Very God, very human.

CHAPTER 8. APPROACHING CLIMAX.
One week in Spring (probable year AD 32).

John 11:55-57 and 12 to 13, Luke 18:31-43 and 19 to 21. Mark 10:46-52 and 11 to 13,
Matthew 20:29-34 and 21 to 26:16

8.1 PASSOVER
At Passover time the population of Jerusalem rose to over a million. There were visitors from all over the country and visitors from the Jewish dispersion, Asian, African and European. Every one with a house in or near the city would offer basic hospitality - a place to unroll a sleeping mat - to as many as would fit into the space. Often the hospitality went further with the loan of a room to groups celebrating the Passover meal.

A week before Passover day, the city was already filling up rapidly, and one question was being asked everywhere. Will He come?

The temple traders evidently believed He was not coming, they were back. With a warrant out for His arrest they felt safe to change money or sell animals for sacrifice and make a profit once more.

Those who had issued the warrant were not so sure. They knew they could not touch Him in the presence of crowds. That way lay rioting and if there was one thing the Roman authorities hated it was rioting. The riot would be blamed onto the rulers, no matter who had started it.

8.2 THE SABBATH.
Sabbath rest lasted from sunset to sunset, beginning on what we know as Friday evening with a quiet family celebration at home. Saturday was devoted to Synagogue and resting. Then at sunset the Sabbath ended and it was time for more outgoing celebrations.

Jesus and His team arrived at Bethany on Friday in time to join the Sabbath rest. Then on what we would call Saturday evening, after sunset so that the Sabbath was over, Bethany celebrated its most distinguished guest.

8.3 RECEPTION AT BETHANY.
John 12:1-8 Mark 14:3-9 Matthew 26:6-13

A local householder named Simon provided the accommodation, Martha provided the feast. Among the guests were the twelve apostles, Lazarus who had been raised from the dead and his sister Mary. It seems that both Mary and Lazarus were youngsters and Martha was the adult head of the home.

There was clearly a strong bond of friendship between Jesus and this family. On a previous occasion Martha had been irritable with Jesus - proving close friendship - society hostesses do not quarrel with honoured guests. The problem then had been triggered by young Mary’s hero-worship for Jesus.

There was no irritability this time. Mary had matured. Martha had mellowed. Above all both had been given a new insight into who their friend really was when He raised their brother from the dead.

Anointing was a normal way of honouring a guest in that climate. On arrival water would be provided to wash off the dust of the road from tired feet. Then, sandals laid aside, the guests would recline around the low table, lying on their left sides and eating with their right hand. Before the meal, perfumed oil would be used and the honoured guest anointed, head and feet.

What was different this time was that Mary used the most expensive ointment she had - the kind normally reserved for a wedding night. Furthermore she broke the bottle and used the lot, spilled on rather too much and had to wipe it off with the end of her long hair.

The whole point of the gesture was its outrageous extravagance.

The men present felt embarrassed. They had all declared their willingness to live for Jesus and if necessary die for Him, but this kind of giving was both youthful and feminine. It also seemed to them to be a waste. They all felt it, but Judas said it aloud.

“That stuff was worth a fortune. We could have given the money to the poor.”

If Jesus had said nothing the youngster would have felt rebuked. He could not let it go.

He said first, “Leave her alone - it was lovely!” (Literally she has done a “good” work for me, but the word for good is “kalon” which is nearer in meaning to lovely or delightful or beautiful than to moral goodness. He was not simply approving her but appreciating her, which was what she wanted.)

Then He added that “Wherever this Gospel is preached in the whole world, this action will be remembered.”

Extravagance is a characteristic of Heaven and one sentimental teenager had given Him a vivid reminder of home. As Mary broke the flask and filled the room with perfume; so within a week His own body would be broken and the universe filled with the scent of Heaven’s redeeming extravagance, giving all to save mankind.

When Jesus was buried, two rich men provided thirty kilos of expensive spices for His body and no one suggested they were wasting their money. Mary had got in first and given while He could appreciate it.


8.4 THE BETRAYAL PLANNED.
Luke 22:1-6 Mark 14:10-11 Matthew 26:14-16

Judas was humiliated. He had forced Jesus into the position where He had to humiliate someone - if not Judas, than Mary. Even so Judas went out fuming. It is clear that this incident was the final cause of the betrayal. It was not the beginning, Judas who like them all had given up everything to follow Jesus had developed into a thief (maybe telling himself he was only recovering some of what he had given up). John 12:6 clearly states he used to steal from the team funds. They probably did not find out until someone else took over as treasurer.

Matthew, Mark and John each in their own way link the betrayal with the anointing at Bethany. Clearly it was, for Judas, the last straw, a moment of humiliation which tipped him over the edge. Or perhaps it was the moment when the others first perceived something wrong with Judas, something they only identified in retrospect.

His first visit to the Chief Priests could have been any time in the next three or four days, probably at some time when Jesus was fully occupied. As team treasurer Judas could easily go off alone, ostensibly to make purchases.

If Judas was to leave the disciples, he needed to be restored to favour with the authorities. Of all suggested motives for the betrayal, this is the simplest and most obvious. It is always better to assume the obvious rather than to invent something obscure. Fanciful interpretations of Judas and his character are only ever speculation.

The Chief Priests needed Judas, for two strong reasons. One was the difficulty of finding Jesus in the absence of crowds. The other was that the security guards, who had to make the arrest, were afraid of Christ Himself. They had heard Him preach, seen His miracles and shared with the crowds an awesome respect for Him which, if they were required to lay hands on Him would soon turn to terror - especially at night.

If they were to carry out orders to arrest Him, they needed someone to lead them to Him.

So the authorities knew they were dependent on Judas, but even so their plan was still to wait until after the Passover was over. Only at the last moment was their plan thrown into confusion.

8.5 PUBLIC ACCLAIM
The next morning Jesus rode openly into the city thronged by cheering crowds. Jerusalem was still the most dangerous place for Him to be, but in the presence of the multitude, the warrant for His arrest meant nothing. The Pharisees said among themselves, “The whole world has gone after Him.”

Yet the day ended quietly. He looked around the Temple courtyards but took no action that day. He spent time with a group of Greeks who wanted to see Him, but that was all.

Next day, however, He once more captured public attention and official opposition by driving out the temple traders. Once again the crowd supported Him and the officials had to give way.

Jesus had never been so threatening, or so threatened. His popularity unnerved the authorities, yet as soon as the crowds had dispersed His life was in danger.

8.6 THE LAST BATTLE OF WORDS.
Luke 20 to 21:4 Mark 11:27 to 12:44 Matthew 21:23 to 23:39

The Tuesday of that week was the occasion of the last and final public confrontation in the temple courtyard. In the morning Jesus took His seat among the colonnades and people gathered round Him to hear what He had to say.

Opponents resolved on one final attempt to trip Him up, discredit Him or at least diminish His popularity. Matthew gives the fullest account. First hecklers sent to trip Him and trap Him. Then His strongest attack yet on religious hypocrisy.

The day ended with His declaration - you will not see me again - and indeed for many that was the last time. He never again preached to the temple crowd.

8.7 TUESDAY NIGHT AND WEDNESDAY MORNING.
Luke 21. Mark 13. Matthew 24 and 25.
He sat up late on Tuesday night, teaching His disciples. His last public speech was finished, but He had much more to say in private to His friends.

It was Wednesday morning when He finished with the statement, “Two days to Passover and I shall be crucified.” On the same day the Chief Priests were still saying ”Not on the feast day, or there may be a riot.”

Something caused them to change their minds, as we shall see. Meanwhile, Jesus knew the date of His arrest better than those who were to be His captors.

8.8 THE LAST SUPPER.
John chapters 13 to 17, Luke 22:7-38, Mark 14:12-31, Matthew 26:17-35.

Danger was everywhere except in the crowds. Whenever Jesus and His companions were out of the public eye they were fugitives. The location of the room provided for Passover by some unknown host, had to remain secret. A coded sign led Peter and John to the house and they alone prepared it for the meal. The others, including Judas, had no idea where it would be until they arrived.

This constant pressure of danger was also one reason why none but the twelve were present. The Supper was not shared by the Mother of Jesus or His other companions, men or women. They were all in the city, but at other venues. To be with Jesus was to be at risk.

Supper was eaten from a low table, not more than six inches (15 cm) high. Mats were laid on the floor so that diners could recline on their left elbows, feet pointing away from the table, eating with their right hands. (All known pictures of “The Last Supper” are wrong. They were not sitting up to table in later European fashion.)

We know from what transpired that they were positioned with John on Jesus’ right and Judas within easy reach, probably on His left. Peter apparently was opposite John and so able to sign to him unobtrusively. In terms of the protocol of those times, Jesus presided over the feast and Judas and John occupied places of honour on either side of Him. Peter apparently had chosen the humblest place on the other side of the table.

Jesus had only two members of His family among the twelve, James and John. His own brothers were not there to take the places of honour. The natural alternatives were His cousins. But Judas as treasurer was the only “officer” of the group. “And there arose a dispute among them as to which of them was the greatest.”

After all Jesus had taught them about having a servant heart, only Peter seems to have taken it in and applied it in practical terms. He took the lowest place. But since it was Judas who supplanted James for an honoured place, we may assume that the dispute involved him. Perhaps the others had learned the lesson after all.

Washing Feet.
Jesus had to make the point again, however, this time by deed not word. No servant was present to wash the guests’ feet, so Jesus did it.

He began at the humblest place, with Peter, and Peter reacted typically. “You will never wash my feet.”

To understand this and other conversations between Jesus and Peter we have to hear their tone of voice. When one man says to another, “Get behind me Satan” he is either speaking to his worst enemy or his best friend, and the tone of voice will determine which. The relationship between Jesus and Peter included much human camaraderie. If we leave that factor out we will misinterpret what was said.

“You will never wash my feet,” was not said aggressively, rather the tone was, “Come off it, this is not your job,” with the clear implication that Peter was offering to do the menial task himself. Jesus replied, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with me,” again not petulant or theological but using His normal form of expression, parable and metaphor, and using it in a light-hearted way. “I wash all my followers” - they knew Him well enough to see the reference to spiritual cleansing.

Again Peter’s reply must be understood as a lightweight conversational response, not solemn and serious. “If it is like that you had better wash me all over.” And Jesus answered once again using the parable technique of including a serious point in an easy-going metaphor.

The foot washing before a meal was because all guests had arrived on dusty roads wearing open sandals. It did not mean they were not clean when they started out, and Jesus applied the same picture to daily spiritual life - a full wash when it is necessary, repentance and forgiveness after a deliberate sin - but normally a simple daily lifestyle tuned in to heaven and constantly alert to any defilement picked up on the way. Heavy repentance for minor human faults is not spirituality but neurosis.

Jesus and Friendship.
To every Jewish family, Passover was a great occasion. Celebrations past were among the happiest of childhood memories, and for adults Passover together was the pinnacle of friendship.

“I have really been looking forward to this Passover with you before I suffer,” (Luke 22:15). He would need to steel Himself to face what was coming, but here He could let His personal feelings be seen. This was a brief respite, away from pursuing foes or thronging fans. Jesus was with the men in whose company He had tramped the countryside, climbed the hills and sailed the lake.

Pleasure in the company of friends is part of the character of God, revealed in Jesus who said, later that evening, “If you have seen me you have seen the Father.” He who is “Very God” is very human.

Exit Judas.
Now Jesus gave Judas a final chance to change course. He told the disciples that one of them would betray Him. Worried they began to ask “Who? Not me?” and Peter sitting opposite John signed to him to ask the vital question, “Who?”

John was on the right side of Jesus, reclining on their left sides; so to speak quietly to Him he had to bend his head backwards - hence the expression, “leaning on Jesus breast,” not as often misinterpreted an expression of affection but simply a practical means of speaking without others hearing.

He asked who the betrayer would be and Jesus, equally quietly, said “Watch who I pass this to,” and passed the bread to Judas.

All Semitic cultures, Jewish or Arab, hold sacred the relationship of those who have eaten together. The betrayal which followed was a betrayal of that bond as well as of personal loyalty. Judas, on Jesus’ left, has no problem speaking to Him quietly. “Is it I?” he asks and Jesus replies quietly, “As you say.”

Then, loud and clear for all to hear, “What you have to do, do it quickly.” Ten of them thought it was some errand involving finance and John realised he was on trust to stay silent.

Judas went out into the night.

Bread and Wine.
Passover ended with a cup of wine. Jesus served it in the usual way, then when it was finished, added one more ceremony. He took bread, broke it and passed it round; then one more cup of wine.

Two millennia later a billion people do the same.

Final Hours Together.
With supper ended and Judas gone, twelve men who had been through so much danger and hardship together had just a couple of hours left until, as Jesus plainly told them, they would be scattered and separated. Peter pleaded, “Why?” when I am willing to die with you. They all said the same.

But Jesus was not asking for heroics. As we shall see, He deliberately sent them away when He was arrested. The time for martyrdom was later, many years later for most of them. They were not ready for such a bold stand - and it would have achieved nothing. Jesus did not expect or request it. He even warned Peter that his bravado would be short lived, “Before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.”

He began to explain, though acknowledging that they were still not ready to receive all He had to tell them. Three years of personal tuition from the best teacher of all had left them unprepared. There was a blank in their lives which had been temporarily filled by His physical presence and active leadership, but needed to be permanently filled by The Holy Spirit within them.

They were soon to learn how badly they would cope when He was missing from their lives. Then they would be ready to learn how well they could cope when The Holy Spirit had come in His place.

8.9 A FAVOURITE SPOT.
(John 18:1 Luke 22:39-46 Mark 14:32-42 Matthew 26:36-46)
Jesus had longed to eat the Passover with His friends and this desire had been granted Him. But He and they were open-air people and there was a favourite spot outside, an olive grove on a hillside, a short walk away.

This was where He led them to spend His final moments of freedom.

Here in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed through all that was to follow. It was here, while praying, that He sweat blood. Here He admitted to His friends that “My soul is exceeding sorrowful even unto death.”

Here He said to His Father, “If it is possible, let this cup pass from me, but if I have to drink it, then not my will but yours be done.”

Throughout the coming day, the interrogations and trials, the mocking, whipping, and crucifixion, we see Him calm and in full control. The horrors had all been faced in advance, kneeling before His Father in one of His favourite spots on Earth.

8.10 CAIAPHAS UNDER PRESSURE.
After Judas had left, there was an atmosphere of calm about the evening. The supper, the talk, the walk, the prayer and the promise, “Peace I leave with you, not like the word’s peace. In the world you will find trouble, but cheer up, I’ve conquered the world.”

There was no such peace in the house of Caiaphas that evening. All calm was shattered by the sudden and unexpected arrival of Judas with the news. “It is now or never, I can lead you to Him tonight but I can not go back to the disciples. He knows.”

Caiaphas really needed Judas, but he was completely unprepared. Security guards had to be summoned to make the arrest. A court had to be convened (an illegal night time court, and one packed with Caiaphas’ supporters). False witnesses had to be briefed. Arrangements had to be made for the Roman Governor Pilate to ratify the decision first thing in the morning; so that the prisoner could be safely in Roman hands before the common people knew what was happening.

The whole series of events that night was dominated by this deadline. If the news was out before the decision was final, the common people might rise up in protest. There could be a riot. The crowds were on Jesus’ side.

Maybe it was this fear of public clamour which gave Caiaphas the idea of gathering his own mob of supporters, just in case they were needed.

For the next few hours after Judas arrived the Chief Priests were intensely busy and under so much pressure that the false witnesses were not even properly briefed.

8.11 ARREST.
(John 18:2-12 Luke 22:47-54 Mark 14:43-52 Matthew 26:47-56)

At last Judas led the band of Priests and security guards down from the city to the brook Kidron, then up the hillside to the garden of Gethsemane. The guards carried swords or truncheons, but were still glad to let Judas lead the way. Fear of Christ’s power and awe for His personality were strong in those who had often seen Him in the temple courtyard. Judas was not overawed, familiarity had bred, if not contempt, at least absence of fear.

Judas was more concerned with the other eleven disciples present. The guards could deal with them, but if the guards fell back for fear of Jesus and the hardy fishermen moved in to defend their master, Judas might have been in danger. So he gave the guards a sign - I will go and kiss Him - then you arrest Him. A kiss was a normal greeting. It might deceive the disciples for just a moment, before they realised what was happening.

It did not work!

The kiss may have deceived the disciples for a moment, but the guards were still nervous, especially when Judas, having delivered the kiss, fell back among them for protection against Peter and the others.

Peter; armed with some weapon, probably a fisherman’s knife, something like a kukhri or machete; struck out and might well have led them all into action. Nervous and uncertain guards can be repulsed by a smaller number of determined fighters.

It was Jesus Himself who halted them. “Stop!” it was the one voice to which Peter would respond, “I must drink the cup my Father has given me,” - the same words they had heard Him use earlier in prayer. “I could call twelve legions of angels to rescue me if I wanted.”

Now He moved forwards, standing between the two groups, separating them and completely in control of both. He healed the wound Peter had inflicted - His last healing miracle. He asked the guards who they had come for, and still they edged away from Him.

“Swords, truncheons, what do you want those for. Am I a bandit? You all heard me in the temple, why didn’t you arrest me then?”

They had indeed heard Him in the temple, that was why they were frightened. Neither the darkness nor force of numbers had diminished His miraculous powers or His commanding personality. They dared not touch Him.

“If you want me, let the others go.” That at least sounded convincing. If He was going to surrender to them it would be on His terms and they were happy it should be so. His terms were to spare His companions, and by the same words He was effectively telling the disciples to make their escape.

The guards bound Him and led Him away, unresisting. (See Appendix 2 for discussion of whether arrest was by Roman soldiers or Jewish security guards.)


8.12 THE TWO AND THE NINE.
John 18:15-27 Luke 22:54-62 Mark 14:66-72 Matthew 26:68-75

The words, “If you want me, let the others go,” were ringing in their ears as nine disciples made their way to their safe refuge - probably the home at Bethany.

Two, however, tried to follow Jesus at a distance, wanting to know what happened to Him. It was easy for John, he had friends in the High Priest’s household - probably among the servants. It is possible that Messrs Zebedee, Sons and Partners, High Class Fishmongers, had actually supplied fish - salted or dried - to the High Priest’s kitchen. If so John might have been welcomed by the cook as “John the fishmonger” Be that as it may, he did have someone to let him in and more important, let him out again.

It was Peter, without this advantage, and with the disadvantage of having been involved in the fiasco of trying to resist arrest, who showed the most courage. He had said. “I will follow you to the death” and he was risking just that.

They arrived at the place where Jesus was to be interrogated (probably the first interrogation before Annas - but possibly the second before Caiaphas - it is not clear which). John contacted his friend and went into the house. Peter was left outside in the courtyard with nothing to do.

Throughout the small hours of the morning, when human energy and therefore human courage is at its lowest, Peter shivered in the cold and felt his bold resolution draining away.

He went to join others who were warming themselves by a brazier, but he could only have their warmth if he risked having their company. Conversation, for Peter, was dangerous and it was soon found easy and convenient to pretend to be a stranger. The denial that he ever knew Jesus crept up on him unawares and had been made before he even thought about it. Yet this discovery of his own weakness was Peter’s final lesson in his preparation to lead the new church into action, only a couple of months later.

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