My Message To God...

My Message to God

It has been a little more than 9 years since You delivered Your calling to me. It was brought to me in my workplace as innocently as only You can do, to open our hearts to Your love, of all Your children.

I watched a person, full of excitement, kindness and concern expressing her desire to help less fortunate people by offering food, clothing and friendship to others she didn’t even know. I wondered why she would do this and was told because they need these things. There was no money, guilt, or preaching as to why this was done. I was invited to see and experience what ‘other’ people go through each day, which I did with some reluctance, not knowing what to expect. My life changed after that experience, my eyes were opened to something I had never considered.

I was invited to meet at the church from where the group gathered the clothing and sandwiches to help with the preparation of the van for the trip downtown. I went into the church, something I haven’t done since the last wedding or funeral that I have been to. That was another experience that I found amazing ! I felt at home ! The building was noisy, kids running around, people talking to each other everywhere. My wife and I were welcomed by all, as my friend took us to our seats. I remember the beautiful songs and the inspirational comments about the songs and what they mean to us. Then the Pastor started to talk…I was hooked, I felt Your presence upon me, You were talking to me through him. The message was to me, You were calling me to be Your child. I couldn’t wait to get back the following Sunday to see if maybe I was just imagining my feelings and that I could do fine without You. I was wrong, Your spirit was in Your house, Your people and Your pastor. I knew I was in the right place.

My life has never been the same since. I desire to know all about Your need for me, what I can do for You. I have a lot to learn, I am but a child, full of wonder as to what the future has in store for me. Day by day I pray for You to help me, give me strength and knowledge and understanding to lead me in Your perfect and holy way. I struggle with the ways of the world and with who I am, I pray to you Lord Jesus every day, life can be so difficult, please give me all Your love, to help me be the man You want me to be and to be an example of You. I want to be Your servant any way that You can use me.

Thankyou, my Father, my Savior, my Redeemer, I need You to be my life, my reason for being here, this short period of time before eternity when Your will, will be done, as You promised.

A Decision Made...

This is a poem written for me by my friends Lloyd and Hildi Neufeld, just after I dedicated my life to Jesus through my baptism by Pastor Larry Welsh, December 19, 1999. Everytime that I question myself about my faith or just question myself...I read this and realize that Jesus is always with me through the good times and the not so good times...(and He always has been)

A Decision Made

A decision is made, you’re a child of The King
All heaven rejoices as angels sweetly sing
The smile on the face of Our Heavenly Father above
Is filled with such tenderness, mercy and love.

What a wondrous joy to see your smiling face
As Jesus in His endless love extends you saving grace
To know for all time, to him you now belong
He will give you strength and courage, your heart will sing a song

To give your heart to Jesus doesn’t mean all days are bright
But, God, Our Father in heaven, can set all things to right
He’ll walk each step beside you, you’ll never lose your way
Remember to give it all to Him, and learn each day to pray

On the day you became humble and gave your heart to The Lord
That day in The Book of Life, Jesus did your name record
You never need to worry, He will always be there for you
And when times seem sad and weary, Jesus Christ will see you through

A decision was made, your life in Christ is now free
To live as His son, an example to be
To show all the world, there’s no other way
With His arms wrapped around you, He’ll love you each day

Day 8 Part 6 Jesus Christ is Crucified...

This is the last segment of this essay about Christ's days leading up to HIs crucifixion. Derek and myself hope that readers of this document find it enlightening and interesting with the conclusion in mind that Jesus was the Son of God in human form here on earth, dying for us so that we can live.


We now return to the account of the Apostles of what happened at the scene of the crucifixion.

Lk23.32-37.There were also two others, criminals, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left. Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." And the people stood looking on. But even the rulers with them sneered, saying, "He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God." The soldiers also mocked Him, coming and offering Him sour wine, and saying, "If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself."

Lk23.39-43. Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, "If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us." But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, "Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong." Then he said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom." And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise."

Jn19.23-24. Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took His garments and made four parts, to each soldier a part, and also the tunic. Now the tunic was without seam, woven from the top in one piece. They said therefore among themselves, "Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be," that the Scripture might be fulfilled which says: Ps22.18. "They divided My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots." Therefore the soldiers did these things.

Jn19.25-27.Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, "Woman, behold your son!" Then He said to the disciple, "Behold your mother!" And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.

Jn19.28-30.After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, "I thirst!" Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished!" And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.

Mt27.45-49. Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?" that is, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" Some of those who stood there, when they heard that, said, "This Man is calling for Elijah!" Immediately one of them ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine and put it on a reed, and offered it to Him to drink. The rest said, "Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to save Him."

Lke 23:46 And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, "Father, 'into Your hands I commit My spirit.”
Mt27.51-54. And Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many. So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, "Truly this was the Son of God!" Mt27.55-56. And many women who followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to Him, were there looking on from afar, among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's sons.

Only from the summit or near the summit of the Mount of Olives on the west side, can the front of the temple and the veil of the temple be seen. The record of the statement of what the centurian saw happen gives us the approximate location of the crucifixion.

And Pilate acquiesced to their wishes. "Take you him and judge him according to your law" (John18:31). [Note that all the references in the previous paragraph about the people desiring him to be stoned, are found in the Gospel of John which records the appeals of the authorities to Pilot to have Christ killed according to the law of Moses.

Below is just a small piece of information that gives a glimpse of another reason that the crucifixion site was near the top of the Mount of Olives.

The Place of Jewish Execution
Golgotha. Pg42. One of the principal teachings of the Book of Hebrews concerning the crucifixion of Christ is to make it clear that he was executed "without the gate" and even "without the camp" (Heb. 13:10-13). This fact is fundamental to the whole issue of trying to discover the site of the crucifixion because Moses made it clear that those deserving the death penalty had to be killed "without the camp" of Israel (Num. 15:35,36). In the time of Christ, the Jewish authorities had determined the limits of the camp surrounding the city of Jerusalem. These outer boundaries of what were considered the city limits of Jerusalem were known by the Jews who lived at that period. If we can determine what those outer limits of the camp were when Christ was crucified, then it will help us in finding the place of the crucifixion. This is because it is certain that Christ could not have been executed within the boundaries of the camp. This is what the Book of Hebrews tells us. Somewhere outside those limits of what the Jewish authorities considered the "encampment" at Jerusalem was the place of the crucifixion.

The early Jewish records show that there were three camps surrounding the Temple and the city of Jerusalem. The first camp was that of the priests which was located within the inner Temple. This corresponded to the area of the Altar of Burnt Offering and the Holy Place of the Temple which included the Holy of Holies. The second camp was that of the Levites and it comprised the entire area of the Temple mount and- it included all of the Temple itself outside the inner courts which belonged to the priests. The third camp was the region around Jerusalem in which ordinary Israelites from the other Twelve tribes could have their residences.

Golgotha. Pg51. In a literal sense this means those being judged will have to position themselves on the slopes of the Mount of Olives facing the Temple in which God will then be sitting. In actual fact, the great judgment in the Valley of Jehosh-aphat mentioned in Joel 3:2,12 was acclaimed by people in the first century as referring to the Kidron Valley which separated the Mount of Olives from the Temple mount. Since the word "Jehoshaphat" means "God judges" it became common to believe that the final judgment for people in the world will occur on the eastern side of the Temple and up the slopes of the Mount of Olives. Many Jews and Moslems over the last few centuries have wanted to be buried in this region so that they might be the first of the righteous to be given their rewards when God comes to judge the world.

But what has this to do with the crucifixion of Christ? It is highly significant to it! Since the New Testament makes it abundantly clear that Christ bore all the judgments for sin and that he endured the wrath of God in place of the whole world (II Cor.5:14-21), it was necessary that Christ bear his judicial punishment in the area where "all the world" is destined to be judged. For Christ to be executed "in the presence of God" for the sins of the world, he had to bear those sins in the region designed by God for that purpose. This is why the sin offerings that were sacrificed by the priests were carried "outside the camp" to the top of the Mount of Olives in order to be burnt into ashes. This is also why the holiest of sin offerings (called the Red Heifer) was killed and burnt to ashes "outside the camp" at the summit of Olivet directly east of the Temple. It was also in this same region (but somewhat to the south, as we will see) where criminals deserving the death penalty were taken "outside the camp" to become a sin offering for themselves. Thus, in Christ's time, we find that the official Jewish place for execution was near the southern summit of Olivet but facing the eastern entrances to the Temple so that the evildoers would be executed "in the presence of God." Only an area east of the Temple (and Jerusalem) will fit all the requirements regarding the judicial execution of criminals.

There is another theory put forth by some scholars that is worth considering in my opinion. This theory is given below.

Golgotha. Pg189-191. The fact that Christ was stoned to satisfy the prophecy of Isaiah 52:14 that his appearance and form would be marred more than any man also helps to explain another New Testament reference that has long puzzled scholars. When Christ instituted the Lord's Supper on the eve of his crucifixion, he took bread and broke it and he said this breaking was like his body would be broken for them (Matt.26:26). He spoke of the breaking of his body in the same context as the wine which represented his blood which was shed at his crucifixion for the remission of sins. But it has baffled scholars how breaking off pieces of flat and crispy bread (just like the unleavened bread that Jews eat at Passover today called matzos) could in any way represent the body of Christ at his crucifixion? Since the New Testament specifically states that no bones in his body would be broken (John 19:36), many scholars can see no reference whatever to the death of Christ in the breaking of the unleavened bread. To many of them they feel that "the breaking of bread" must only refer to a ceremony at fellowship meals without any significance in regard to the crucifixion of Christ. But many early Christians did not view it that way at all. Let us look at what early Christians thought.

There are a number of Greek manuscripts and writings of several Church Fathers which provide a comment of explanation to the text of First Corinthians 11:24 concerning the breaking of the bread at the Lord's Supper and they associated it with the breaking of Christ's body at his crucifixion. They added their comments that the bread represented Christ's body: "which is broken for you" (see The Greek New Testament, UBS, p.604). This means that there were early beliefs that the "broken bread" in the ceremony of the Lord's Supper did indeed represent the "broken body" of Christ at the time of his crucifixion. For one thing, in the prophecy of the Suffering Servant in Isaiah 52:13 to 53:12 there was the statement in Hebrew that the person of the prophecy would be "broken for our iniquities" ("bruised" King James). There is no question that the Hebrew word dah-chah in Isaiah 53:5 means "broken" (cf. Isaiah 19:10).

Thus, we have the beliefs of early Christians and the prophecy of Isaiah itself that Christ's body would indeed be broken like breaking off pieces of unleavened bread. But the scourging of the soldiers before his crucifixion or the simple act of crucifixion itself could not account for such breaking off of pieces of his body. But the act of stoning would fit the description precisely. The hurling of small and sharp stones at Christ's body would tear away pieces of his flesh ever so slowly until after about six hours of such treatment he would have been hanging on the tree of crucifixion as a person whose visage and form would have been so marred that he would not have resembled a normal human any longer. This is how Isaiah 52:14 describes the Suffering Servant, whom all the New Testament writers identified with Christ Jesus, and I see no reason for not believing it. This is just another evidence that Christ met his death by stoning (his body torn to shreds in its frontal areas) and that he did not die by crucifixion alone.

The apostle Paul was fully aware that Christ was not only crucified in the Roman fashion of execution but he knew that the main reason for his death (and punishment) was through the Israelitish method of stoning. In Paul's classic statement that Christ had become a curse for us, he did not mean that it was simply by crucifixion alone that he had become such an "accursed thing." Note what he said in Galatians 3:13.
"Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangs on a tree."

The apostle Paul was in no way intending his quote, concerning the application of the Mosaic Law in the death of Christ, as pertaining to the Roman method of crucifixion alone. Paul selected the scripture in Deuteronomy 21:23 as describing Christ's death for another reason. Anyone who is acquainted with the Old Testament legislation is well aware that Moses in this reference was in no way speaking about hanging someone on a tree in order to kill him! On the contrary. Moses ordered the authorities within Israel to hang the corpse of the "accursed one" on a tree with ropes AFTER the person had already been killed by STONING. Notice the quote in full that the apostle Paul referred to. It had nothing to do with killing a person by the Roman method of crucifixion, and no such thing was in Moses' mind. Moses meant simply to hang the corpse on a tree after the stoning!

"And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones that he die: so shall you put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear and fear. And if a man have committed a sin worthy of death, and he be to be put to death, and you hang him on a tree: and his body shall not remain all night on the tree, but you shall certainly bury him that day (for he that hangs is accursed of God), that your land be not defiled, which the Lord your God gives you for an inheritance" (Deut.21:21-23).

After the legs of the thieves were broken, the crowd started to disperse. As soon as they were dead, they were taken down from the tree. Joseph of Arimathea took down the body of Jesus after he got permission from Pilot. This had to be done before dusk, as the 1st day of unleavened bread was about to start. There was only time for Joseph and Nicodemus to wrap the body in linen with a mixture of myrrh and aloes. Also, some women just had time before the Sabbath to prepare the spices and perfumes, which they planned to apply after the Sabbath to the body of the Christ, which was the custom. When Joseph and Nicodemus had finished preparing the body, a stone was rolled in front of the tomb. Later the religious authorities sealed it and put a guard at the tomb.

Jn 19:31-37. Therefore, because it was the Preparation Day, that the bodies should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day)[the 1st day of unleavened bread which is a Holy day was this year on the day of the weekly Sabbath], the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who was crucified with Him.

John 19:32. The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other. NIV

It would seem that from most Biblical translations, the Romans started with the breaking of one of the thieves legs, then went on to the other thief. To come to Christ last, they could not have been crucified in a straight line, or else Christ would have been 2nd.

But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs.
But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you may believe. For these things were done that the Scripture should be fulfilled, "Not one of His bones shall be broken." And again another Scripture says, "They shall look on Him whom they pierced."

Below are some comments made by my friend Barnes that refer that none of the bones of Christ were broken and that his side was struck with a spear.

John 19:36. [That the scripture should be fulfilled] See Ex 12:46. John here regards the paschal lamb as an emblem of Christ; and as in the law it was commanded that a bone of that lamb should not be broken, so, in the providence of God, it was ordered that a bone of the Saviour should not be broken. The Scripture thus received a complete fulfillment respecting both the type and the antitype. Some have supposed, however, that John referred to Ps 34:20.
Ex 12:46. In one house it shall be eaten; you shall not carry any of the flesh outside the house, nor shall you break one of its bones.
Ps 34:20. He guards all his bones; Not one of them is broken.

John 19:37. Another' scripture] Zech 12:10. We must here be struck with the wonderful providence of God, that so many scriptures were fulfilled in his death. All these things happened without any such design on the part of the men engaged in these scenes; but whatever was done by Jew or Gentile tended to the fulfillment of prophecies long on record, and with which the Jews themselves ought to have been familiar. Little did they suppose, when delivering him to Pilate when he was mocked when they parted his garments when they pierced him-that they were fulfilling ancient predictions. But in this way God had so ordered it that the firmest foundation should be laid for the belief that he was the true Messiah, and that the designs of wicked men should all be overruled to the fulfillment of the great plans which God had in sending his Son.
Zech 12:10. And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn. [Barns]

The apostles’ account continues.

Lk23.50.Now, there was a man named Joseph, a council member, a good and just man. He had not consented to their decision and deed. He was from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who himself was also waiting for the kingdom of God. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.
Mk15.44. Pilate marveled that He was already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him if He had been dead for some time. So when he found out from the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph.
Lk23.53.Then he took it down,
Jn19.39 And Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds. Then they took the body of Jesus, and bound it in strips of linen with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury. Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. So there they laid Jesus, because of the Jews' Preparation Day, for the tomb was nearby.

Lk23.55. And the women who had come with Him from Galilee followed after, and they observed the tomb and how His body was laid. Then they returned and prepared spices and fragrant oils. And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.
Mk15.47. And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses observed where He was laid.
Mk15.46.and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre.

End of Friday...and the end of this essay.

Day 8 Part 5 Jesus Bearing His Cross...

We started Friday the 14th of Nisan with Christ and his disciples eating the Passover meal. We read the scriptures that took us through the nighttime supper, reminding us of what Christ said and did. We followed Christ and the 11 disciples from the upper room to where ever they stopped and gathered to hear more of Christ’s teaching and prayers.

From the upper room in Jerusalem we went to the garden on the Mount of Olives, where Christ was arrested and taken to the high priest’s palace in the Temple precinct for a pre-trail hearing. Then as it became light, the dawning of the daytime of the Passover day, Christ was taken into the Temple and then into the chamber of Hewn Stone where sat the Jewish Supreme Court. We then went from the court to the Roman fort to be heard by Pilot and also a short trip to Herod’s for another hearing, then back to Pilot. Pilot did his best to release Christ but the Jews intimidated him, so he therefore sentenced Christ to crucifixion. We left off at Golgotha, the location of the crucifixion.

Friday 14th of Nisan [Wednesday the 12th April 2006].
[The Passover is two days before Good Friday this year].
Passover – Crucifixion

Crucifixion & Death. Israel time.
On the Cross: 9:00am = 11:00pm Tuesday11th April 06 Vancouver time
Death: 3:00pm = 5:00am Wednesday12th April 06 Vancouver time

I could not get very close to the site of the crucifixion because of the crowd the Roman soldiers put a cordon around the perimeter of the crucifixion site. From what others told me who were closer to the crucifixions and from what they could make out, they nailed all three patibulum’s [cross pieces, or plank board] around the circumference of a large tree.

I hesitate to believe that they were all on the same tree because when they stoned the Christ they would have also hit the two thieves. I think that they were hung up on trees that were fairly close together as the thieves were able to have a conversation with Jesus and that the trees were spaced in a triangular to a round formation, so that when Christ was stoned very few if any of the stones hit the thieves.

Modern scholars have tried to determine whether Christ was put on the traditional cross or if he was nailed to a plank board, then the board nailed to a living tree and then his feet nailed to the tree.
There is much evidence that the latter is the case. Part of that evidence I have been able to obtain is below.

The Manner of Christ's Crucifixion. Dr E. Martin. [More detail is given at the end of the day].
John 19:41. Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid.
The garden in Greek can refer to trees, orchard, or plantation. After the beatings Christ received it is most unlikely that Christ carried a 200lb Latin cross. What Christ carried was most likely a board plank that his arms or wrists were nailed to. And that Simon of Cyrene carried the final distance to Golgottha.

The technical name for this board is [patibulum [Latin].

Then there is stake or pole that the cross piece was attached to, called a stauros (stow-ros').

Mk15.21 Mark 8:34. NT: Strong # 4716 stauros (stow-ros'); from the base of Strong # NT:2476; a stake or post (as set upright), i.e. (specifically) a pole or cross Strong's Numbers.
Most commentaries will say Christ was crucified on a "stauros [stow-ros"] Grk. The meaning of this word like a lot of others change with time, it does not have to mean a cross. The original meant a pole or stake. Carry,' lift up and carry along'.

The cross piece or plank board was called a [patibulum]
The pole or stake was called a [stauros] = Grk stow-ros

A man condemned to die by crucifixion was forced to carry the cross-piece (the patibulum) to the place of execution. [from the UBS Handbook Series]. This board was affixed to a living tree.
The crucifixion was a "hurry up" affair as the Jewish traditional Passover began at the end of that day. According to Hastings "Christ & the Gospels"Vol.2.pg749. it was common to nail the victim directly to the tree Acts 5:30. By using a tree as the main support it saved time digging holes for a post. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. Acts.10.39, Acts.13.29, 1Pet.2.24.Tree in Greek = [Xulon] [xoo-lon]. This would indicate to us the tree was living, and the location was in a garden-trees. But Lk.23.26. the cross is called a stauros but stauros means pole. The whole execution device is called stauros, including the patibulum.

Melito of Sardis [2nd century] consistently said the cross of Christ was a tree. He said: just as from a tree came sin, so also from a tree came salvation. [New fragment, 111.4].
It would seem that the patibulum of Christ was nailed to a living tree. John 19:31 The Jews, therefore, that the bodies might not remain on the cross on the Sabbath, since it was the preparation, (for that Sabbath day was a great one, [or Holy Day]) asked of Pilate that their legs may be broken, and they taken away.
Bodies plural-cross singular. Three men on one tree with 3 patibulum.

Jn 19:32 was crucified with. 4957 sustauroothéntos (Interlinear Transliterated Bible). It would seem that there is a good possibility that "Christ was crucified with" the thieves on the same tree.
Mtt 27:38. Then two robbers were crucified with Him, one on the right and another on the left. Jn 19:32-33 32.
Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who was crucified with Him. 33 But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs.
Came to Christ last. If Christ was in the middle, Christ should have been 2nd, not last. But if they were all on one tree with the boards spread around the circumference of the tree & when looking down on a plan view the boards forming almost a triangle shape. Then they could have come to Christ last.

Christ was in the middle of the two thieves and when it was time to break their legs, the soldiers first came to one of the thieves and then to the other thief, then to the Christ last.

If Christ was in the middle of a straight line of trees or the traditional crosses with the pole end buried in the ground, it would not matter from what end the soldiers started, Christ would have been the 2nd person. The two groups of soldiers may have started from both ends and worked toward the middle because they could see and guess that Christ was already dead.

But if the trees were in a rough triangular to round formation, then as the soldiers worked their way around the formation of the three trees, starting with one of the thieves, they would have come to the Christ last. Or as mentioned before, two groups of soldiers could have started with the thieves because Christ gave every indication that he was already dead. He then would have been the last to receive the soldier’s attention in making sure they were all dead.

If Christ were crucified on the traditional cross with pole freshly dug in the ground, there is a good chance that they would have been put in a straight line in military fashion.

After they all were nailed up, some of the people were incited by the religious leaders and began to throw stones at the Christ. This stoning may have been one of the reasons Jesus died before the two thieves and that he was marred (disfigured, beaten) more than the other men. It may also be the reason that Pilot was so surprised that Christ died so early on in the day.

It was hard to see from where I was standing to try and see over the heads of the crowd so I consulted with some scholars at the scene of the crucifixion and the following is what was discussed. Martin/Golgotha Pg.186-188.

What did his tormentors do to him, other than simple crucifixion, that took so much skin and flesh that was torn away from the parts of his body facing them? I realize that such a description may seem offensive to some people, but it is time for all of us to take stock of what the scriptural revelation actually says and not be squeamish about the truth of the crucifixion scene. The prophet Isaiah described the Suffering Servant with his visage and form, marred more than any man. Some people may find it distasteful to imagine Christ in this fashion, but that is what Isaiah wrote and it seems reasonable to accept his description. The apostles certainly did, and several of them were also eyewitnesses to the crucifixion.

What type of judicial punishment could produce such an awful description of the Suffering Servant?
The scourging that Christ was subjected to before his crucifixion cannot account for such mangling since Pilate intended to let him go after the soldiers had chastised him, and from this it shows that Pilate fully believed he would recover (Luke 23:22). No, it was not the beatings that Christ endured under the abuse of the soldiers. There is really only one type of execution that could fit the scriptural descriptions (which was a common one in Jerusalem at the time). Interestingly, it is the only kind of punishment that the Mosaic legislation allowed for capital crimes. What we find in these prophecies is a classic portrayal of a person who was pelted with stones.

There is no doubt that Christ experienced the torment of volleys of small, sharp stones thrown at the front parts of his naked body while he was nailed to the tree of crucifixion. The stones were hurled at his face, at his mid-section and his legs! These must have been like sharp Flintstones (many of which are on the Mount of Olives) that would break the skin and dislodge the flesh but without the force to break his bones. Such volleys of stones hitting his body periodically for almost a six hour period could produce the description of Isaiah: "As many were astonished at thee: his visage [his outward appearance] was so marred more than any man, and his form [so marred] more than the sons of man."

In the Old Testament stoning was the only type of execution that was prescribed for those committing capital crimes. Notice what Hastings’s Dictionary of the Apostolic Church says about the Old Testament legislation concerning stoning.
Stoning was "the pelting of stones by a mob at a person who had merited their ill-will (Exo.8:26; 17:4; II Chron.24:20ff; cf. Heb. 11:37; Acts 5:26) or the infliction of the death penalty by stoning (Lev.20:2; Deut.l3:10). The method which an enraged crowd took of executing vengeance with the weapons lying readiest to their hand came to be employed afterwards as a regular and legal method of inflicting the death sentence on a criminal. Stoning is the ONLY form of capital punishment recognized in the Mosaic Law" (vol.11, pp.528,529 emphases mine).

In the time when Christ was put to death, the Romans forbade the people of Judaea from applying the death penalty on anyone (Johnl8:31). It was Pilate who had the only authority to execute Christ and the Roman method for crimes against the state for non-Romans was normally by crucifixion. And, without doubt, Christ was indeed crucified to a tree. But there was much more to Christ's death than a simple crucifixion. Pilate also permitted the authorities in Jerusalem to kill him according to biblical law. He told them to "take ye him and judge him according to your law" (John 18:31). This was an extraordinary allowance because it subjected Christ to suffer both the Roman method of execution for terrible crimes (the Gentile practice) but it also gave permission to the people of Jerusalem to pelt him with stones in the scriptural (Mosaic) manner. In Leviticus 24:15-18 Moses commanded that all Israelites and aliens in sight of a blasphemer should take up stones and stone the profane and ungodly person to death. The Hebrew actually means that Israel was to "overwhelm" the criminal with countless volleys of stones being thrown at his naked body (Rashi, Commentary, vol.11, p.lll).

It should be remembered that the crime which the authorities in Jerusalem charged against Christ was that of blasphemy (Mark 16:64). This was the most dastardly crime imaginable to the people of Judaea. And the official judgment against him made him worthy of death in the most despicable fashion (Matt.26:65,66). It is interesting that it was Christ's claim that he was the Son of God that made the authorities proclaim him a blasphemer. With such a terrible charge against him, the leaders went to Pilate and asked him to allow Jesus to be killed in the manner prescribed by the Law of Moses. "We have a law, and by that law he ought to die, because he has made himself the Son of God" (John 19:7).

To the authorities, Christ's appraisal of himself was tantamount to blasphemy. The law that they were referring to was that of
Leviticus 24:16. "And he that blasphemcth the name of the Lord [Yahwch], he shall surely be put to death, and all the congregation shall certainly stone him: as well as the stranger, as he that is born in the land, when he blasphemoth the name of the Lord, shall be put to death."

Thus, all the residents of the land (Jews and Gentiles alike) were required to barrage the blasphemer with volleys of stones. During the time of Christ's ministry, many of the people who did not like his teaching had several times tried to carry out this Mosaic Law against him. "Then they took up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going throughout the midst of them, and so passed by" (John 8:59). "Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. Jesus answered them, many good works have I showed you from my Father; for which of those works do you stone me? The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone you not; but for blasphemy; and because you, being a man, make yourself God" (John 10:31-33).

The fact is, time and again the authorities were trying to kill him by stoning. "His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone you; and go you [to Jerusalem] again?" (John 11:8). It is made clear in the Gospel record that the people who were hostile to Christ were looking for every opportunity to stone him for his blasphemy (as they considered it). And they finally got their wish when they went to Pilate and said: "We have a law, and by that law he ought to die" (John 19:7). And Pilate acquiesced to their wishes. "Take you him and judge him according to your law" (John18:31). [Note that all the references in the previous paragraph about the people desiring him to be stoned, are found in the Gospel of John which records the appeals of the authorities to Pilot to have Christ killed according to the law of Moses.

to be continued...

Day 8 Part4...Christ Goes Before Pilate...

Lk23.5-7. But they were the fiercer, saying, "He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, and beginning from Galilee to this place." When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked if the Man were a Galilean. And as soon as he knew that He belonged to Herod's jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time. [Jerusalem was not Herod’s usual abode].

Lk23.8-12. Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad; for he had desired for a long time to see Him, because he had heard many things about Him, and he hoped to see some miracle done by Him. Then he questioned Him with many words, but He answered him nothing. And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused Him. Then Herod, with his men of war, treated Him with contempt and mocked Him, arrayed Him in a gorgeous robe, and sent Him back to Pilate. That very day Pilate and Herod became friends with each other, for previously they had been at enmity with each other.

Lk23.13-17.Then Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests, the rulers, and the people, said to them, "You have brought this Man to me, as one who misleads the people. And indeed, having examined Him in your presence, I have found no fault in this Man concerning those things of which you accuse Him; no, neither did Herod, for I sent you back to him; and indeed nothing deserving of death has been done by Him. I will therefore chastise Him and release Him"(for it was necessary for him to release one to them at the feast).

Jn18.33-38.Then Pilate entered the Praetorium again, called Jesus, and said to Him, "Are You the King of the Jews?" Jesus answered him, "Are you speaking for yourself about this, or did others tell you this concerning Me?"
Pilate answered, "Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered You to me. What have You done?" Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here." Pilate therefore said to Him, "Are You a king then?" Jesus answered, "You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice."Pilate said to Him, "What is truth?" And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews.

Lk23.18-22. And they all cried out at once, saying, "Away with this Man, and release to us Barabbas" — who had been thrown into prison for a certain rebellion made in the city, and for murder. Pilate, therefore, wishing to release Jesus, again called out to them. But they shouted, saying, "Crucify Him, crucify Him!" Then he said to them the third time, "Why, what evil has He done? I have found no reason for death in Him. I will therefore chastise Him and let Him go."

Jn19.7-15.The Jews answered him, "We have a law, and according to our law He ought to die, because He made Himself the “Son of God." Therefore, when Pilate heard that saying, he was the more afraid, and went again into the Praetorium, and said to Jesus, "Where are You from?" But Jesus gave him no answer. Then Pilate said to Him, "Are You not speaking to me? Do You not know that I have power to crucify You, and power to release You?" Jesus answered, "You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above. Therefore the one who delivered Me to you has the greater sin." From then on Pilate sought to release Him, but the Jews cried out, saying, "If you let this Man go, you are not Caesar's friend. Whoever makes himself a king speaks against Caesar." When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus out and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called The Pavement, but in Hebrew, Gabbatha. Now it was the Preparation Day of the Passover, and about the sixth hour. And he said to the Jews, "Behold your King!" But they cried out, "Away with Him, away with Him! Crucify Him!" Pilate said to them, "Shall I crucify your King?" The chief priests answered, "We have no king but Caesar!"

Mt27.24-25. When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, "I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it." And all the people answered and said, "His blood be on us and on our children."
Lk23.23-25.They were insistent, demanding with loud voices that He be crucified. And the voices of these men and of the chief priests prevailed. So Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they requested. And he released to them the one they requested, who for rebellion and murder had been thrown into prison; but he delivered Jesus to their will.

As you will notice above there is a contradiction between the synoptic gospels and John.
This is further proof that the average Jew kept the Passover on a different day than Christ.
Many have to come to the conclusion that John made a mistake, or as the world would say, that the bible has error. This may be the case unless there is an answer. There is a chronological contradiction & a difference from the synoptic gospels. [a general view of the whole) = synoptic]

What is the contradiction?
The synoptic gospels say that Christ was crucified at the 3rd hour = 9:00 am and died the 9th hour
= 3:00 p.m. = 6 hours.
John says, Pilots final judgment concerning Christ's crucifixion was at the 6th hour = noon.

John’s thesis is that Christ was the symbolic Passover lamb that takes away the sins of the world. Much of John is focussed on this theme that Christ is the Passover lamb. We may not like this as it may seem like a cope out, but so much of the bible is symbolic. I give some examples below. E. Martin

Isa 53:7 He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearer’s is silent, So He opened not His mouth.

Jn1:29The next day John [the Baptist] sees Jesus coming to him, and said, Behold the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world.

Jn1:35-36 Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he said, Behold the Lamb of God!

Example of Symbolism below.
Jn1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Dr L Martin.["Secrets of Golgotha."]

A Greek philosopher named Heraclitus first used the term (Word) [NT:3056 Logos] around 600 B.C. to designate the divine reason or plan which coordinates a changing universe. This word was well suited to John's purpose in John 1. Thayer's Greek Lexicon

Taking into account what has been previously discussed, is that Jesus was interrogated, tried in the house of Annas and Caiaphus and the Hall of Hewn Stone, which was on the temple mount just 300 yards from Fort Antonias, so the walking back and forth would not have taken up to much time, as it would have if they had to go to Herod’s palace.

Where was Pilot? I consulted another Rabbi who had the title and name of Dr .E. Martin who said the sentence of the Sanhedren did not end the matter. There were still the Roman authorities that had to be consulted. It was necessary to take Jesus to Pilot, the Roman procurator, for his approval of the judgment. Where was Pilot at the time? Was he in Herod's Palace on the southwestern hill, or among the majority of his troops in the fortress called Antonia situated just outside the north western angle of the Temple enclosure? This fortress named after Mark Anthony by Herod has by far the best credentials. There are good reasons to believe that it was to this Praetorium that Jesus was brought to be finally judged by Pilot.

This can be shown in several ways. On the Holy Days, when many thousands of Jews were gathered at the temple area, it would have been wise for the Roman Procurator to move from Herod’s palace to the fortress of Antonia. This information is stated by Josephus [a Jewish historian, contemporary with Christ] concerning other procurators at other times, so it is most likely that Pilot did the same. Pilot’s wife sent him a message about a dream she had. If Pilot had been at their usual residence of Herod’s palace, then there would be no need to send a message.

I was surprised, and impressed by the efforts of Pilot to give Christ a fair hearing and the benefit of the doubt. The verses below strongly suggest that Pilot was a desperate man, taking extreme measures to release Christ.

Had Pilot found the slightest illegality in the manner of the trial, even from the Jewish point of view, he would no doubt have released Jesus. From my prospective, Pilot bent over backwards to save Jesus, putting all of his efforts together I thought was pretty impressive. See below for the sequence of the events.

Jn18.28 Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the Passover.

Matt 27:15-18. Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to releasing to the multitude one prisoner whom they wished. 16 And at that time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. 17 Therefore, when they had gathered together, Pilate said to them, "Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?" 18 For he knew that they had handed Him over because of envy.

Jn18.29. [1st time] Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this man?

Luke 23:2. And they began to accuse Him, saying, "We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, saying that He Himself is Christ, a King."
Jn18.31.Then said Pilate unto them, Take you him, and judge him according to your law. The Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death:

Jn18.33. [2nd time] Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Are you the King of the Jews?

Lk23.6,11. When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man were a Galilaean. And as soon as he knew that he belonged unto Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem at that time. 11.Sent him again to Pilate.

Lk.23.14-16. said to them, "You have brought this Man to me, as one who misleads the people. And indeed, having examined Him in your presence, I have found no fault in this Man concerning those things of which you accuse Him; 15 no, neither did Herod, for I sent you back to him; and indeed nothing deserving of death has been done by Him. 16 I will therefore chastise Him and release Him"

Matt.27.19. While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, "Have nothing to do with that just Man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of Him."

Jn18.38. [3rd time] Pilate said unto him, what is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and said unto them, I find in him no fault at all.

John 19:1 Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. NIV

John 19:4 [4th time] Pilate therefore went forthagain, and said unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that you may know that I find no fault in him.

Jn19.6. When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate said unto them, Take you him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him.

Jn19.7-8.The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God. When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he was the more afraid;

Jn19.9. [5th time] And went again into the judgment hall, and said unto Jesus, Whence are you? But Jesus gave him no answer.

Jn19.12.And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar's friend: whosoever makes himself a king speaks against Caesar.

Jn19.14-15. And it was the preparation of the Passover, and about the sixth hour: and he said unto the Jews, Behold your King! 15. But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate said unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, we have no king but Caesar.

Matt.27.21-23. The governor answered and said to them, "Which of the two do you want me to release to you?" They said,"Barabbas!"

22 Pilate said to them, "What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?" They all said to him, "Let Him be crucified!"

23 Then the governor said, "Why, what evil has He done?" But they cried out all the more, saying, "Let Him be crucified!"

Matt.27.24 When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, "I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it."

25 And all the people answered and said, "His blood be on us and on our children."

Jn19.19.And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.

The Christ was mocked, ridiculed and beaten by the high priest’s soldiers. Herod’s soldiers mocked him and then the Roman soldiers flogged him.

Mt27.26-31. Then he released Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified. Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole garrison around Him. And they stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him. When they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand. And they bowed the knee before Him and mocked Him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!" Then they spat on Him, and took the reed and struck Him on the head. And when they had mocked Him, they took the robe off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him away to be crucified.

Through Fort Antonia’s east gate they took the Christ then down the slope to the Red Heifer bridge that crossed the creek Kidron at the bottom of the Kidron valley.
When the procession of Roman soldiers, followers and the crowds, including the religious leaders, reached almost to the top of mount Olives on the west side, they came upon an outcrop of rock shaped like a skull, called Golgotha which had many trees around it.

There were three prisoners, the Christ and two others who were thieves. They all were forced to carry a cross piece except Jesus who had his cross piece carried by someone else, who was forced to carry it, walking along behind Him. Lk23.26.

Lk23.26-32. Now as they led Him away, they laid hold of a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, the father of Alexander & Rufus who was coming from the country, and on him they laid the cross that he might bear it after Jesus. And a great multitude of the people followed Him, and women who also mourned and lamented Him. But Jesus, turning to them, said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For indeed the days are coming in which they will say, 'Blessed are the barren, wombs that never bore, and breasts which never nursed!' Then they will begin 'to say to the mountains, "Fall on us!" and to the hills, "Cover us!"' For if they do these things in the green wood, what will be done in the dry?" There were also two others, criminals, led with Him to be put to death.

Greek: NT:4716 [staurós] (stow-ros') = Cross. Is an upright "stake" such as is used in fences or palisades.
(from Theological Dictionary of the New Testament,

For a interpretation of the expression “For if they do these things in the green wood, what will be done in the dry” I asked my friend Barnes, the following is his answer.

Luke 23:31. This seems to be a proverbial expression. A "green" tree is not easily set on fire; a dry one is easily kindled and burns rapidly; and the meaning of the passage is - "If they, the Romans, do these things to me, who am innocent and blameless; if they punish me in this manner in the face of justice, what will they not do in relation to this guilty nation? What security have they that heavier judgments will not come upon them? What desolations and woes may not be expected when injustice and oppression have taken the place of justice, and have set up a rule over this wicked people?" Our Lord alludes, evidently, to the calamities that would come upon them by the Romans in the destruction of their city and temple. The passage may be applied, however, without impropriety, and with great beauty and force, to the punishment of the wicked in the future world.

Jn19.17-22.They went out to a place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha, where they crucified Him, and two others with Him, one on either side, and Jesus in the center. Now Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross. And the writing was: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. Then many of the Jews read this title, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin. Therefore the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, "Do not write, 'The King of the Jews,' but, 'He said, "I am the King of the Jews."'" Pilate answered, "What I have written, I have written."

to be continued...

Day 8 Part 3... Going to the Temple...

The Temple at the time of Christ. A) Holy of Holies, B) Outer Holy Place, C) Outer Curtain, D) Altar of Burnt Offering, E) Slaughter Areas, F) Chamber of Hewn Stone (Sanhedrin Hall), G) Counsellor's Chamber, H) House of Abtinas, I) Chamber of Wood, J) Court of Priests, K) Court of Israel, L) Steps to Nicanor Gate, M) Eastern Gate. Diagram by Norman Tenedora.

Re-Capping.
Last time we started at Friday the 14th of Nisan with Christ and his disciples eating the Passover meal.

We read the scriptures that took us through the nighttime supper, reminding us of what Christ said and did.

We followed Christ and the 11 disciples from the upper room to (where ever) they stopped and gathered to hear more of Christ’s teaching and prayers. Jesus went from (that) place in Jerusalem to the garden on the Mount of Olives, where Christ was arrested and taken to the Temple complex for a pre-trail and then as it became light, the dawning of the daytime of the Passover day as we concluded.

We now pick up the story of when Christ is taken from the Palace of the High Priest, to inside the Temple itself, and then into the Chamber of Hewn Stone within the Temple, for the official trail of the Jewish supreme court.

Friday 14th of Nisan [Wednesday the 12th April 2006].
[The Passover is two days before Good Friday this year].
Passover – Crucifixion

Crucifixion & Death. Israel time.
On the Cross: 9:00am = 11:00pm Tuesday11th April 06 Vancouver time
Death: 3:00pm = 5:00am Wednesday12th April 06 Vancouver time

Luke 22:66 As soon as it was day, the elders of the people, both chief priests and scribes, came together and led Him into their council.
Matt 26:59. Now the chief priests, the elders, and all the council sought false testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but found none. Even though many false witnesses came forward, they found none.
Mk14.56 For many bore false witness against Him, but their testimonies did not agree.
Mt26.60-67. But at last two false witnesses came forward and said, "This fellow said, 'I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.'" And the high priest arose and said to Him, "Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against You?" But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest answered and said to Him, "I put You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!" Jesus said to him, "It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven." Then the high priest tore his clothes, saying, "He has spoken blasphemy! What further need do we have of witnesses? Look, now you have heard His blasphemy! What do you think?" They answered and said, "He is deserving of death."
Mk14.65. Then some began to spit on Him, and to blindfold Him, and to beat Him, and to say to Him, "Prophesy!" And the officers struck Him with the palms of their hands. Mt26.68. saying, "Prophesy to us, Christ! Who is the one who struck You?"

Arthur Action reporting.
From the bottom drawing on the page 1 we see the place of the “Chamber of Hewn Stone”, and the eastern entrance of the Temple. East is facing the Mount of Olives. The bridge in the 2nddrawing on page 2 goes across the Kidron stream, which is between the Temple mount and the Mount of Olives.

Christ was taken from the Temple across the double colonnades which was 600 feet long that connected the Temple and the fort as seen in the 2nd drawing.

Pilot came out to the Jews because they did not want to go into the fort for fear of being disqualified for the Passover.
As stated above the distance was only 600 plus feet. The longest distance Christ traveled at the time of his trials was to the residence of Herod, which is not known for sure, but would have to have been fairly close as to have Christ on the cross by 9:00am in the morning.

From the fort, he went through the east gate and across the Red Heifer Bridge then up to nearly the top of Mount of Olives. The photo on page 3 gives a realistic view from the Mount of Olives to the Temple mount.

The Temple would have been approximately in the far left of the picture, a little higher than the “Dome of the Rock”. The Temple towers’ south-eastern wall came out of the bottom of the Kidron Valley so that it incorporated the Gihon springs.

Jn18.28.We now see proof that the average Jews had not yet eaten the Passover and it is now early morning of the 14th of Nisan. Christ had already eaten it in the early hours of the previous night.

The only thing that could keep a Jew from keeping the Passover was coming in contact with a dead body. Now these religious leaders did not want to go into Fort Antonia as it was like a small Roman village within the boundaries of Jerusalem and there was always the threat that there was a dead body of someone that had not been buried yet. I again consulted with my new buddy Barnes and his explanation was as follows:
This defilement, produced by contact with a Gentile, they (the Jews) considered as equivalent to that of the contact of a dead body (Lev 22:4-6; Num 5:2), and as disqualifying them to partake of the Passover in a proper manner.

Jn18.28-32.Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas to the Praetorium, and it was early morning. But they themselves did not go into the Praetorium, lest they should be defiled, but that they might eat the Passover. Pilate then went out to them and said, "What accusation do you bring against this Man?" They answered and said to him, "If He were not an evildoer, we would not have delivered Him up to you." Then Pilate said to them, "You take Him and judge Him according to your law." Therefore the Jews said to him, "It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death," that the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled which He spoke, signifying by what death He would die.

I also looked up in the library some information on a scroll called the Pulpit Commentary and a scroll from Thayer, about the customs of the Romans at the times of the Jewish holy days. From what I could gather, Pilot was in the palace of Herod under ‘normal’ conditions, but in the fort at the time of the Holy days so he would be on hand if there was any trouble. Rumour has it that Pilots wife sent him a message, I believe it came from Herod’s palace, which would mean that Herod’s palace was their permanent residence.

From the Jerusalem Library (Pulpit Jn18.v28)

Praetorium – Pre-to-ri-um, to the imperial palace of the Roman governor. The word is used primarily for the general's tent in the Roman camps, and for the legal residence of the chief of a province. Now, the ordinary residence of the Roman governors was at Caesarea, but at the time of the great feasts they were in the habit of going up to Jerusalem, and at a later time than this (Josephus, 'Bell. Jud.,' 2:14. 8; 15:5) the governors utilized for this purpose the former palace of Herod, a gorgeous residence in the upper city. It is, however, more probable that Pilate occupied the palace of the Castle of Antonia, overlooking the northwest corner of the temple area, and having means of direct communication with it. Edersheim inclines to the palace of Herod, this from the high-priestly palace to the castle they led Jesus. It was early and is equivalent to the fourth watch of the night, between three and six o'clock. The breadth of the phrase would cover the period of the hurried council (see Matt 27.1; Mark 15:1.) and the session of Pilate. The Roman judgments were often conducted in early morning (Seneca, 'De Ira,' 2:7) - prima luce.] The council having in their indecent haste conveyed Jesus to the Praetorium, while (and17) they themselves went not into the Praetorium, 18 lest they should be defiled.

My friend Barnes gave me some very enlightening information on how time was measured in the days of Christ.

Matt 14:25. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.
[And in the fourth watch of the night] The Jews anciently divided the night into three parts of four hours each, usually called watches. The first of these watches is mentioned in Lam 2:19, the middle watch in Judg 7:19, and the morning watch in Ex 14:24. In the time of our Saviour they divided the night into four watches, the fourth having been introduced by the Romans. These watches consisted of three hours each.

The first commenced at six and continued until nine; the second from nine to twelve; the third from twelve to three; and the fourth from three to six.
The first was called evening; the second midnight; the third cock-crowing; the fourth morning, Mark 13:35.

It is probable that the term watch was given to each of these divisions from the practice of placing sentinels around the camp in time of war, or in cities, to watch or guard the camp or city; and that they were at first relieved three times in the night, but under the Romans four times. It was in the last of these watches, or between three and six in the morning, that Jesus appeared to the disciples, so that he had spent most of the night alone on the mountain in prayer.

Mark 15:25. (1) The Jews divided both the night and the day into four equal parts of three hours each. See the notes at Matt 14:25.

The first division of the day commenced at six o'clock in the morning, and ended at nine; the second commenced at nine and ended at twelve, etc. "The third" hour mentioned by Mark would therefore correspond with our nine o'clock; the "sixth" hour mentioned by John would correspond with our twelve, or noon.

4232 (Thayer) praitorion-
1) "headquarters" in a Roman camp, the tent of the commander-in-chief
2) the palace in which the governor or procurator of a province resided, to which use the Romans were accustomed to appropriate the palaces already existing, and formerly dwelt in by kings or princes; at Jerusalem it was a magnificent palace which Herod the Great had built for himself, and which the Roman procurators seemed to have occupied whenever they came from Caesarea to Jerusalem to transact public business
3) The camp of the Praetorian soldiers established by Tiberius

As soon as the religious leaders and the crowd mentioned Galilee, Pilot thought that he had a “out” because that would put Christ in Herod’s jurisdiction, so Pilot send Christ over to Herod.

It is difficult to say for sure where Herod, the Tetrarch(ruler) for the Galilean area was, he would not have been at his own palace as Pilot had taken that over. Lk23.6. But Herod had come to the Passover and the feast, meaning he resided some where else for most of the year. It is more probable he went to the palace of the Hasmoneans which lay lower down on the eastern slope of this southwest hill, where at a later time Josephus [a Jewish historian, contemporary with Christ] expressly states that Herod Agrippa II and his sister Bernice were living. (Wars, II, xvi)(Int Standard Enc)
Herod would not have been in the fort as a guest of Pilot as they did not get along with each other. Herod had to be close to the temple and Fort Antonia for Christ to be on that cross by 9:00am. Especially, when you think that he had to walk, after a sleepless night and a whipping at Fort Antonia, out of the east gate of the fort, down and across the red heifer bridge, and then the climb up to near the summit of the Mount of Olives, where he was crucified.

I called upon my friend Barnes again to give me more information on this situation.
[Herod's jurisdiction] Herod Antipas, a son of Herod the Great. This was the same Herod that put John the Baptist to death. Jesus had passed the most of his life in the part of the country where he ruled, and it was, therefore, considered that he belonged to his jurisdiction-- that is, that it belonged to Herod, not to Pilate, to try this cause.
[Herod with his men of war] With his soldiers, or his body-guard. It is probable that in traveling he had "a guard" to attend him constantly.

to be continued...

Day 8, part 2 Jesus Prays For Us....

Jn17.1-5. Jesus Prays for Himself. Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: "Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.

Jn17:6-19. Jesus Prays for His Disciples. "I have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. Now they have known that all things which You have given Me are from You. For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You; and they have believed that You sent Me. "I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours. And all Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them. Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are. While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.
But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth.

Jn17.20-26. Jesus Prays for All Believers. "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. "Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me. And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them."

Jn18.1. When Jesus had spoken these words, He went out with His disciples over the Brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which He and His disciples entered.

Jesus and the disciples are now on the Mount of Olives, in the garden of Gethsemane.

Mt26.36-46.Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, "Sit here while I go and pray over there." And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. Then He said to them, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me." He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, "O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will."
Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, "What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, "O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done." And He came and found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy. So He left them, went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. Then He came to His disciples and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand."

The scholars McClintock and Strong told me that the plan to capture Christ involved the assemblage of a large number of the Jews by night, but Roman jealousy forbade such a thing, except under the surveillance of a military officer. An arrangement was accordingly made for a military force, which would naturally be drawn from the Fort Antonia.
At the appointed hour Judas comes and brings with him "the troops" (detachment of soldiers) and together with a number of police under the orders of the high priests and Pharisees, arrest Jesus. (John 18:3). When the actual apprehension of Jesus takes place, however, there is scarcely any reference to the presence of the military.

Jn18:2-9. And Judas, who betrayed Him, also knew the place; for Jesus often met there with His disciples. Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops, and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons. Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, "Whom are you seeking?" They answered Him, "Jesus of Nazareth." Jesus said to them, "I am He." And Judas, who betrayed Him, also stood with them. Now when He said to them, "I am He," they drew back and fell to the ground. Then He asked them again, "Whom are you seeking?" And they said, "Jesus of Nazareth." Jesus answered, "I have told you that I am He. Therefore, if you seek Me, let these go their way," that the saying might be fulfilled which He spoke, "Of those whom You gave Me I have lost none." Jn6.39 & Jn17.12.

Lk22.47-53. And while He was still speaking, behold, a multitude; and he who was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them and drew near to Jesus to kiss Him. But Jesus said to him, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?" When those around Him saw what was going to happen, they said to Him, "Lord, shall we strike with the sword?" And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear.
But Jesus answered and said, "Permit even this." And He touched his ear and healed him. Then Jesus said to the chief priests, captains of the temple, and the elders who had come to Him, "Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs? When I was with you daily in the temple, you did not try to seize Me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness."

Members of the Roman force or the Jewish guard are meant by the “And the young men”.
It would appear that all the disciples fled and this certain young man was someone else who had followed Christ and the disciples, or else someone who was in the garden and was attracted by the commotion of the arrest. Some suggest it may have been Mark. (Quest Study Bible)

Mk14.50-52. Then they all forsook Him and fled. Now a certain young man followed Him, having a linen cloth thrown around his naked body. And the young men laid hold of him, and he left the linen cloth and fled from them naked.

After some time in the garden I heard the approach of a large group of people and when they came close, I could see that there was a detachment of Roman soldiers along with what I believe was the temple guard. One out of the group came forward and put his arms around the Christ, and then a scuffle broke out, the disciples ran off and the Christ was taken away being bound.

Jn18.12-14. Then the detachment of troops and the captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound Him. And they led Him away to Annas first, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas who was high priest that year. Now it was Caiaphas who advised the Jews that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.

The Christ was taken back to the temple complex, into what is known as the high priests courtyard. From the garden I followed close behind the soldiers and behind me were Peter and John.
John seemed to have connections with the high priest as he was allowed into the courtyard and Peter and I were left outside. Later on John was able to get Peter and myself into the courtyard. Once in, we were able to get some relief from the cold night as the servants had a fire going. Peter was asked if he knew the Christ but Peter denied that he did. Apparently the Christ had predicted that Peter would say 3 times that he did not know Jesus.
When there is a holy day or an annual Sabbath, which is one and the same, there is a requirement that there be a back up high priest in case the high priest gets sick or something like that. Annas was the deputy for this year, so the soldiers took Christ to see him first. It was all in one palace or house as a wall surrounded it and they shared the same courtyard; it was just that Annas and Caiaphas lived in different sections of the palace.

Jn18.15-18. And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Now that disciple was known to the high priest, and went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest. But Peter stood at the door outside. Then the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to her who kept the door, and brought Peter in. Then the servant girl who kept the door said to Peter, "You are not also one of this Man's disciples, are you?" He said, "I am not." [1st time] Now the servants and officers who had made a fire of coals stood there, for it was cold, and they warmed themselves. And Peter stood with them and warmed himself.

After questioning Jesus in the house-palace of the high priest, the meeting was adjourned to daylight and moved to the chamber of the Sanhedrin because, by law, all capital crimes had to take place in the daytime in these chambers. The distance between the palace and chambers was about 50 yards as the chambers were in the Temple itself. It was located at what was known as the Chamber of Hewn Stone, which was about 40 yards south east of the entrance of the Holy Place. Half of the Sanhedrin hall was in the Court of the Israelites and half was in the court of the priests.

Jn 18.19-24.The high priest then asked Jesus about His disciples and His doctrine. Jesus answered him, "I spoke openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where the Jews always meet, and in secret I have said nothing. Why do you ask Me? Ask those who have heard Me what I said to them. Indeed they know what I said." And when He had said these things, one of the officers who stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, "Do You answer the high priest like that?" Jesus answered him, "If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil; but if well, why do you strike Me?" Then Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.
Jn18.25-26. Now Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. Therefore they said to him, "You are not also one of His disciples, are you?" He denied it and said, "I am not!" [2nd time] One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of him whose ear Peter cut off, said, "Did I not see you in the garden with Him?"
1Mk14.71.Then he began to curse and swear, Peter then denied again; [3rd time] "I do not know this Man of whom you speak!" and immediately a rooster crowed.
Lk22.61. And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, "Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times."
Mk14:72. A second time the rooster crowed. Then Peter called to mind the word that Jesus had said to him, "Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times." And when he thought about it, he wept.

Some believe that the trial and interrogation was illegal because they believe that the house of Caiaphus was his usual home and that Pilot was in Herod’s palace when giving judgment.
It would seem to me that if God is as holy and righteous as is claimed, he would have no need to rely on a kangaroo court to fulfill one of the major events in all of history. Surely it would by the book, every thing done in a legal manner.

The following is the opinion of a modern day scholar.

It was absolutely essential that Jesus was tried and convicted in a legal manner in order to fulfill all the laws and types of the Old Testament. This is a matter of profound theological importance. Look at it for a moment: Had Christ's death not been legal, then what he did for Christians and the world by dying for their sins (as the New Testament attests that he did) would have to be put aside as not legally proper. In no way would Peter or Paul have accepted such a proposition. If his death were not legal, then his atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world would also not be legal! But when Christ died on the tree of crucifixion, all legal requirements of the Law of Moses had been met. The fact that some witnesses perjured themselves is of no consequence to the issue because, even in legal trials this happens, but it does not make the trial illegal. (Golgotha, Martin, p235)

Another case for these locations is that the location of Caiaphus's house, temporary house or palace [sometimes called the house or palace of the high priest] was in the temple precincts at the time of the feast days, as was required for feast days. Also the hall of Hewn Stone, [the council or Sanhedrin which is in the Temple and within the temple precincts] is where the trial was conducted during daylight hours. With Pilot being at the Fort Antonia, [which was adjacent to the temple on the north side] we know that these proceedings were then according to the law of Moses. To get Christ on the cross by 9:00am, all locations concerned had to be close to each other.

Lk22.63-71.Now the men who held Jesus mocked Him and beat Him. And having blindfolded Him, they struck Him on the face and asked Him, saying, "Prophesy! Who is the one who struck You?" And many other things they blasphemously spoke against Him.
As soon as it was day, the elders of the people, both chief priests and scribes, came together and led Him into their council.

The nighttime of the Passover day is now over. We now come to the daylight period of the 14th of Nisan the day of the crucifixion. [Wednesday the 12th of April 2006].

to be continued...

Day 8 Part 1...The Lord's Passover Supper...

Re-Capping.
We saw that Christ started his final journey to Jerusalem on Friday from most likely the small town of Ephraim, because it was in Ephraim that Christ holed up in after he raised Lazarus from the dead. At this time the religious authorities made up their minds to put Him to death. Not long after this, the Passover was coming up.
From Ephraim he went to Jericho and stayed there until Sunday morning, because when he came to Jericho the Sabbath was about to start. Sunday morning he starts on his journey to Jerusalem from Jericho and arrives in Bethany on the Mount of Olives late in the day and lodges with his friend Lazarus for the rest of the week, and from here he goes daily into the Temple to teach. Monday he goes into Jerusalem on the colt. [Palm Sunday]

Tuesday, Christ puts the merchants out of the Temple. Wednesday he goes to the Temple as usual and is assailed by all the different groups of the religious authorities. Christ then proves their accusations false and proceeds to tell the religious authorities what they were really like. Christ and the disciples leave the Temple late in the day and go to the Mount of Olives, and there Christ educates the disciples in the end time prophecies.
Thursday after being defeated in the Temple verbally by Christ, the religious authorities plot to seize Christ and by false witnesses to have him put to death.

Christ then sends some of his disciples to prepare for the Passover meal that takes place our Thursday evening –night. The Jews start their day at approximately sundown. We now come to the final day of the life of Christ, the night of the 14th of Nisan, the day of the Passover. We now begin with the Passover supper.

Friday 14th of Nisan [Wednesday the 12th April 2006].
[The Passover is two days before Good Friday this year].
Passover – Crucifixion

Crucifixion & Death. Israel time.
On the Cross: 9:00am = 11:00pm Tuesday11th April 06 Vancouver time
Death: 3:00pm = 5:00am Wednesday12th April 06 Vancouver time

Arthur Action Reporting. [Day 8]
Jesus Christ eats the Passover meal with his disciples.
I was not able to get into this private Passover meal but I was able to interview a couple of the disciples at the end of the day after the crucifixion, and get from them what was said and done.
The evening, as I said earlier, is the beginning of the day.
One thing that impressed me was that the Christ had washed the feet of his betrayer Judas even though he already knew that Judas had betrayed him.

Mt26.20. When evening had come, He sat down with the twelve.
John 13:2-17. As supper was being eaten, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray Him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself.

After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, "Lord, are You washing my feet?" Jesus answered and said to him, "What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this." Peter said to Him, "You shall never wash my feet!" Jesus answered him, "If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me." Simon Peter said to Him, "Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!" Jesus said to him, "He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you."

Christ may have been refereeing to Jn15.3. [John 15:3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you]. Christ demonstrates one of the purposes of his ministry, and the backbone for our own ministries, namely, humility and servitude.

For He knew who would betray Him; therefore He said, "You are not all clean." So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

Jn13.18-30. Jesus said. “I do not speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen; but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, 'He who eats bread with Me has lifted up his heel against Me.' [Ps 41:9 Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, Who ate my bread, Has lifted up his heel against me].

Now I tell you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe that I am He. Most assuredly, I say to you, he who receives whomever I send receives Me; and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me." When Jesus had said these things, He was troubled in spirit, and testified and said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me." Then the disciples looked at one another, perplexed about whom He spoke. Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask who it was of whom He spoke. Then, leaning back on Jesus' breast, he said to Him, "Lord, who is it?"

Jesus answered, "It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it." And having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, "What you do, do quickly." But no one at the table knew for what reason He said this to him.

For some thought, because Judas had the moneybox, that Jesus had said to him, "Buy those things we need for the feast," or that he should give something to the poor. Having received the piece of bread, he then went out immediately. And it was night.

Supper was still going on after Christ had washed their feet and then Judas left the Passover celebration. It should be noted that it was night when Judas left which was the correct time for the Passover to be eaten. At this time Christ gives a new commandment.

Jn13.31-35. So, when he had gone out, Jesus said, "Now the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in Him.
If God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify Him in Himself, and glorify Him immediately. Little children, I shall be with you a little while longer. You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, 'Where I am going, you cannot come,' so now I say to you. A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

Mt26.26-29. Jesus Institutes the Lord's Supper. Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, "Take, eat; this is My body." Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom."

Lk 22. 24-30. Now there was also a dispute among them, as to which of them should be considered the greatest.And He said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called 'benefactors.' But not so among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves. For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the One who serves. "But you are those who have continued with Me in My trials. And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one upon Me, that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel."

This is not the first time the disciples expressed their hunger for power & authority, are these guys just in this movement for what they can get out of it? Time will tell. Mt20.24.

Lk22.31-34.And the Lord said, "Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat.
But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren." But he said to Him, "Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death." Then He said, "I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me."

Lk22.35-38. He said to them, "When I sent you without money bag, knapsack, and sandals, did you lack anything?" So they said, "Nothing." Then He said to them, "But now, he who has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a knapsack; and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one. For I say to you that this which is written must still be accomplished in Me: 'And He was numbered with the transgressors.' For the things concerning Me have an end." So they said, "Lord, look, here are two swords." And He said to them, "It is enough."

Jn14.1-6. "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know." Thomas said to Him, "Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?" Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Jn14.7-11. The Father Revealed. "If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him." Philip said to Him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us." Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves.

Jn14.12-14. "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.

Jn14.15-18. Jesus Promises Another Helper. "If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. "A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also. At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.

He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him." Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, "Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?" Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father's who sent Me.

Jn14.25-31. "These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. You have heard Me say to you, 'I am going away and coming back to you.' If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said, 'I am going to the Father,' for My Father is greater than I. "And now I have told you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe. I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me. But that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father gave Me commandment, so I do. Arise, let us go from here.

Mt26.30. And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

They finally came out after I waited and watched while the supper was in progress and I shadowed the eleven as they went toward the Mount of Olives. I was able to fall in behind and within hearing distance I overheard the following conversation before they reached the garden of Gethsemane.

This idea of “in me” as oneness. It may be difficult to express the idea of one person being in another person. It may be best expressed as "lives in" or "is united with" or even "is one with." As in many similar contexts, expressions involving one person being in another may be expressed as "just like one"; for example, "I and my Father are just like one person, and you and I are just like one person."
(from the UBS Handbook Series.)

Jn15.1-8. The True Vine. "I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

Jn.15.9-17. Love and Friends. "As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. These things I command you, that you love one another.

Jn15.18-25. The World's Hatred. "If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for My name's sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me.
If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. He who hates Me hates My Father also. If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would have no sin; but now they have seen and also hated both Me and My Father. But this happened that the word might be fulfilled which is written in their law, 'They hated Me without a cause.' [Ps 69:4 Those who hate me without a cause Are more than the hairs of my head; They are mighty who would destroy me, Being my enemies wrongfully; Though I have stolen nothing, I still must restore it.

Jn15.26-27. "But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning.

Jn16.1-4. Jesus Warns and Comforts His Disciples. "These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble. They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service. And these things they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor Me. But these things I have told you, that when the time comes, you may remember that I told you of them. "And these things I did not say to you at the beginning, because I was with you.

Jn16:5-15. The Work of the Holy Spirit. "But now I go away to Him who sent Me, and none of you asks Me, 'Where are You going?' But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they do not believe in Me; of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. "I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.

Jn16.16-24. Sorrow Will Turn to Joy. "A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me, because I go to the Father." Then some of His disciples said among themselves, "What is this that He says to us, 'A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me'; and, 'because I go to the Father'?" They said therefore, "What is this that He says, 'A little while'? We do not know what He is saying." Now Jesus knew that they desired to ask Him, and He said to them, "Are you inquiring among yourselves about what I said, 'A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me'? Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy.
A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow because her hour has come; but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you. "And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

Jn16.25-33. Jesus Christ Has Overcome the World. "These things I have spoken to you in figurative language; but the time is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figurative language, but I will tell you plainly about the Father. In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I shall pray the Father for you; for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came forth from God. I came forth from the Father and have come into the world. Again, I leave the world and go to the Father.
"His disciples said to Him, "See, now You are speaking plainly, and using no figure of speech! Now we are sure that You know all things, and have no need that anyone should question You. By this we believe that You came forth from God." Jesus answered them, "Do you now believe? Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

The synoptic gospels are brief in their information as to what went on and what was said between the end of the supper and arriving at the Mount of Olives. They appear to jump from the Passover supper to the Mount of Olives.

It is logical to reason that they would have stopped in their walk from the supper room to the Mount of Olives to listen and gather around while Christ prayed.
John in 14.31 states that they “leave”. This would have been the guest-chamber.
Then in 18.1, it says they “went out”. The question is, went out from where? A suggestion from the Pulpit Commentary, is stated below.


He went forth with his disciples; i.e. from the resting-place chosen by him on his way from the "guest-chamber" to the Valley of Kedron; it may have been from some corner of the vast temple area, or some sheltered spot under the shadow of its walls, where he uttered his wondrous discourse and intercession. Pulpit Commentary,

To Be Continued...