JESUS'S JOURNEY

JESUS'S JOURNEY

          In the Book of John, written by John, Jesus spoke to anyone that would listen about what was to come.  That he would be falsely aroused, arrested, tried and crucified, put in a tomb for three days and three nights, but would rise again the third day.   He spoke to his disciples many times, and did many miracles in their sight, but they still didn't understand what was to come.  John the Baptist which was Jesus' cousin, went before him to spread the news of the soon coming King, the only begotten Son of God.  That he would come from heaven and become flesh and live among us.  He would go through trials and tribulations, the same as we would.  He became flesh, he was the Son of Man.    
          It was written in the prophets that God would send his messenger to prepare the way for his people.  That messenger was Jesus.  Now there was a man named John who went about baptizing people in the name of the Lord.  He was sent by God to prepare the way for Jesus's coming to this earth, as a man of the flesh. In all four of the gospels they tell of Jesus's birth, life, and the reason for his coming.  In the book of Mark is the beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ.       




Six days before the passover Jesus came to Bethany to the house of Lazarus and his two sisters, Mary and Martha.  The last time he was there Jesus came, Lazarus had been
dead four days.  His sisters had sent for Jesus to come to heal him, because he was very sick, but Jesus tarried awhile before coming.  Mary and Martha came out to him crying and said, if you had been here our brother would not have died.  Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead.  This time Martha made him supper.  Martha served and Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with Jesus.  Mary took a pound of Spikenard ointment, which was very costly, and anointed Jesus' feet, and wiped his feet with her hair.  Judas, not Iscariot, who was one of Jesus' disciples that were with him, asked why the ointment wasn't sold for three hundred pence and given to the poor?  He said this not because he cared, but because he was a thief and had the bag with money in it.  Jesus told him to leave Mary alone, she has kept this for the day of my burial.  The poor are always with you, but me you will not always have with you, soon I will be gone. 
          Many people knew Jesus was there and came to the house not for Jesus' sake but to see Lazarus, whom Jesus had raised from the dead.  The chief priests discussed among themselves how they might put Lazarus to death also, because many Jews went away and believed on Jesus.  The next day many came to the feast, when they heard Jesus was coming to Jerusalem.  They took branches of palm trees, and went out to meet him.  They waved them and said Hosanna:  Blessed King of Israel, who comes in the name of the Lord.  
          Jesus' disciples didn't understand, at first, why the people did those things, but when Jesus was glorified, they remembered what was written of him, about him calling Lazarus out of his grave and raised him from the dead, they bared record.  The Pharisees said among themselves, Do you not see, behold the world is gone after him.  There were also certain Greeks that came up to worship at the feast.  Some came to Philip, which was Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked to see Jesus.  Philip went and told Andrew, and Andrew and Philip told Jesus.  Jesus told them that the hour had come that he should be glorified.  He said that the man who loves his own life, will loose it, and he that hates his life in this world shall keep it until life eternal.  Now my soul is troubled said Jesus, what shall I say?  Father save me from this hour:  but for this reason I came to this hour, Father glorify your name.
          The people who stood by heard a voice from heaven saying, I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.  The ones who heard it said it sounded like thunder, others said an angel spoke to Jesus. Jesus told them that the voice came not because of him, but for their sakes.  Now is the judgment of this world:  Now the prince of this world be cast out.  And Jesus said if I be lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men unto me.  This is to signify what what death he would die.  The people said to Jesus, We have heard out of the law that Christ abides forever, how can you say the Son of man must be lifted up?  Who is the Son of man? 
          Jesus continued to teach his disciples of many things and said, Yet a little while the light is with you.  Walk while you have light.  While you have the light, believe in the light, so you can be the children of light.  After saying this Jesus departed and hid himself from them.  Even though he had done many miracles before them, they still didn't believe on him.  They could not believe because their eyes were blinded and their hearts were hardened, they could not see nor understand with their hearts and be converted.  
          Among the chief rulers, many believed on him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him because they feared they would be put out of the synagogue.  They loved the praise of men more than the praises of God.  Jesus cried and said, He that believes not on me, but on him who sent me.  I came as a to the earth, if any man hear my words, and doest not believe, I judge him not:  For I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. 
          Jesus knew his hour had come that he would depart out of this world and go back to his Father.  He continued to tell anyone who would listen what was coming.  He wasn't just speaking to his disciples, he was speaking to everyone who would be chosen.  These things had to come to pass so that the scriptures might be fulfilled.  He was warning them that when the time came for the scriptures to be fulfilled they would believe he was King. 
          When the time for the passover came, Jesus and his disciples were together at one table for the meal.  While they were eating, Jesus continued to teach them many things.  He became troubled in Spirit and testified to them, I tell you now, one of you will betray me.  The disciples looked at each other not knowing who he was talking about.  Judas whom he loved, was leaning on his breast, He said to Jesus, Lord who is it?  Jesus answered, it is who I give a sop, when I have dipped it.  When Jesus had dipped the sop he gave it to Judas whom Satan had entered into.  Jesus said to him do what you are going to do, do it quickly.  No one else at the table heard what Jesus said to Judas.  They thought since Judas had the bag of money, Jesus was telling him to buy the things they needed or give some to the poor.  After Judas received the sop, and went out, Jesus said to the eleven, Now is the Son of man glorified and God is glorified in him.  Jesus then gave them a new commandment, love one another, as I have loved you, you also love one another.  By this men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.  He also told him that he would be leaving soon, and where he went they could not follow.  Simon Peter asked why he couldn't follow him now?  Jesus said I will lay down my life for you.  Will you lay down your life for my sake?  Peter said he would never deny Jesus.  Peter, the cock will crow three times, when you have denied me three times. 
          He shared many truths with them, but they just did not understand.  If you love me keep my commandments.  When I leave I will pray to the Father to give you another comforter, that he may abide with you forever.  It will be the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because the Spirit does not know them.  The Spirit dwells with you and in you.  I will not leave you comfortless:  I will come to you.  In a little while I will be seen of the world, but then the world will see me no more.  You will see me because I live in you.  That day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.  Judas not Iscariot, said, Lord how is it you will show yourself to us, but not the world?  Jesus said, if a man loves me, he will keep my words:  and my Father will love him, and will come to him, and abide with him.  I say these things while I am present with you, but the comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, my Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and bring all things to your mind, What I have said to you.  Peace I leave with you:  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.  Now I have told you before it comes to pass, when it happens you might believe.  From now on I will not talk with you much:  for the prince of this world comes, and has nothing of me in them.  As the Father gave me a commandment, I do so.  
          At the end of the meal, and after Judas Iscariot left, Jesus took bread (unleavened) and broke it into pieces and gave it to them and said, eat, for  this is my body, do it in remembrance of me.  He then took a cup and filled it with the fruit of the vine and gave it to them to drink, saying drink, for this is my blood, drink it in remembrance of me.  (This was where Jesus implemented the emblems to be taken at the Lord's Supper.)  Jesus got up from the table, laid aside his garments, took a towel and girded himself, filled a basin with water and began to wash their feet, and dry their feet with the towel he was girded with.  Simon Peter said to him, Lord, do you wash my feet?  Jesus answered, what I do now you know not why, but you will later.  Peter said you will never wash my feet.  Jesus said if I don't wash your feet, you have no part with me.  Peter replied wash my feet, my hands and my head.  Peter it is only your feet I need to wash.  You are clean already.  After he had washed their feet, and put back on his garments, he asked them did they understand what he had done?  He gave them an example what they should do to each other, wash each others feet.