Note: This is part three of Charisma’s Holy Week series.
The fifth day of Holy Week marks a dramatic shift. The day begins with preparations and ends with betrayal, anguish and the arrest of the Son of God. Though Jerusalem buzzed with Passover festivities, beneath the surface, a cosmic confrontation was unfolding. Jesus, fully aware of what lay ahead, moved intentionally through every moment. The hour of His suffering had come.
Earlier that day, Jesus instructed Peter and John to prepare the Passover meal in a guest room of a house in the city. As evening came, Jesus reclined at the table with His twelve disciples. This was no ordinary Passover. What had long been a celebration of Israel’s deliverance from Egypt would now become a revelation of the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world.
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During the meal, Jesus made a startling announcement:
“Assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.” (Matt. 26:21)
The disciples were deeply troubled. One by one they asked, “Lord, is it I?” Jesus identified the betrayer subtly, saying the one who dipped his hand in the bowl with Him would be the one. Judas Iscariot, who had already conspired with the chief priests for 30 pieces of silver, slipped away into the night.
Then Jesus took bread, gave thanks, broke it and gave it to them:
“Take, eat; this is My body.” (v. 26)
He took the cup, gave thanks and said:
“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.” (vv. 27–28)
In these sacred acts, Jesus instituted what would become known as the Lord’s Supper or Communion. It was a declaration that the final Passover Lamb was about to be slain. This covenant, unlike the old, would be sealed not with the blood of animals, but with His own.
After the meal, they sang a hymn and departed for the Mount of Olives. There, Jesus shared with His disciples that they would all fall away. Peter, bold as ever, insisted he would never deny Him. Jesus replied:
“Assuredly, I say to you that this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” (v. 34)
They arrived at a garden called Gethsemane. Jesus told His disciples to wait while He went a little farther to pray. Taking Peter, James, and John with Him, He confessed:
“My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.” (v. 38)
Then, falling on His face, Jesus prayed the most agonizing prayer ever recorded:
“O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” (v. 39)
Three times He prayed. Three times He returned to find His disciples sleeping. The weight of the moment was too great for them to comprehend. But Jesus was fully awake to what was about to happen.
Suddenly, a crowd appeared—led by Judas. He approached Jesus with a kiss, the prearranged sign of betrayal. Jesus looked at him and said:
“Friend, why have you come?” (v. 50)
In a flash, the mob seized Jesus. Peter drew a sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. But Jesus rebuked him:
“Put your sword in its place… or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels?” (vv. 52–53)
Jesus, the eternal Son, willingly surrendered. As He was led away, His disciples fled.
The final stage had begun. The Lamb of God had been betrayed, arrested and brought before the religious leaders. The next day, the trial would begin, and the cross would draw closer.
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Prepared by Charisma Media Staff.
