< Luke 22 >

The chief priests and scribes were determined to kill Jesus v.2Luke 22:2XWaiting for response and they found an ally in one of the apostles, Judas Iscariot, who promised to betray Jesus for money.vs.3-5Luke 22:3-5XWaiting for response It is said of Judas that Satan entered into him.v.3Luke 22:3XWaiting for response This does not mean that a supernatural evil being came into him, so that he was not responsible for his action. The word “satan” is a Hebrew word meaning “adversary” and, in particular, a secret enemy as Judas was and, just as we might say that envy had entered into someone to make him extremely jealous, so the Jews used this word to express the emotion that made one a secret enemy of another. The betrayal was in God’s purpose but Judas did this by his own volition, and he himself would bear the responsibility and the punishment.v.22Luke 22:22XWaiting for response

Jesus was to die on the same day as the Passover lamb was killed,v.7Luke 22:7XWaiting for response and at the start of that Jewish day, in the evening, he kept the Passover with his apostles.vs.9-20Luke 22:9-20XWaiting for response During that last feast with his apostles Jesus broke bread to represent his body broken for them v.19Luke 22:19XWaiting for response and drank wine to represent his blood shed for them, confirming the New Covenant of God with his people.v.20Luke 22:20XWaiting for response And he requested his disciples to break bread during his absence in remembrance of him.v.19Luke 22:19XWaiting for response

During this feast Jesus assured his disciples that they themselves who had endured trials with him would, when the kingdom is re-established, “sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel”. v.30Luke 22:30XWaiting for response However, first he and they had to go through severe trials. Indeed, Jesus prayed to his Father that if it was possible he should not have to suffer the terrible ordeal of crucifixion, but he said: “nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done”.v.42Luke 22:42XWaiting for response

Jesus warned Peter that he would deny him that night v.34Luke 22:34XWaiting for response and when it happened through the weakness of the flesh Peter wept bitterly.v.62Luke 22:62XWaiting for response Peter was most zealous in the defence of Jesus, for example cutting off the ear of one that came to take Jesus into custody,v.50Luke 22:50XWaiting for response but Jesus is merciful and he both restored the man’s ear and forgave Peter his denial.

Jesus was taken to the high priest’s house, mocked and ill-treated until dawn when he was brought before the Jewish council.vs.63-66Luke 22:63-66XWaiting for response They could not bring any legitimate charge against this innocent man but when he affirmed he was the Son of God v.70Luke 22:70XWaiting for response they dispensed with witnesses v.71Luke 22:71XWaiting for response and led him to the Roman governor to have him sentenced to death.