Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked Him, are you the king of the Jews?

You have said so, Jesus replied.

When He was accused by the chief priests and the elders, He gave no answer. Then Pilate asked Him, don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you? But Jesus made no reply, not even a single charge-to the great amazement of the governor.

Now it was the governor’s custom at the festival to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. At that time they had a well-known prisoner whose name was Jesus Barrabas. So when the crowd had gathered. Pilate asked them, which one do you want me to release to you: Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah? For he knew it was out of self-interest that they had handed Jesus over to him.

While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of Him.

But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed.

Which of the two do you want me to release to you, asked the governor. Barabbas, they answered.

What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah, Pilate asked. They all answered, crucify Him! Why? What crime has He committed, Pilate asked. But they shouted all the louder, crucify Him!

When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. I am innocent of this man’s blood, he said. It is your responsibility!

All the people answered, His blood is on us and on our children!

Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.

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Even with warning, Pilate still have in to the demands of the people. How often do we do the same? We know what scripture says and the warnings it brings…yet we still give in to the shouts of the world. It’s time we take a moment to hear the still small voice…to hear from God and live for Him. It’s time to quit washing our hands of the responsibility, and be courageous when it comes to following Jesus. Scripture says the cowardly won’t inherit the Kingdom of God…where do you stand?

Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people made their plans how to have Jesus executed. So they bound Him, led Him away and handed Him over to Pilate the governor.

When Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that Jesus was condemned, He was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. I have sinned, he said, for I have betrayed innocent blood.

What is that to us? That’s your responsibility, they replied.

So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then He went away and hanged himself.

The chief priests picked up the coins and said, It is against the law to put this into the treasury, since it is blood money. So they decided to use the money to buy the potter’s field as a burial place for foreigners. That is why it has been called the Field of Blood to this day. Then what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled:

“They took the thirty pieces of silver, the price set on Him by the people of Israel, and they used them to buy the potter’s field, as the Lord commanded me.”

Jeremiah 19:1-13; 32:6-9

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So here we see the results of Judas’ betrayal. When he realizes what is happening, he is filled with remorse. HE tries to right the wrong by giving the money back but it doesn’t work. He thinks there is no coming back from what he did. People do this all of the time…they think they have sinned in such a way that there is no grace offered for them. We seek out grace and try to fix the problem under our own power…quickly realizing we cannot fox it. But God can…and He will if we just allow Him. The end result doesn’t have to be punishment and death like Judas thought…it can be grace and forgiveness…we just have to let God take charge. Do you need forgiveness? I promise you it’s not too late. Find grace in the arms of God today.

Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. You also were with Jesus of Galilee, she said.

But he denied it before them all. I don’t know what you’re talking about, he said.

Then he went over to the gateway, where another servant girl saw him and said to the people there, This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth.

He denied it again, with an oath: I don’t know the man!

After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, Surely you are one of them; your accent gives you away.

Then he began to call down curses, and he swore to them, I don’t know the man!

Immediately a rooster crowed. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus has spoken: Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times. And he went outside and wept bitterly.

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He went outside and wept bitterly…my question today is how upset do you get when you sin against God? Does it bother you? Does it eat away at you until you can make it right with God? Has sin become more normal in your life…knowing grace is waiting? We should hate sin. It SHOULD upset us greatly when we sin. Why doesn’t it? Because we have let too much of the world and our fleshly desires sneak in. Learn to despise sin again…if we accept sin we are only drifting further away from God. Love God…hate sin.

Those who had arrested Jesus took Him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled. But Peter followed Him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. He entered and sat down with the guards to see the outcome.

The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put Him to death. But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward.

Finally two came forward and declared, this fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.

Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you? But Jesus remained silent.

The high priest said to Him, I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.

You have said so, Jesus replied. But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.

Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?

He is worthy of death, they answered.

Then they spit in His face and struck Him with their fists. Others slapped Him and said, prophesy to us, Messiah. Who hit you?

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Jesus, the Son of God, stood before Caiaphas on trial for acts of blasphemy He didn’t commit. Why? He did so for you and for me. It should’ve been us on trial for our sins and our shortcomings…but Jesus took our place. He was spit on, punched, and slapped. He was mocked and falsely accused. All of this…because He took our place so that we didn’t have to stand trial on our own. He took the punishment and judgment for our sins. But this would not be the end. No…God’s plan of redemption was just beginning. Who do you serve today? Let’s follow after the one who took our place.

While He was speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived. Which him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer has arranged a signal with them: The one I kiss is the man; arrest Him. Going at once to Jesus, Judas said greetings, Rabbi, and kissed Him.

Jesus replied, do what you came for, friend.

Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested Him. With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.

Put your sword back in its place, Jesus said to him, for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and He will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?

In that hour Jesus said to the crowd, am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me. But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples deserted Him and fled.

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I want to focus on one line from Jesus. He told Judas to do what he came to do…friend. Jesus, even in the moment He is being betrayed by one of His closest friends…calls him friend. Wow! Today, put yourself in Judas’ shoes. Some of you have such a hard time forgiving yourself…but understand that even as you’re sinning against God, He calls you friend. Let that sink in today. You are called friend. Find peace in that today.

Then Jesus went with His disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and He said to them sit here while I go over there and pray. He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with Him, and He began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then He said to them, my soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.

Going a little farther, he fell with His face to the ground and prayed, my Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.

Then He returned to His disciples and found them sleeping. Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour? Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.

He went away a second time and prayed, my Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.

When He came back, He again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. So He left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.

Then He returned to the disciples and said to them, are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!

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You can see the raw emotion of Jesus in this. He’s praying for it to be taken from Him if there is any other way. And yet, He knew what He had to do. His preparation was prayer…when often ours is not. We know the kind of life we are called to. Our preparation should be prayer…but often it’s not. We just face the situation in our own way using our own words and actions. Take Jesus’ example and follow it today. Whether it is good or bad…go into every situation and conversation having prepared yourself through prayer. It’s the only reaction we should have.

Then Jesus told them they this very night you will fall away on account of me, for it is written:

“I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.”

Zechariah 13:7

But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.

Peter replied, even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.

Truly I tell you, Jesus answered, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.

But Peter declared, even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you. And all the other disciples said the same.

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This is where we see Jesus being lovingly honest with His disciples. He says they will all fall away, and that Peter will disown Him. Of course they don’t believe Jesus because they could never imagine that happening. But it does…just as He said. The question is this…have you ever disowned Jesus? Now really think before you answer. Have you ever stayed silent when you felt led to speak…have you ever chose the world over what you knew was right…have you ever focused on self over keeping your eyes on things above…and these are just a few examples. The reality is, we have all disowned Jesus at some point. Some more than others…but we have all been there. Today…don’t focus on your past mistakes…but make new goals to live a life of courage and faith…a life of speaking and standing in pride for the name of Jesus. I mean…He is worth it.

On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked where He wanted them to make preparations for Him to eat the Passover.

Jesus told them to go into the city to a certain man and tell him the teacher’s appointed time is near. He is going to celebrate the Passover with His disciples at your the man’s house. So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover.

When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the twelve. And while they were eating Jesus told them that one of them would betray Him.

They were sad and began to say to Him and each other they surely He doesn’t mean them.

Jesus said the one who dips his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. The Son of Man will go just as it is written about Him. But woe to the man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.

Then Judas said that surely He doesn’t mean him. Jesus answered that you have said so.

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when He had given thanks He broke it and gave it to His disciples and told them to take and eat it; this is my body.

Then He took the cup, and after giving thanks, He have it to them. Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.

When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

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What an intimate moment between Jesus and His disciples. Not only did He call out His betrayer, but He also instituted the Lord’s Supper which solidified what was getting ready to happen. Can you imagine the emotion of the disciples during this meal? Fear that they would be the betrayer…to ultimate sadness and grief from what Jesus said would be happening. All of this, for you and I to have life to the fullest. Spend time today reflecting on that sacrifice. Remember the forgiveness you have and do receive through the blood of Jesus. Love as a result of that gift today.

Then one of the twelve-the one called Judas Iscariot-went to the chief priests and asked what are you willing to give me if I deliver Him over to you? So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand Him over.

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Judas allowed his fleshly desires of greed to come in between him and Jesus. It’s easy for us to point fingers at him and call him a betrayer. But think about your own life…how many times have you chose your fleshly desires and it came in between you and Jesus? This is why we must also put the kingdom of heaven first. We must always keep our eyes focused on things above and not on earthly things. Don’t get tangled up in the flesh and it’s desires…keep your eyes and heart fixed on the Creator.

While Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came to Him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on His head as He was reclining at the table.

When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. Why this waste? This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.

Aware of this, Jesus asked them why they were bothering this woman. She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have among you, but you will not always have me. When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. Wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.

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The disciples, thinking they were focusing on those in need, were quickly redirected back to Him. Jesus reminds them that He is where their focus should be…yes He said take care of those in need and you will have taken care of me. But He was still there! Today, we don’t have that advantage. Today, we do see Jesus through those in need. Also, He said there will always be poor among you. I take this to mean that as a Christ follower, we don’t always just feed them what they say their need is, but we understand how they got to where they are and we guide them to Jesus who can help with the real issues. To truly love someone isn’t just to throw money at them…it’s to care for THEM. How do you see the least of these? Do you care more about their heart or their visible need?