Jesus left the upper room with His disciples and they headed to the Mount of Olives. They went to the garden of Gethsemene though Luke doesn’t name the place. There Jesus asked His disciples to pray that they would not fall into temptation. This was going to be a time of great testing for them and Peter had already shown a self-confidence that he would not fall where Jesus had warned he would. Jesus then withdrew a short way away and prayed in His humanity that by some way He might not have to go through the suffering and death He was destined for but He remained resolutely committed to the Father’s will. An angel was sent to strengthen Him. He continued to pray in agony and with such fervour that his sweat was like drops of blood. When Jesus returned to His disciples he found them sleeping. He again encouraged them to be spiritually alert and pray that they would not fall into temptation.

While Jesus was still speaking to His disciples, a crowd came to arrest Him. Judas came up to identify Jesus with a kiss and Jesus confronted Him directly on the deception of a kiss of betrayal. The disciples sought to defend themselves and Peter even lashed out cutting off the ear of the high priest’s servant’s ear. But Jesus wasn’t going to put up a fight. He wasn’t going to put up any defense. Instead, He continued to show compassion by healing the servant’s ear. Then Jesus asked the crowd a question to reveal their disposition. He had taught openly in the temple but they came cowardly in secret. This was their time, a limited time for darkness to prevail—but not ultimately.

How much praying do you do before you embark on anything of significance? Do you agonise in prayer even if you know God’s will? Do you tend to move ahead with self-confidence rather than a prayer-filled God-confidence?

Jesus warned Peter that Satan was going to test the disciples and try to cause them to be unfaithful. Jesus used Peter’s pre-Christian name, Simon, perhaps because he was going to revert to some behaviours that were present before he began following Jesus. Note that Satan simply entered Judas (Luke 22:3) but here he is looking for permission or an opportunity to unsettle the disciples, similar to Job 1-2. Jesus’ prayer for Peter is not to keep him saved but rather to keep him from a spiritual defeat that would hinder his future service in ministry. Peter denied his future denial and declared that he was ready to follow Jesus to prison and to death. But Jesus told him that he would deny knowing Him three times before the rooster crowed. Some temptations and trials may test our faith to the core. We can rest assured that our salvation is based in the Saviour, not our faithfulness, and know that if we are steadfast we will emerge strengthened for service.

Jesus reminded His disciples of a time when He sent them out without any provisions (Luke 9:3) and they never lacked anything. Now things were different. The disciples were going to face opposition and persecution. They needed provisions including personal protection. This couldn’t be a call to arms because if Jesus considered two swords enough for the twelve of them, that would not be enough to take on the Legions of Rome. It’s not easy to know exactly what Jesus meant with the reference to the swords and His closing words. It is possible that He was speaking metaphorically and when the disciples misunderstood Him, He responded bringing an end to the discussion (see Deu 3:6). Leaving the upper room, Jesus knew that Scripture had to be fulfilled that night and He was going to die with and for sinners (Isaiah 53:12). Jesus had been considered a popular teacher and was now going to be treated as a common criminal. As believers in Jesus, we can expect that we may be treated the same way and be prepared for that. The answer is not to trust in swords, but to move forward in the power of God’s word that is the true spiritual sword (Eph 6:17; Heb 4:12).

Jesus reclined at the table with His apostles to eat the Passover meal (culturally they didn’t sit at a table). Jesus expressed a deep desire to have spent this final time with His disciples easting the Passover meal together before His time of suffering. Jesus explained that this was the last time He would eat and drink in celebration until the kingdom finally arrives when He returns. Jesus took the bread and gave it a new symbolism. It represented His body which He gave for us. In this meal, Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper or Communion as celebrated by Christians today. He also took the cup and said that it now symbolised the new covenant in His blood. Jesus explained how His body and His blood were given for all at the table while Judas, who would betray Him, was still there. If Jesus gave His life for Judas, His betrayer, then His death is clearly for every sinner. Then Jesus spoke of His imminent betrayal. Judas was clearly trusted by all the disciples because no one suspected who the betrayer might be. While God had planned that Jesus would suffer at the hands of a betrayer, Judas was not innocent of his own sinful choice. While God, in His sovereignty, may choose to use the sinful actions of men to accomplish His will, that does not mean they are not guilty of their sin. Sometimes our sinful actions by God’s grace lead to positive outcomes. Let’s be careful not to confuse God’s grace with acceptance of our actions.

Did Jesus’ suggestion that one of the disciples was a betrayer lead them to start comparing each other and that to an argument of who was the greatest? Jesus interrupted their argument and pointed out that the Gentiles exercised lordship over them but they were not to act that way. Instead of wanting to be the greatest, followers of Jesus should seek to serve one another. Jesus had been an example to them as one who serves. Let us all follow Jesus’ example of service.

The apostles didn’t need to argue. They would have positions of honour in the coming kingdom because they were with Jesus through His trials (except Judas who had left at this point). Those who remain with Jesus and persevere in their faith will also be rewarded. We will not be rewarded because we are great but because we serve greatly (and gratefully).

The Feast of Unleavened Bread and Passover had become intricately linked in New Testament times. The Jewish leaders continued to look for how they could put Jesus to death but knew that a public arrest could be a problem with the people who were gathering to listen to Jesus. They needed an insider to help them.

At this point, Satan comes to the fore in the story and begins a full-on attack on Jesus. Satan’s efforts in killing Jesus were his own downfall because through Jesus’ death and resurrection He conquered Satan and death (Col 2:15; Heb 2:14). Satan entered Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, who went to work with the Jewish leaders to work out a way to betray Jesus. Judas approached the leaders, not the other way around. The only indication the Bible gives for Judas’s motive for betraying Jesus is his apparent love of money (John 12:1-8). Luke has warned time and again throughout his gospel of the negative effects money has on our ability to follow God. Judas accepted money in exchange for finding a way to betray Jesus away from the crowds.

As the Jewish leaders and Judas begin preparations to sacrifice Jesus (the ultimate Passover Lamb), Jesus and His disciples prepare to sacrifice the Passover lamb. Jesus sent Peter and John to prepare the Passover meal so they could eat it together. They asked where Jesus wanted it prepared and He told them what they could expect to find. They would find a man carrying water which would be unusual culturally. They were to follow him and ask the master of the house he entered where the guest room was where they could prepare the Passover for the Teacher to eat with His disciples. While it is likely that Jesus had prearranged the guest room with the owner of the house, Jesus still shows his divine foreknowledge in knowing where, when, and what the servant with the jar of water would be doing. Peter and John went and found everything exactly as Jesus had described and they prepared the Passover.

Imagine how much their faith in Jesus’ words must have grown every time Jesus told the disciples to expect something and it happened exactly as He said it would. We too can grow our faith when we take Jesus at His Word, do what the Bible says, and then see the results. What is the next step that you need to take in your walk of faith?

Proverbs is a collection of wise sayings that are easily applied to everyday situations. Consider carefully which of the sayings you’ve read today are particularly applicable to you today and in the coming week. What do you need to change or do more of to make use of God’s wisdom in your life?

Jesus concluded His discussion about the end times preceding His return with a parable. Israel was often compared to a fig tree. By referring to a fig tree and all the trees Jesus may have been speaking to Israel and other nations making this more universal. Just like the budding of leaves indicates the arrival of summer, so the things of the Tribulation will let us know that the kingdom of God is near. The generation alive during the tribulation will be the ones who see the establishment of the kingdom of God and Jesus’ reign on earth, something that every Jew has longed to see. We can be sure that Christ will return because, while heaven and earth will pass away, Jesus’ words will not. All that Jesus said can be depended on.

Christ’s return is a sure thing but it does not have a date attached to it. The turmoil of the world around us might lead us to think it should be imminent. We must be ready. Despite the warnings, Jesus’ return will be sudden and will probably surprise us. But we can be ready. We must not get caught up in the cares of this life but live in light of eternity. As believers, the Rapture will ensure we escape “all these things that are going to take place”. We will escape the time of Tribulation, but we will all stand before Jesus’ Judgment Seat (2 Cor 5:10-11). If Jesus returns or you are called home today, will you be counted worthy? If you are living in light of eternity, do your priorities reflect that?

Jesus now addressed their second question, “what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?” (Luke 21:7)
When they saw Jerusalem surrounded by armies then they would know the destruction He spoke of was near. That would be a time when they should flee from the city or remain out of it. That would be a particularly difficult time for pregnant and nursing mothers. The Jewish nation would face great distress, war, destruction, and dispersement. Because of their refusal of the Messiah they would experience the curse of the Deuteronomic Covenant (Deut 28-30). Israel would face a time without their homeland and without a Davidic King on the throne.

Then Jesus transitioned to the signs at the end of the age that would signal His return. The heavens and the oceans and international distress and foreboding will signal Christ’s return. Jesus will return with power and glory. At that time they need not flee. Instead, they can take heart because the redemption of Israel would be near. The Jewish nation will be delivered from all their enemies and will enjoy the covenant blessing God has promised them.

When life gets tough we need to rest in God’s promises. This world is not all there is. Christ will return. We must live our lives in light of eternity.

While at the temple, some marveled at its beauty but Jesus warned them that a time was coming when it would be destroyed so severely that not one stone would be left on another. This came to pass in the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. Sometimes we can make the mistake of looking at things we have established and think of them as permanent. But thankfully God does not have permanent plans for this world. He has a new heaven and a new earth in plan for us. Looking still at Herod’s magnificent temple, the disciples ask Jesus when it will be destroyed. Jesus warned of some signs that they would see before the destruction of the temple and others that would come after that during the time of tribulation before His second coming. They would face persecution but that would be their opportunity to be witnesses. They need not trouble themselves beforehand with what to say because Jesus promised to give them the answers they needed (by the Holy Spirit, Mark 13:11). Jesus warned that their persecution would even be at the hands of family members and friends and some would die. They were to rest in God’s sovereignty. During the tribulation, some will turn away from the faith in the face of persecution, but those who endure in their faith will remain alive to enter the kingdom and see the salvation of Israel.

Being able to endure in faith until the end will require a greater focus on God and His kingdom than on the things of the world. Which has a greater pull on your life, heavenly or earthly things? Do you need to make some adjustments?

Jesus had just faced attempts by the religious leaders to trap Him by His own words. Having defused their attempts, He turned to the disciples while all could hear and warned them about these religious leaders. They were self-exalting in their actions. They desired attention and praise and prominence and even sought it out. Their greed was so great that instead of helping emotionally and economically distressed widows, they took what little they had. Then they publically prayed long prayers to present an appearance of godliness that only sealed their hypocrisy. Jesus concluded that they will receive the greater condemnation. Jesus’ statement teaches that there will be degrees of punishment after death. Unbelievers will be judged to a lesser or greater extent based on the lives they have lived.

Jesus saw people putting money into the offering box and pointed out the significance of a poor widow’s offering over the offerings of the wealthy. She had put in two small copper coins and yet Jesus said her offering was greater than all the rest. She had given to God all she had to live on while the wealthy had given from their abundance. When we give to God, it’s not the amount that matters but the heart (2 Cor 9:7). What does your giving say about your reliance on God or money? The amount you give doesn’t necessarily answer that.