Ben Wilson

With such powerful enemies, it's only a matter of time. One of the last things Jesus does appropriately is have a feast with his closest followers. This is the Passover, the greatest celebration of the Jewish calendar. So Jesus has a Passover feast with his apostles. He predicts that one of them will betray him, and they all ask, is it I?

With such powerful enemies, it's only a matter of time. One of the last things Jesus does appropriately is have a feast with his closest followers. This is the Passover, the greatest celebration of the Jewish calendar. So Jesus has a Passover feast with his apostles. He predicts that one of them will betray him, and they all ask, is it I?

And Jesus indicates that it is Judas, who is one of his apostles, who had already been conspiring with authorities to turn Jesus in. So Judas leaves the feast, and then Jesus administers a special meal, what we now call the Last Supper. He blesses the bread and wine and tells his apostles to eat it in remembrance of his body and his blood, which will soon be sacrificed.

And Jesus indicates that it is Judas, who is one of his apostles, who had already been conspiring with authorities to turn Jesus in. So Judas leaves the feast, and then Jesus administers a special meal, what we now call the Last Supper. He blesses the bread and wine and tells his apostles to eat it in remembrance of his body and his blood, which will soon be sacrificed.

Christians all over the world reenact this Last Supper in a ceremony that is called the Eucharist or Holy Communion or the Blessed Sacrament of the Lord's Supper. So after this supper, this Last Supper, it's now nighttime and Jesus leaves the building where they're having this meal and goes to an orchard of olive trees to pray.

Christians all over the world reenact this Last Supper in a ceremony that is called the Eucharist or Holy Communion or the Blessed Sacrament of the Lord's Supper. So after this supper, this Last Supper, it's now nighttime and Jesus leaves the building where they're having this meal and goes to an orchard of olive trees to pray.

He takes with him Peter, James, and John, three of his closest apostles, and tells them, quote, "'My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even unto death. Tarry ye here and watch with me.'" He is in agony, apparently over the sacrifice that he will soon be asked to make. He falls on his face and prays, Oh my father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me.

He takes with him Peter, James, and John, three of his closest apostles, and tells them, quote, "'My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even unto death. Tarry ye here and watch with me.'" He is in agony, apparently over the sacrifice that he will soon be asked to make. He falls on his face and prays, Oh my father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me.

Nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt. Okay. In other words, you know, God, I really don't want to go through with this, but if that's what you want, I'll do it. Peter, James, and John fall asleep as he prays, and he has to wake them multiple times. He asks them one of the most stinging questions of all time. He says, could you not watch with me one hour?

Nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt. Okay. In other words, you know, God, I really don't want to go through with this, but if that's what you want, I'll do it. Peter, James, and John fall asleep as he prays, and he has to wake them multiple times. He asks them one of the most stinging questions of all time. He says, could you not watch with me one hour?

And finally, the last time that they fall asleep, he says, sleep on now and take your rest. Behold, the hour is at hand, and I will be betrayed into the hands of sinners. At that moment, Judas comes up the hill with a crowd of chief priests, elders, and ruffians carrying swords and staves.

And finally, the last time that they fall asleep, he says, sleep on now and take your rest. Behold, the hour is at hand, and I will be betrayed into the hands of sinners. At that moment, Judas comes up the hill with a crowd of chief priests, elders, and ruffians carrying swords and staves.

His disciples try to defend him, and Peter takes out a sword that he had been carrying and cuts off a man's ear. However, these disciples soon realize that resistance is futile, and they all scatter and run away. According to the book of John, he's first taken to an elder named Annas, I think I'm pronouncing that right, who then refers him to the chief priest, Caiaphas.

His disciples try to defend him, and Peter takes out a sword that he had been carrying and cuts off a man's ear. However, these disciples soon realize that resistance is futile, and they all scatter and run away. According to the book of John, he's first taken to an elder named Annas, I think I'm pronouncing that right, who then refers him to the chief priest, Caiaphas.

The trial is a sham and a miscarriage justice from the very beginning. The prosecutors are apparently unprepared and have trouble coming up with witnesses, though they eventually come up with two who are willing to testify that Jesus said he would destroy the temple. And Jesus had indeed prophesied the temple would be destroyed.

The trial is a sham and a miscarriage justice from the very beginning. The prosecutors are apparently unprepared and have trouble coming up with witnesses, though they eventually come up with two who are willing to testify that Jesus said he would destroy the temple. And Jesus had indeed prophesied the temple would be destroyed.

In the face of this sham trial and the circus, Jesus maintains silent dignity, very infrequently answering any questions. To Caiaphas, he only answers the final question. When Caiaphas says, "'Answerest thou nothing? What is it which these witness against thee?' But Jesus held his peace.

In the face of this sham trial and the circus, Jesus maintains silent dignity, very infrequently answering any questions. To Caiaphas, he only answers the final question. When Caiaphas says, "'Answerest thou nothing? What is it which these witness against thee?' But Jesus held his peace.

And the high priest answered and said unto him, "'I adjure thee by the living God that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.' Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said, Nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy.

And the high priest answered and said unto him, "'I adjure thee by the living God that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.' Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said, Nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy.