THE LAST SUPPER

Gloria Phifer

            John 12:20-35. There is so much in these verses. What happens when a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies? What must one do to be a disciple of Christ? What will the Father do for those who serve Jesus?  Jesus could not pray “Father, save me from this hour…because for this hour He had come.” What did the voice from Heaven say? For whose benefit was it?

 Who will be cast out? Colossians 1:13-14, Col. 2:13-15, 1 Cor. 2:8, the cross was a mystery to the enemy. Jesus spoiled the enemy triumphing over them at His cross.

      
      John 12:34-35. What does Jesus say about The Light?  Believing in The Light, Jesus Christ, makes us children of Light. How awesome is that???

            Last week, we saw Jesus entering Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. He was riding on a colt of a donkey. He was being praised as He went. As He neared the city He wept, because they did not know the Day of their Visitation.

 Luke 13:34 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which kills the prophets, and stones them that are sent to you; how often I would have gathered your children together, as a hen does gather her brood under her wings, and you would not.” He was entering the city as The Lamb of God…facing the cross on that Friday.
 Zechariah . 9:9 “Rejoice greatly, o daughter of Zion; shout, o daughter of Jerusalem: behold, your King comes to you, He is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt, the foal of an ass.”

            Luke 22:1-16. Vs.14-16. “He said unto them, with desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer:” Desire in Greek is “epithymeo” (ep-ee-thoo-meh’-o)

“To set the heart upon. Long for, covet, desire, to have a desire for, long for, desire, passion.”

This is a very strong word. What are your thoughts on Jesus great desire to eat this Passover with them?”

            Jesus knows the hours ahead. His moments, before He faces the cross, were spent with His disciples.

           
 Vs. 16 “I will no more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the Kingdom of God.” He will fulfill the Passover in the hours ahead. He will be The Lamb of God slain on Passover.

          

  Luke 22: 17-20. What does the bread represent? The bread was broken and given to them.  His body would be a sacrifice. They are to break bread in remembrance of Him and what He is going to do on the cross. What does the wine represent? His blood would be shed for them, and you and me.

Vs. 20 He is making a New Testament in His blood…a New Covenant.  Matt. 26:28. 

              Have you ever had someone wash your feet? How did you feel? I have and it was a very humbling experience.

            John 13:1-17 Jesus washes the disciple’s feet.

Archaeological Study Bible “The people of Jesus’ time walked the dusty roads shod only in sandals, and their feet became dirt-encrusted. Etiquette demanded that, when a traveler entered a home as a guest, the host provide for the washing of his or her feet. This distasteful chore was generally delegated to the lowliest servant in the household.”

            John 1:26-27 (John the Baptist). Footnote: “Disciples would perform all sorts of service for their rabbis (teachers) but loosing sandal thongs was expressly excluded, as it was considered a menial task, fit only for a slave.” John the Baptist said he was not worthy to loose Jesus sandals.

            This is interesting to me. John13: 3 “Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under His power, and that He had come from God and was returning to God” (then He prepared to wash their feet.) Jesus knew Who He was! He knew He was from God and was returning to God.

Jesus had nothing to prove…He knew!!! This is a wonderful act of love and humility. Philip. 2:7-11. what are your thoughts? Why didn’t Peter want Jesus to wash his feet? What are your thoughts on John13: 9 & 10? 

Archeology study Bible. “John 13:10 “A man would bath himself before going to a feast. When he arrived, he needed only to wash his feet to be considered entirely clean again.”

            I believe Jesus is giving a deeper meaning here, since He said they were not all clean and then in vs. 11 the verse speaks of the person who would betray Him.

            John 13: 12-17. What was Jesus teaching them by washing their feet? What does He want them to do?  Vs. 17 LAB. “Now, that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.

In Luke 22:24-29 we find something else that had been happening at the table.  They were looking for greatness. With them was THE GREATEST OF ALL!!! 


And yet He took on the form of a servant. How did Jesus describe the rulers of the Gentiles?  What is the difference He wanted in their lives and in our lives?  How does this speak to your heart? Notice, He does appoint them a kingdom where they will sit on thrones judging the 12 tribes of Israel. When will their greatness come?   (Each disciple will be a martyr for Christ, except John, who will be exiled to the Island of Patmos, because of His faith. Judas will betray him.)

John 13:18-21. Jesus reveals that one of the disciples will betray Him.
 Psalm 41:9 “Yes, mine own familiar friend, in who I trusted, which did eat of My Bread, has lifted up his heel against Me.”

 It looks to me, that Judas had eaten the Passover supper with them. He ate the bread that was broken for them. (Notice the psalm says he ate My Bread) (Cap. mine) Jesus body. And the wine…that was Jesus blood. Jesus had washed Judas feet.  And yet, Judas’ heart was far from Jesus.

Vs. 21. Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified and said “verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.” The word for troubled in Greek is “tarasso”. “To stir or agitate, trouble.

To agitate, trouble (a thing, by the movement of its parts to and fro.) To cause one inward commotion, take away His calmness of mind, disturb His equanimity. To disquiet, make restless. To strike one’s spirit with fear and dread. To render anxious or distressed. To stir up. To trouble.”  This is a very strong word…full of emotions. What stirs your heart the most?

            I am sad for Jesus. Such strong emotions…to know He has been betrayed. Thoughts?

Vs. 22 the beloved disciple (John) asked “Lord, who is it?”

            Vs. 26-28. Jesus dipped the bread and gave it to Judas. Lab footnote: “The honored guest at a meal was often singled out like this. Judas was not the obvious betrayer. After all, he was the one the disciples trusted to keep the money.”

I have always wondered at vs. 27: What are your thoughts?

 I am also sad for Judas. He has taken the bait of satan. Judas has sold his soul for 30 pieces of silver. He has betrayed The Son of God. Matt. 26:21-25. Jesus said it would have better if Judas had not been born. Thoughts?

John 13:31-34. There is so much in these verses. What time had come?  He will soon enter into God’s glory. Jesus will bring the Father glory. He will only be with them a little longer. What are your thoughts? How will God be glorified through His Son? How will God soon give glory to the Son?  John 17:1. He will finish the work His Father has given Him to do.

            John 13:34 “So now I am giving you a new commandment: love each other. Just

 as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are My disciples.” This is the New Commandment of The New Covenant. How will the world know we are His disciples?  1 John 4:7-17, 1 Cor.13:13. Romans 13:10 what does love fulfill? Who is God?  God is love.

            John 13:36-38. Peter is sure he is ready to die for Jesus. Before that night is over he will

Betray Jesus 3 times.

            Next week we will look at chapters 14-17 in John. These words are given to comfort the disciples. And then we will read the intimate prayer Jesus prayed to His Father.

           

PASSION WEEK…THE TRIUMPHAL ENTRY

Gloria Phifer

PALM LEAF

            Last week, we saw that Jesus was anointed before His death by Mary and another woman. Psalm 45:1-8. This is a Psalm of “The King.” Vs. 6 He is God upon His throne. Vs. 7 because He loves righteousness…He is anointed with the oil of joy. All His robes are fragrant with myrrh, aloes, and cassia…” vs. 3 “Put on Your sword, O Mighty Warrior.” The Warrior King Footnotes of Full Life study Bible “The Messianic King is called God!!!” 

Hebrews 1:8-9

Full Life study Bible: “Because Jesus Christ loved righteousness and hated wickedness, God set Him above all others by anointing Him. This anointing refers to the glory, blessedness and authority given Him by God. The “oil of joy” is directly related to His anointing with the Holy Spirit.

Zechariah 9:9 “Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! See (Behold) your King comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt the foal of a donkey. (NIV).

          
  Luke 19:28-44. (Jesus had just given the parable of the talents.) The day was Sunday, the day after Sabbath. It was considered the 1^st day of the week. (This is our Palm Sunday.) Jesus was on the Mount of Olives. Vs. 30-34 what did Jesus tell two of His disciples to do? What happened when the owner of the colt saw them losing the colt? Their reply?

           
 The Lord had need of this colt. I thought this was interesting that they put their cloaks on the colt, and also, as He went, the people spread their cloaks on the road. John 12:12-19: What did the crowd do when they heard Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem? (Palm branches were a sign of “victory.”)

           
 Vs. 16-19 the disciples later on, realized Jesus had fulfilled the prophesy of Zechariah. The Pharisees said to one another “See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after Him.” Thoughts?  How wonderful if the world would go after Him now. Someday they will.

           
 Luke 19:37-40. The whole crowd began praising God and saying…Blessed is The King Who comes in The Name of The Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest! Ps. 118:19-29.

The Full Life Study Bible: vs. 25 “Save us.” This phrase becomes “Hosanna” in the Greek translation of the Old Testament, and was sung by the crowds during Jesus entry into Jerusalem.  Vs. 22-23 The Stone rejected…Jesus applied these verses to Himself, because He was thrown aside by His own people, but afterwards became the Principal Stone of God’s new house, the church. Matt. 21:42, Acts 4:8-11, Eph. 2:20-22, 1 Peter 2:4-8.”

           
 Notice also in this Psalm 118 vs: 27---the last part of this vs. “up to the horns of the altar.”

They were getting ready to celebrate Passover. The blood of the sacrifice was put on the 4 corners (they were called horns) of the Burnt altar; and the rest of the blood was poured out at the base of the altar. Exodus 27:1-2.
 This altar was made of “acacia wood. Acacia means “pierced.” It was overlaid with bronze…bronze is a symbol of “judgement.

 This is a picture of the cross. Jesus, the Lamb of God, would be nailed to the cross. His blood would be on four parts of the cross. The thorns on His head. His two hands. His feet. (And by His stripes we are healed…His torn back was against this rough cross.) His heart was pierced and water and blood flowed to the foot of the cross. He took our judgement on the cross.

           
 So we see that through this procession in Psalm 118:27 “God is Lord, Which has showed us Light. (Jesus is the Light). Bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.

           

 Notice also Psalm 118: 16-18. He shall not die…and be given over to death. (Death will not consume Him.) He has been chastened sore. (He was chastised for our peace. Isaiah 53:5.)  vs. 19 He is opening the “Gates of righteousness…this Gate will the righteous enter.” Ps. 9:13-14. God will lift Him up from gates of death.”  Jesus is “The Gate” of our salvation. The Entry into salvation. John 10:9 Jesus said He is the Door, if any man enter in, he shall be saved.

Greek “door” is “thyra.” “A primary word…a portal or entrance…door, gate.”

(We have also discussed before how Jesus went through the Eastern Gates…and it was prophesied in Ezekiel that these gates would be shut, because the God of Israel had gone through them…which was fulfilled when the Ottoman Turks sealed the Eastern Gates in 1517AD.   Ezekiel 43:1-3. These are the ancient gates of Psalm 24.  When He returns to earth, and His feet land on the Mount of Olives, these gates will open and The King of Kings and Lord of Lords will enter them. Who is The King of Glory…The Lord of Hosts…Mighty in battle…He is The King of Glory!!! Zech. 14:3-4.

           

 Luke 19:37-40. “I tell you that, if these should hold their peace the stones would immediately cry out.” I have been to Israel, and I remember thinking of this scriptures as I saw a field full of stones.

           

 Luke 19:41-44. Jesus wept over Jerusalem. Notice in vs. 44b…”Because you knew not the time of your visitation.  Their Messiah had come…and they did not know it. Jesus prophesied what would happen in 70AD. Your thoughts on Jesus heart at this moment?

LAB: “about 40 years after Jesus said these words, they came true. In A.D. 66 the Jews revolted against Roman control. Titus, son of the emperor Vespasian, was sent to crush the rebellion. Roman soldiers attacked Jerusalem and broke through the northern wall but still couldn’t take the city. Finally, they laid siege to it and in A.D. 70 they were able to enter the severely weakened city and burn it. Six hundred Jews were killed during Titus’s onslaught.” (The Temple was destroyed.} And the Jewish people were dispersed throughout the world. There was no more “Israel” until 1948.

Matthew 21:8-11.  The entire city of Jerusalem was in an uproar as He entered. “Who is this? They asked. “It is Jesus, the Prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

 Zech.9:9 “Rejoice, o people of Zion! Shout in triumph, o people of Jerusalem! Look, your King is coming to you. He is righteous and victorious, yet He is riding on a donkey, riding on a donkey’s colt.” (LAB  study Bible.)