomorrow, they will kill Jesus. How does Jesus and His followers spend the day?

Well, it was a long day, to say the least. Peter and John are tasked with getting ready for the Passover meal (Mk. 14:13). Would you have liked that job?

Just imagine the pressure of knowing the show is about to start, last-minute details...this is it! Three years of toil. It comes down to this last night before the curtains open. They are gathered for their last meal. Jesus sets the model for servant leadership at the gathering. Remember? 

Conveniently, no one was at the door to wash the guests’ feet. Jesus took it upon Himself (as the host) to wash the feet of everyone attending dinner. Keep in mind that Footwashing was assigned to the lowest of menial servants. At what point did He do this? When they were arguing over who was the greatest amongst themselves (Lk. 22:24). Talk about humility! (Jn. 13).  I can’t help myself…here’s what Jesus said to them:

“John 13:12 After Jesus had washed their feet, he put his outer garment back on and returned to his place at the table. “Do you understand what I have just done to you?” he asked. 13“You call me Teacher and Lord, and it is right that you do so, because that is what I am. 14 I, your Lord and Teacher, have just washed your feet. You, then, should wash one another's feet. 15 I have set an example for you, so that you will do just what I have done for you. 16 I am telling you the truth: no slaves are greater than their master, and no messengers are greater than the one who sent them. 17Now that you know this truth, how happy you will be if you put it into practice!

Later that day, the Lord’s Supper is instituted (Lk. 22:19-20), Judas departs to lead the betrayal procession…

 He tells them (again) that He’s leaving

 He foretells Peter’s denial

He continues to teach them (really intimate insights into the inner workings of the Church (to be formed) – the relationship of Believers to Christ (Jn. 15:1-7), the relationship of Believers to each other (Jn. 15:12-17), the relationship of Believers to the world (Jn. 15:18-25), and the promise of the Holy Spirit as Comforter (Jn. 15:26-27)

They head out to the Garden of Gethsemane where he prays first for Himself (Jn. 17:1-5), He prays for His Disciples (Jn. 17: 6-19…”sanctify them with Your truth”), He prays for ALL Believers (Jn. 17: 20-26).

He is confronted, betrayed and arrested (Jn.18)

He will endure the agony of a series of trials beginning tonight (Thursday), beatings and humiliation.

                       What a Night Indeed!

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Written by Kevin A. Hall.