Holy Week - Thursday

The Bible does not specify what happened on the last Wednesday of Jesus' life. Likely, he spent the day in Bethany with his disciples. I feel certain that by Wednesday, he had a lot on his mind and probably needed some time to think, reflect, pray, and meditate. But again, the Bible does not say what happened on this day.

But Thursday was a busy, busy day for Jesus and his disciples! I have always been amazed that Thursday was not designated as a special calendar day the way Good Friday and Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday have always been. Thursday was very eventful, and, in fact, were it not for the events of Thursday, the events that followed on Friday and Sunday could not have happened. Let's take a look...

The Last Supper

Let's set the stage. The Last Supper was the final time Jesus partook of the Passover meal. This was more than just a meal - even before Jesus' time. The Passover time was a time of reflection when the Jews began their exodus from Egypt. God told the Jews to kill a lamb and paint its blood on the doorframes to their houses, letting the angel of death know not to come inside. This would foreshadow Jesus' ultimate sacrifice on the cross. Long after the Jews were rescued, they still celebrated this special time. They were thankful that God had saved them. Part of the Passover celebration included a special meal that included lamb and unleavened bread. The unleavened bread was significant in that during the exodus, the Jews did not have time to sit and wait for their bread to rise - they had to leave in a hurry! Even to this day, Jews eat the Passover Seder (meal) with unleavened bread. I recommend visiting www.jewfaq.org for more information on Passover. At any rate, Jesus asked Peter and John to get the bread, lamb, herbs, wine, and the rest of the Passover meal prepared.

When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. And he said to them, "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God." (Luke 22:14-16)

Jesus knew that his time on Earth was drawing to a close. He knew what would be required of him. And I feel certain that he must've cherished one last meal with his dearest friends. I would imagine him being so heavy-hearted at what was to come, but yet still so filled with joy at watching his friends grow and learn and spread this important message, and knowing that what was to come would fulfill prophecy and free slaves from eternal bondage.

And he took the bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me." In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you." (Luke 22:19-20)

"But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table. The son of Man will go as it has been decreed, but woe to that man who betrays him." They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this. (Luke 22:21-23) I think we all know who would do this. Judas Iscariot must've been trembling in his boots... or sandals. He must've been thinking, "how did he know?" And maybe at this moment Judas is beginning to feel a little bit uneasy about this. But he goes forward nonetheless. And this brings us to the garden...

Jesus prays in Gethsemane

The meal had been eaten, the disciples now knew that one among them would betray Jesus, and one would deny him (three times). They also knew that Jesus was preparing for something huge. He had already discussed what the disciples were to do once he "left" them. Something was on the horizon. Jesus asked his disciples to follow him for solemn prayer in the garden of Gethsemane. He needed peace and quiet, though he already knew that he would be interrupted that evening as the culmination of events would find fulfillment. He asked his disciples to pray that they would not fall into temptation (Luke 22:40) and then he withdrew for time alone with his Father. It is there, in that time, that we can see Jesus as a being that is both fully God, and yet fully man.

He prayed, "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." (Luke 22:42) I have always loved this particular verse. Can you imagine the emotion? Jesus knows that his life will be required of him - and he knows why. He will pay for ALL the sins of ALL the people in ALL of the world for ALL time. But he also knows that it will hurt. And he asks one more time that God reveal if there is ANY OTHER WAY to accomplish the thing they've set out. His words are so simple, yet so powerful: "God, I want to do it, but if there's another way to make it happen, please say so." He is not telling God no, but he is asking for a less painful way. And how can anyone blame him? To take on the sins of generations?

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. (Luke 22:43-44) What a powerful event! He prayed that God would either show him a different way, or reaffirm him of the things to come. An angel appeared and Jesus knew that this was the ONLY way. And he poured out his whole heart to his Father in Heaven. So much so, that he bled from his pores.

Jesus, the kiss, and the arrest

While he was still speaking a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him, but Jesus asked him, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?"