PART 9

LAZARUS RAISED TO LIFE,

MESSIAH’S TRIUMPHANT ENTRY, AND HIS LAMENT OVER JERUSALEM

 AT THE FEAST OF DEDICATION

JOHN 10:22-42

At that time the Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah) took place at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Y’shua was walking in the temple, in the porch of Solomon. Then the Jews surrounded Him, asking Him, “How long will You keep us in suspense? If You are the Messiah, tell us plainly.”

Y’shua answered them, “I have told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father’s Name, these bear witness concerning Me. But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, just as I said to you. My sheep hear and listen to My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; and no-one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no-one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are One.”

Again the Jews took up stones to stone Him.

Y’shua answered them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father; for which of these works do you stone Me?”

The Jews answered Him, “We do not stone You for a good work, but for blasphemy; and because You, being a man, make Yourself out to be God.”

Y’shua answered them, “Has it not been written in your Law, ‘I SAID, YOU ARE GODS’ [Ps 82:6]? If He called them gods, to whom the Word of God came - and the Scripture cannot be broken - do you say of Him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming’; because I said, ‘I am the Son of God?’ If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; but if I do them, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in Me, and I am in Him.”

Therefore they were seeking again to seize Him, but He escaped from their hands, and He went once more to the other side of the Jordan to the place where John was baptizing at first; and He stayed there. And many came to Him, and they were saying, “Though John performed no sign, everything John said about this Man was true.” And many believed in Him there.

SCENE FROM THE OLD CITY OF JERUSALEM

LAZARUS RAISED TO LIFE

JOHN 11:1-44

The Lazarus in this account was NOT the destitute beggar of whom you have read a few pages back. This Lazarus and his two sisters were close friends of Y’shua. In this event, the Master not only claimed to be the Resurrection and the Life, but He also demonstrated His power to give life.

Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. It was the same Mary who anointed the Master with fragrant oil, and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. Therefore the sisters sent word to Him, “Master, see, the one You love is sick.”

When Y’shua heard this, He said, “This sickness will not end in death, but it is for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified by it.”

Now Y’shua loved Martha and her sister, and Lazarus. So when He heard that Lazarus was sick, He stayed in the place where He was two more days. Then after this He said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.”

The disciples said to Him, “Rabbi (teacher), the Jews were just now seeking to stone You; and yet You are going back there?”

Y’shua answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day he will not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. But if anyone walks in the night, he will stumble, because the light is not in him.” After He said this He went on to say, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going so that I may wake him up.”

Then the disciples said to Him, “Master, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.” But Y’shua had spoken of his death, whereas they thought that He was speaking of literal sleep. So He then said to them plainly: “Lazarus has died. And for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.”

Then Thomas, who is called Didymus, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with Him.”

So when Y’shua arrived, He found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. Bethany was about three kilometers from Jerusalem; and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.

Now when Martha heard that Y’shua was coming, she went and met Him; but Mary was still sitting in the house.

Martha then said to Y’shua, “Master, if You had been here earlier, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.”

Y’shua said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”

Martha answered, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” Y’shua said to her,

“I am the Resurrection and the Life;

he who believes in Me, even though he dies, he will live; and whoever is living and believing in Me will never die. Do you believe this?”

She said to Him, “Yes, Master; I believe You are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”

After she had said this, she went away and called her sister Mary aside, saying, “The Teacher is here, and is calling for you.” When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and came to Him.

Now Y’shua had not yet come into the village, but was still in the place where Martha met Him. When the Jews who were with her in the house, comforting her, saw that Mary got up quickly and went out, they followed her, saying, “She is going to the tomb to weep there.”

Then when Mary reached the place where Y’shua was, and saw Him, she fell at His feet, saying to Him, “Master, if You had been here earlier, my brother would not have died.”

Y’shua, therefore, when He saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled.

“Where have you laid him?” He asked.

They said to Him, “Master, come and see.”

Y’shua wept.

Then the Jews said, “See how He loved him!” And some of them said, “Could not this One, who opened the eyes of the blind man, also have kept this man from dying?”

Then Y’shua, once more groaning deeply within, came to the tomb. Now it was a cave with a large stone laid across the entrance.

Y’shua said, “Take away the stone.”

Martha, the sister of the man who had died, said to Him, “Master, by this time there will be a stench; for he has been dead four days.”

Y’shua said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?”

And so they removed the stone from the place where the dead man was laid. And Y’shua raised His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people standing around I have said this, so that they may believe that You sent Me.”

And when He had said these things, He cried in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!”

Then he who had died came out, bound hand and foot with burial cloths; and his face was wrapped around with a cloth. Y’shua said to them, “Take off the wrappings, and set him free.”

REACTION TO LAZARUS’ RESURRECTION

JOHN 11:45-53

Then many of the Jews who had come to Mary and had seen what Y’shua did believed in Him. But some of them went away to the Pharisees, and told them what Y’shua had done.

Therefore the chief priests and the Pharisees convened a council, and said, “What shall we do? For this Man is performing many signs. If we let Him go on like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.”

Then one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all, nor do you take into account that it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation should not perish.”

Now he did not say this of himself, but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Y’shua was about to die for the nation; and not for the nation only, but that He might also gather together into one, the children of God who were scattered abroad.

So from that day on they plotted together to kill Him.   

Y’SHUA’S LOVE FOR CHILDREN

MARK 10:13-16

People were bringing children to Y’shua so that He might touch them; and the disciples rebuked those who brought them. But when Y’shua saw this, He was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the children come to Me; do not hinder them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

Then taking them up in His arms, He put His hands upon them and blessed them.

Y’SHUA AGAIN FORETELLS HIS DEATH

MARK 10:32-34

As they were on the way, going up to Jerusalem, Y’shua was walking on ahead of them; and they were astonished, and those who followed were afraid. And again He took the twelve aside and began to tell them what was going to happen to Him, “Look,” he said, “we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death, and will hand Him over to the Gentiles. And they will mock Him and spit upon Him, and scourge Him, and kill Him, and three days later He will rise again.”

THE DAMASCUS GATE OF JERUSALEM

A REQUEST BY JAMES AND JOHN

MARK 10:35-45

And James and John, the two sons of Zebedee, came up to Y’shua. “Teacher,” they said, “we want You to do for us whatever we ask.”

“What do you want Me to do for you?” He asked.

They said to Him, “Let one of us sit on Your right, and the other on Your left, in the time of Your glory.”

But Y’shua said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” “We can,” they said to Him.

Y’shua said to them, “The cup that I drink you shall drink; and you shall be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized, but to sit on My right and My left, is not for Me to grant; but these places are for those for whom it has been prepared.”

And hearing this, the ten began to feel indignant towards James and John. But Y’shua, calling them all near to Himself, said to them,

“You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them; and their great men exercise authority over them. But it shall not be like that among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant; and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be servant of all; for even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”                                                                               

MARY ANOINTS Y’SHUA’S FEET

JOHN 11:55 to 12:1-11

Now the Passover of the Jews was near, and many went up to Jerusalem from the country, to purify themselves before the Passover. And they were seeking Y’shua, saying to one another as they stood in the temple, “What do you think? Will He not come to the feast at all?”

Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that if anyone knew where Y’shua He was, he should report it, that they might seize Him.

Then six days before the Passover, Y’shua came to Bethany where Lazarus was, the one who had died, and whom Y’shua had raised from the dead. So they made a supper for Him there; and Martha was serving, while Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him. Then Mary took a pound of very costly, pure spikenard-ointment, and anointed the feet of Y’shua, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot the son of Simon, who was soon to betray Him, said, “Why was this ointment not sold for 300 denarii (the value of 300 day’s wages), and given to the poor?”

Now he said this, not because he was concerned about the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money bag. And he used to pilfer what was put into it. Y’shua therefore said, “Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of My burial. For the poor you always have with you; but you will not always have Me.”

Then a great crowd of the Jews learned that He was there; and they came, not for Y’shua’s sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He raised from the dead. But the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus also; because on account of him many of the Jews were going away, and believing in Y’shua.

THE TRIUMPHANT ENTRY INTO JERUSALEM

LUKE 19:28-44,47,48

The following event took place on the Sunday before the violent death of the Messiah. It was the beginning of a very climatic, agonizing, and yet, triumphant week.

Y’shua went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. When He approached Bethphage and Bethany near the Mount of Olives, He sent two of the disciples, instructing them, “Go into the village ahead of you. As you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no-one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?,’ tell him, ‘The Master needs it’.” So those who were sent ahead went and found it just as He had told them.

As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?” They replied, “The Master needs it.” Then they brought it to Y’shua, and they threw their garments on the colt, and put Y’shua on it. And as He went along, people spread their garments on the road.

When He came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole band of disciples began to praise God joyfully in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:

“BLESSED IS THE KING WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD!” [Psalm 118:26]

“Peace in heaven,” and “Glory in the highest!”

Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, rebuke Your disciples!” “I tell you,” He replied, “if they keep silent, the stones will cry out!”

And when He approached Jerusalem and saw the city, He wept over it, crying, “If you, even you, only knew this day what would bring you peace - but for now it is hidden from your eyes. For the days are coming upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. They will dash you to the

ground, you and your children within your walls.

They will not leave one stone upon another, because you did not recognize the time of your visitation - that is, when God was visiting you.”

And He was teaching every day at the temple. But the chief priests, the scribes (the teachers of the Law), and the leaders among the people were trying to kill Him. Yet they could not find any way to do it, because all the people were hanging upon His every word.

THE PRESENT EASTERN (GOLDEN) GATE OF JERUSALEM.

Photo by courtesy of www.BiblePlaces.com

(THE MESSIAH RODE INTO THE CITY THROUGH THE ORIGINAL EASTERN GATE)

THE TEMPLE CLEANSED

MARK 11:15-18

Then they came into Jerusalem. And Y’shua entered the temple and began to drive out those who were buying and selling in the temple, and He overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who were selling doves; and He would not permit anyone to carry vessels or goods through the temple.

And He began to teach and say to them, “Has it not been written,

MY HOUSE SHALL BE CALLED A HOUSE OF PRAYER FOR ALL THE NATIONS? [Isaiah 56:7]

“But you have made it a den of robbers.” The chief priests and the scribes heard this, and began seeking how to destroy Him; for they were afraid of Him, because the whole crowd was amazed at His teaching.

“THE SON OF MAN MUST BE LIFTED UP”

JOHN 12:23-50

Y’shua knew exactly what was ahead. He knew what type of suffering and death He would endure; and He told the crowd that His death would produce a great harvest.

“The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. I am telling you the truth; unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone - all by itself. But if it dies, it bears much fruit. He who loves his life will lose it; and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for everlasting life. If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honour him.

“Now My soul has become troubled; and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour?’ But for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify Your Name.”

Then a voice came from heaven: “I have both glorified it, and I will glorify it again.”

The crowd who stood by and heard the voice were saying that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to Him.”

Y’shua answered, “This voice did not come for My benefit, but for your sake. Now judgment is upon this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself.” This He said to indicate the kind of death by which He was to die.

The crowd answered Him, “We have heard from the Law that the Messiah remains forever; so how can You say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this Son of Man?”

Y’shua then said to them, “For a little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light so that darkness may not overtake you. He who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become sons of light.”

These things Y’shua spoke and then He departed, and was hidden from them. But though He had done so many signs before them, yet they were not believing in Him - this was so that the word spoken by Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled:

LORD, WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR REPORT? AND TO WHOM HAS THE ARM OF YHWH THE LORD BEEN REVEALED? [Isaiah 53:1]

Because of this they were unable to believe, for Isaiah also said,

HE HAS BLINDED THEIR EYES, AND HE HARDENED THEIR HEARTS, LEST THEY SEE WITH THEIR EYES, AND UNDERSTAND WITH THEIR HEARTS; LEST THEY TURN BACK, AND I HEAL THEM. [Isaiah 6:9-10]

Isaiah said these things when he saw His glory and he spoke of Him.

Nevertheless, even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

Then Y’shua cried out, “He who believes in Me does not believe Me, but in Him who sent Me. And he who sees Me sees the One who sent Me. I have come as a light into the world so that everyone who believes in Me, may not remain in darkness. And if anyone hears My teachings but does not believe and keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world.

“He who rejects Me, and does not receive My teachings, has one who judges him - the Word I have spoken is what will judge him at the last day. For I have not spoken on My own initiative, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a command concerning what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that His command is eternal life. Therefore whatever I speak, I speak just as the Father has told Me.”

THE SANHEDRIN CHALLENGES Y’SHUA

MARK 11:27 to 12:12

During the time of Y’shua, Israel was governed by the Roman Empire. Pontius Pilate was the Roman governor.

Earlier, Julius Caesar had made a wealthy Idumaean, Herod Antipater the virtual ruler of all Israel in B.C. 43. (Idumaeans were not Jews, but descendants of Esau).

Antipater’s son, “Herod the Great,” was the king who ordered the massacre of the innocents when Y’shua was a child. He tried to win favour with the Jews by building the magnificent temple in Jerusalem. His son, Herod Antipas was the ruler who executed John the Baptist, and he was the king at the time of Y'shua's trial and death.

The Jews themselves maintained a legal and religious institution in Jerusalem which exercised the functions of a court. It consisted of chief priests, scribes (law experts) and elders, and was called the Sanhedrin. This Jewish authority confronted Y'shua.

Y’shua and His disciples came again to Jerusalem. And as He was walking in the temple, the chief priests, and scribes, and elders came to Him and asked Him, “By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority to do these things?”

Y’shua answered them, “I will ask you one question. Answer Me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. John’s baptism - was it from heaven, or from men? Answer Me!”

And they reasoned among themselves, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say, ‘Then why did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘From men . . .’ ” - they hesitated because they were afraid of the people, for all considered John to have been a prophet indeed.

So answering, they said to Y’shua, “We do not know.” Then Y’shua replied, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

Then He began to speak to them in parables:

THE VINE-GROWERS

“A man planted a vineyard, and put a hedge around it. He dug a vat under the winepress and built a watchtower, and then he rented it out to vine-growers, and went abroad. At harvest time he sent a servant to the vine-growers, in order to receive some of the produce of the vineyard from the vine-growers. And they seized him, and beat him, and sent him away empty-handed.

“And again he sent them another servant. And throwing stones at him, they wounded him in the head, treated him shamefully and sent him away. And again he sent another, and that one they killed; and so with many others, beating some, and killing others. Having only one more to send - his beloved son, he also sent him to them last of all, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’

“But those vine-growers said to one another, ‘This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours!’

“So they took him, and killed him, and threw his body out of the vineyard. What then will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the vine-growers, and will give the vineyard to others.

“Have you not even read this scripture:

THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED HAS BECOME THE CHIEF CORNER-STONE; THIS WAS FROM YHWH THE LORD, AND IT IS MARVELLOUS IN OUR EYES?” [Psalm 118:22, 23]

And they were seeking to seize Y’shua, but they feared the crowd; for they understood that He had spoken the parable against them. And so they left Him, and went away.

Y’SHUA LAMENTS OVER JERUSALEM

LUKE 13:31-35

Some Pharisees came, saying to Y’shua, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.”

He said to them, “Go tell that fox, ‘See, I cast out demons and heal people today and tomorrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.’ Nevertheless I must journey on today and tomorrow, and the next day; for it cannot be that a prophet should perish outside of Jerusalem.

(Y'shua then went on to express sorrow for the city.)

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were not willing! Look! Your house is left to you desolate; and I tell you, you will not see Me again until the time comes when you say,

‘BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD’!” [Psalm 118:26]

EXCAVATIONS IN FRONT OF THE TOWER OF DAVID IN JERUSALEM TODAY

PART 10

PROPHECIES ABOUT JERUSALEM, THE ENDTIMES,

AND THE KINGDOM OF GOD

ABOUT MESSIAH’S RETURN, AND THE KINGDOM

LUKE 17:20-37

“The Son of Man” is used in the Old Testament as a title of the Messiah who would come with the clouds, and be given the sovereignty of the Kingdom of God. (Daniel 7:13-14)

Now, having been asked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God would come, Y’shua answered them, “The Kingdom of God does not come with observation. Nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or, ‘There it is!’ But look, and you will see that the Kingdom of God is within and among you.”

And He said to the disciples, “The days are coming when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it. And they will say to you, ‘Look here!’ or ‘Look there!’ Do not run off and follow after them. For the Son of Man in His day will be like the lightning, which flashes out of one part of the sky, and shines to the other part of the sky. But first He must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation.

“Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man: people were eating, they were drinking, they were marrying, and being given in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all.

“It was the same in the days of Lot: they were eating, they were drinking, they were buying and selling, planting and building, but on the day Lot went out of Sodom, fire and sulphur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all. It will be just like this on the day the Son of Man is revealed.

“On that day, anyone who is on the housetop and has goods in the house, should not go down to take them away; and likewise, anyone in the field should not turn back. Remember Lot’s wife. Whoever seeks to save his life shall lose it, and whoever loses his life shall preserve it. I tell you, on that night there will be two in one bed; one will be taken, and the other will be left. Two women will be grinding at the same place; one will be taken, and the other will be left. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other will be left.”

The disciples asked Him, “Where, Master?” And He said to them, “Where the body is, there also will the eagles be gathered.”

The Messiah gave important prophetic teaching on future events. One main message, recorded by Matthew, Mark and Luke, is called ...

THE OLIVET DISCOURSE

This message was mostly spoken on the Mount of Olives, on the east of Jerusalem. Following are the accounts by Matthew and Luke. Guided by the Holy Spirit, these two writers present the same message from somewhat different angles. Matthew focuses on the end of the age and the Great Tribulation, while Luke starts with the prophecy concerning the destruction of Jerusalem which took place in A.D. 70, and then stretches over the centuries to the conditions of the endtimes.

MATTHEW'S ACCOUNT

MATTHEW 24:1-51

As Y’shua came out of the temple, and was departing, His disciples came to point out the buildings of the temple to Him.

Y’shua said to them, “Do you not see all these things? I tell you the truth, not one stone shall be left here upon another that will not be thrown down.”

And as He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”

Y’shua answered and said to them, “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in My Name, saying, ‘I am the Messiah - the Christ,’ and will mislead many. You will be hearing of wars and rumours of wars, but see to it that you do not become frightened. All these things must happen first, but the end is not yet. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. But all these are merely the beginning of birthpangs.

THE GREAT TRIBULATION

“Then they will hand you over to be persecuted, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations on account of MY NAME. At that time many will stumble, falling away from the faith, and will betray one another and hate one another, and many false prophets will appear, and will deceive many people. Because of the increase of lawlessness and wickedness, most people’s love for others will grow cold, but he who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

“So when you see the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION - the sacrilege spoken of through the prophet Daniel - standing in the HOLY PLACE, (let the reader understand!), then let those who are in Judea immediately flee to the mountains. Let him who is on the housetop not go down to get anything out of the house; and let him who is in the field not go back to get his cloak.

“It will be very tragic in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! Pray that your flight may not take place in winter, or on a Sabbath, for then there will be great tribulation, such as has never occurred since the beginning of the world until now; and there will be nothing like it again. And if those days were not shortened, no-one would survive; but for the sake of the elect (the chosen people), those days will be shortened - limited.

“Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ, the Messiah!’ or ‘There He is!’ do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will appear and will perform great signs and wonders, so as to deceive, if possible, even the elect (God’s chosen ones). Watch! I have told you in advance. If therefore they say to you, ‘Look, He is in the desert,’ do not go out, or, ‘Look, He is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. For just as the lightning comes from the east, and flashes even to the west, so shall the coming of the Son of Man be. Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.

“Immediately after the Tribulation of those days,

THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT, [Isaiah 13:10], the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of THE HEAVENS WILL BE SHAKEN. [Haggai 2:6. Joel 2:10]

THE MESSIAH’S RETURN TO EARTH

“Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY [Daniel 7:13] with power and great glory. And He will send His angels with a loud trumpet call and they will gather together His chosen people from the four winds, even from one end of the heavens to the other.

THE FIG TREE

“Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender, and puts forth leaves, you know that the summer is near; so you also, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near - right at the doors. Truly, I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. The heaven and the earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.

AS THE DAYS OF NOAH

“But of that exact day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only My Father. For the days of the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. For as in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away. It will be like that at the coming of the Son of Man. There will be two men in the field; one will be taken, and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken, and the other left. Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Master is coming.

“But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. For this reason you also be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not expect Him. Who then is the faithful and sensible servant, whom his master put in charge of his household to give them food at the proper time?

“Blessed is that servant whose master finds him doing so when he comes. Truly, I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. But if that evil servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ and begins to beat his fellow-servants and to eat and drink with drunkards, the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him, and at an hour he is not aware of, and shall cut him in pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

THE OLIVET DISCOURSE

LUKE’S ACCOUNT

LUKE 21:5-36

And while some were talking about the temple, that it was adorned with beautiful stones and dedicated gifts, Y’shua said, “As for these things which you see, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down.”

So they questioned Him, “Teacher, but when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?”

He replied, “Watch out that you are not led astray; for many will come in My Name, claiming, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time is at hand.’ Do not go after them. And when you hear of wars and uprisings - disturbances and revolutions, do not be terrified; for these things must happen first, but the end will not come immediately.”

Then He said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be mighty and violent earthquakes in various places, and plagues, (pestilences, malignant, contagious or infectious diseases, and deadly, devastating epidemics), and famines; and there will be terrors and great signs from heaven.

“But before all this, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, handing you over to the synagogues and prisons, and bringing you before kings and governors for My Name’s sake. It will provide an opportunity for you to witness. So make up your minds not to premeditate on how you will defend yourself; for I will give you a mouth - words and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to resist or refute.

“And you will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all on account of My Name, yet not a hair of your head will perish. By your patient perseverance, you will gain your souls.

THE DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM

“When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then recognize that its destruction is near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city, for these are the days of vengeance when every-thing that has been written will be fulfilled.

“What agony there will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! There will be great distress upon the land and wrath against this people. They will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be taken as captives into all the nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

THE RETURN OF THE MESSIAH IN GLORY

“And there will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and upon earth despair among nations, with perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. Men’s hearts will faint from terror, being apprehensive of what is coming upon the world; for the very powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then will they see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

DELIVERANCE FOR BELIEVERS

But when these things begin to take place, straighten yourselves and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

And He told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees; when they put forth leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is now near. Likewise, when you see these things happening, recognize that the kingdom of God is near. I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass away until all things take place. The heaven and the earth - the universe - will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.

TRIBULATION FOR THE WORLD

“Be on guard that your hearts may not be weighed down with dissipation, excessiveness, drunkenness and the worries of life, and that day come on you suddenly like a trap; for it will come upon all those who dwell on the face of the earth.

ESCAPE FOR BELIEVERS

But keep on the alert at all times, praying that you may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”        

* * *

THE PARABLE OF TEN VIRGINS

MATTHEW 25:1-13

Y’shua taught the following two parables to emphasize the importance of being ready for HIS RETURN, and of being faithful to Him until that day.

Then the kingdom of heaven will be compared to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in containers along with their lamps.

Now while the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. And at midnight there was a cry, “Look! The bridegroom is coming! Come out to meet him.”

Then all those virgins rose up and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, “Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.”

But the wise answered, “No, there will not be enough for us and you too; go instead to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.”

And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut.

And later the other virgins also came, saying, “Master, Master, open the door for us!” But he replied, “Truly, I tell you, I do not know you.”    

Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour when the Son of Man will come.

THE PARABLE OF THE TALENTS

MATTHEW 25:14-30

For the kingdom of heaven is like a man about to go on a journey, who called his own servants and entrusted his possessions to them. To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. (A talent was quite a huge amount of money).

The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more talents. So also the one who had received the two talents; he gained two more. But the man who received the one talent went away and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.

After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. The man who had received the five talents came forward bringing the extra five talents, saying, “Master, you entrusted five talents to me; see, I have gained five more talents.”

His master replied, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness.”

The one also who had received the two talents also came forward and said, “Master, you entrusted me with two talents; see I have gained two more talents.”

His master replied, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!”

Then the man who had received the one talent came to him. “Master,” he said, “I knew that you were a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. And being afraid, I went and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.”

“You wicked, lazy servant!” his master exclaimed. “You knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed? Well then, you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers so that on my return, I would have received back the capital with interest.

“Take away the talent from him, and give it to the one who has the ten talents! For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. But whoever does not have, even what he does have will be taken from him. As for this worthless servant, throw him into the outer darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

A DAY OF JUDGMENT

MATTHEW 25:31-46

But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. And all the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; and He will put the sheep on His right hand, and the goats on the left.

Then the King will say to those on His right hand, “Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; I was naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited and looked after Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.”

Then the righteous will answer Him, “Master, when did we see You hungry and feed You; or thirsty, and give You something to drink? And when did we see You a stranger and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? And when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?”

And the King will answer and say to them, “Truly, I tell you, to the extent that you did it to one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did it to Me.”

Then He will also say to those on His left, “Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink; I was a stranger and you did not invite Me in; I was naked and you did not clothe Me; sick and in prison, and you did not visit Me.”

Then they also will answer, saying, “Master, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not take care of You?”

Then He will answer them, “Truly, I tell you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.”

And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.                 

PART 11

THE LAST SUPPER (PASSOVER),

MESSIAH’S PROMISE TO RETURN,

HIS INTERCESSORY PRAYER,

HIS ARREST AND TRIAL

Y’SHUA TELLS OF HIS IMMINENT SACRIFICE

MATTHEW 26:1-5

Now when Y’shua had finished speaking all these words, He said to His disciples, “You know that after two days, Pesach, the Passover, is coming, and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.”

Then the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders of the people were assembled in the court of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas; and they plotted together to seize Y’shua by stealth and deceit, and to kill Him. But they said, “Not during the festival, lest there be an uproar among the people.”                

JUDAS’ BETRAYAL CONTRACT

MATTHEW 26:14-16

Then one of the twelve disciples, named Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests, and said, “What are you willing to give me to hand Him over to you?”

So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. And from then on he began looking for a suitable opportunity to betray Y’shua.

PREPARATION FOR PASSOVER

LUKE 22:7-30

Pesach, the Passover, was a festival that looked back to the time when Israel was delivered from Egypt. When the Angel of Death had moved over every home in Egypt, the Israelites who had kept the first Pesach, sacrificing a lamb and sprinkling the blood on the doors of their homes, were spared.

The Passover also looked ahead to the ultimate Sacrifice of the Lamb of God - Y’shua Himself - for the sins of the world.

During the Passover meal, Y’shua took bread, saying, “This is My body which is given for you.” He was indicating that the bread of the Passover, eaten by Jews for centuries, was pointing to His sacrifice. The bread was a SYMBOL of His body.

Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb must be sacrificed. So Y’shua sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover meal.”

“Where do You want us to prepare it?” they asked Him.

“Watch as you enter the city,” He replied. “A man will meet you carrying a pot of water. Follow him into the house he enters, and say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher is asking you, “Where is the guest room in which I may eat the Passover with My disciples?”’ And he will show you a large, furnished, upper room. Make the preparations there.”

So they went and found everything just as He had told them; and they prepared the Passover meal.

When the hour came, Y’shua reclined at the table, and the twelve apostles with Him. Then He said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I tell you, I will not eat it again until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.”

And taking a cup, after He had given thanks, He said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves; for I tell you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”

And taking some bread, after He had given thanks, He broke it and gave to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” In the same way, after they had eaten, He took the cup, saying, “This cup is the New Covenant ratified by My blood which is to be poured out for you.

“But see, the one who is betraying Me is with me, and his hand is on the table. For certainly the Son of Man is going to His death as it has been determined by God; but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!” Then they began to reason out among themselves, who it could be that was about to do this treachery.

ONE WHO SERVES

Then a dispute arose among the disciples as to which one of them should be considered the greatest. And Y'shua said to them, “The kings of the gentiles lord it over them; and those who have authority over them are called benefactors. But not so among you. Rather, let him who is the greatest among you be as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. For who is greater, the one who sits at the table, or the one who serves? Is it not the one who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the One who serves.

“And you are those who have remained with Me in My trials; and just as My Father has granted Me a kingdom, I grant you, that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”                                           

Y’SHUA WASHES HIS DISCIPLES’ FEET

JOHN 13:1-35

Now before the Feast of Passover, Y’shua knew that His hour had come - that He should depart out of this world to the Father. And having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.

The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, to betray Him.

During the meal, Y’shua, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God, and was going back to God, rose from the meal. He laid aside His outer garments, and taking a towel, He wrapped it around His waist. Then He poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel which was wrapped around Him.

When He came to Simon Peter, that disciple said to Him, “Master, are You going to wash my feet?”

Y’shua answered him, “You do not understand what I am doing now; but later on you will understand.”

Peter said to Him, “You shall never wash my feet!”

Y’shua answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.”

Then Simon Peter said to Him, “Master, not just my feet, but also my hands and my head!”

Y’shua said to him, “He who has had a bath needs to wash only his feet, and then he is completely clean. And you are clean, but not all of you!” - for He knew who would betray Him. For this reason He said, “Not all of you are clean.”

So when He had washed their feet, and had taken His garments, He sat down again, saying to them:

“Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Master; and you are right, for so I am. If I then, the Master and the Teacher have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. For I gave you an example so that you should do as I have done to you. I am telling you this truth; a slave is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

“ONE OF YOU WILL BETRAY ME!”

“I do not speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen; but this is so that the Scripture may be fulfilled,

ONE WHO EATS BREAD WITH ME HAS LIFTED UP HIS HEEL AGAINST ME.            [Psalm 41:9]

“From now on I am telling you, before it comes to pass, so that when it does occur, you may believe that I am.

“I tell you the truth, he who receives anyone I send, receives Me; and he who receives Me, receives Him who sent Me.”

When Y’shua had said this, He was troubled in spirit and testified, saying, “I am telling you the truth; one of you will betray Me.”

The disciples then began looking at one another, at a loss to know of whom He was speaking. And one of His disciples (John), whom Y’shua loved, was reclining, leaning upon Y’shua. Simon Peter therefore gestured to him to ask who it was of whom He spoke. Then leaning more on Y’shua, John asked Him, “Master, who is it?”

Y’shua answered, “It is the one to whom I will give the piece of bread after I have dipped it.”

So after dipping the piece of bread, He gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. And after receiving the piece of bread, Satan entered into him.

Y’shua then said to him, “What you must do, do quickly.”

Now no one reclining at the table knew why He had said this to him. Some were supposing that since Judas had the money bag, Y’shua was saying to him, “Buy what we need for the feast”; or else, that he should give something to the poor. And so, after receiving the piece of bread, he went out immediately; and it was night.

When Judas had gone out, Y’shua 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 will glorify Him immediately.

“Little children, I will be with you only a little while longer. You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, ‘Where I am going, you are unable to come,’ now I say this to you also.

“A new commandment I give you:

LOVE ONE ANOTHER!

“Just as I have loved you, you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

PETER’S FAILURE FORETOLD

JOHN 13:36-38. LUKE 22:31-38

Simon Peter said to Him, “Master, where are You going?” Y’shua answered him, “Where I go, you cannot follow Me now; but afterwards you will follow Me.”

Peter said to Him, “Master, why can I not follow You now? I will lay down my life for You.”

Y’shua answered him, “Will you lay down your life for Me? I am telling you the truth, a cock will not crow until you have denied Me three times.”

The Master said, “Simon, Simon! Look, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”

Y’shua asked the disciples, “When I sent you out without purse, bag and sandals, you did not lack anything, did you?” And they said, “No, nothing.”

And He said to them, “But now, let him who has a purse take it along, likewise also a bag; and let him who has no sword sell his garment and buy one. For I tell you, that this which is written must be fulfilled in Me - AND HE WAS CLASSED AMONG CRIMINALS; for that which refers to Me has its fulfilment.”

And they said, “Master, look, here are two swords.” And He said to them, “It is enough.”

THE MASTER’S LAST MESSAGES

John records the Messiah’s last messages to the disciples before His crucifixion. They form chapters 14, 15 & 16 of John's Gospel. Each chapter provides much comfort and instruction for us today, as well as for the first disciples.

“I WILL COME AGAIN”

JOHN 14:1-14

“Let not your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s House are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you, for I am going there 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, so that you also may be where I am. And you know where I am going, and you know the way there.”

Thomas said to Him, “Master, we do not know where You are going; how can we know the way?” Y’shua answered him,

“I AM the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE,

no-one comes to the Father, except through Me. If you had really known Me, you would have known My Father also. From now on you know Him, and have seen Him.”

Philip said to Him, “Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.”

Y’shua said to him, “Have you not come to know Me yet, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how do you say then, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own initiative. Rather it is the Father living in Me who is doing His works. Believe Me that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me; otherwise believe because of the evidence of the works themselves.

“I tell you the truth, he who believes (trusts in and has faith) in Me will also do the works that I do; and he will do even greater works than these, because I go to the Father. And whatever you ask in My Name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My Name, I will do it.”

“PEACE I LEAVE WITH YOU”

JOHN 14:27-31. 16:32-33

“My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. You heard that I said to you, ‘I am going away, and I am coming to you.’ If you loved Me, you would have rejoiced, because I said I am going to the Father; for the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it happens, so that when it does happen, you will believe.

“I will not speak with you much longer, for the ruler of the world is coming, and he has nothing in Me; but I do as the Father has commanded Me so that the world may know that I love the Father. Get up, let us go from here.”

“Look, an hour is coming, and has already come, when you will be scattered, each in his own direction, and you will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, but take courage! I have overcome the world.”

(JOHN CHAPTERS 15 & 16 ARE AT THE END OF THIS SERIES.)

Y’SHUA’S INTERCESSORY PRAYER

JOHN 17:1-26

Knowing that the time had come for Him to lay down His life for the sins of the world," Y’shua prayed for His disciples, and for all who would believe through them.

Y’shua spoke these words, lifting up His eyes to heaven:

“Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son so that Your Son may glorify You. For You gave Him authority over all people, that He may give eternal life to all whom You have given Him. And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Y’shua the Messiah whom You have sent.

“I glorified You on earth; I have accomplished the work which You gave Me to do. And now glorify Me together with Yourself, Father, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.

“I have revealed Your Name to the men whom You gave Me out of the world. They were Yours, and You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your Word. Now they have come to know that everything You have given Me is from You, for the words which You gave Me, I have given to them; and they have received them, and have truly under-stood that I came from You, and they have believed that You sent Me. I pray for them. I do not ask for the world, but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours, and all that are Mine are Yours; and Yours are Mine; and I have been 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 those whom You have given Me through Your Name, the Name which You have given Me, that they may be one, even as We are. While I was with them in the world, I was keeping them through Your Name which You have given Me. I have kept those whom You have given Me, and not one of them has perished except ‘the son of destruction,’ that the Scripture might be fulfilled. But now I come to You. And I speak these words while I am in the world, so that My joy may be full and complete in them.

“I have given them Your Word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I do not ask that You take them out of the world, but that You keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in 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 in truth.

“I do not ask for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word - that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me, and I am in You, that they also may be one in Us; so that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, so that they may be one, just as We are one - I in them, and You in Me, so that they may be perfected into one, and that the world may know that You sent Me and that You have loved them even as You have loved Me.

“Father, I desire that those whom You have given Me might be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.

“O righteous Father, although the world has not known You, yet I have known You, and these have known that You sent Me; and I have made Your Name known to them, and will make it known, so that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”

Y’SHUA ARRESTED

MARK 14:32-50, LUKE 22:51, MATTHEW 26:52-53

Then they came to a place named Gethsemane; and Y’shua said to His disciples, “Sit here while I pray.”

And He took Peter, James and John with Him, and began to be deeply distressed and troubled. “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” He said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.”

He went a little beyond them and fell to the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass Him by. “Abba,” (which means Father),” He said, “all things are possible for You. Take away this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You will, be done.”

Then he came and found His disciples sleeping. He said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Have you not been able to keep watch for one hour? Watch and pray so that you may not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”

Once more He went a little apart and prayed the same words. Then turning He again found them sleeping, because their eyes were very heavy; and they did not know what to answer Him.

Returning the third time, He said to them, “Sleep on now! Take your rest! It is enough! The hour has come. Look! The Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up! Let us go! See, here comes My betrayer!”

Just then, while He was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared. With him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, the scribes and the elders of the Sanhedrin.

Now His betrayer had given them a signal: “The one I shall kiss is the One; seize Him, and lead Him away under guard.” So when he came, he at once went up to Y’shua and said, “Rabbi!”, and kissed Him.

Then they seized Y’shua and arrested Him. But one of those who were standing near, drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. But Y’shua said, “Stop! No more of this. Put your sword back into its place; 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?” Then He touched the man’s ear and healed him.

Y’shua then said to them, “Have you come with swords and clubs out to arrest Me, as against a robber? Every day I was with you teaching in the temple, and you did not arrest Me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.”

Then all the disciples deserted Him and fled.

OLIVE TREES IN THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE - EASTERN SIDE OF JERUSALEM

Photo by courtesy of www.BiblePlaces.com

Y’SHUA EXAMINED BY THE PRIESTS

JOHN 18:12-14, 19-24

So the band of soldiers and the commander, and the officers of the Jews, seized Y’shua and bound Him, and led Him away to Annas first, for he was father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year.

Now Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it was expedient for one man to die on behalf of the people. The high priest therefore questioned Y’shua about His disciples, and about His teaching.

 A JEWISH HIGH PRIEST

Y’shua answered him, “I have spoken openly to the world; I always taught in synagogues, and in the temple, where all the Jews come together; and I spoke nothing in secret. Why do you question Me? Ask those who have heard what I spoke to them. Look, they know what I said!”

And when He had said this, one of the officers standing nearby gave Y’shua a blow, saying, “Is that the way You answer the high priest?”

Y’shua answered him, “If I have spoken wrongly, bear witness of the wrong; but if rightly, why do you strike Me?”

Annas therefore sent Him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.

PETER DENIES HIS MASTER

JOHN 18:15-18, 25-27

Simon Peter and another disciple were following Y’shua. Now that disciple was known to the high priest, and he entered with Y’shua into the courtyard of the high priest, but Peter was standing at the door outside. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the doorkeeper, and brought Peter in.

The servant girl who kept the door said to Peter, “Are you also one of this Man’s disciples?” He said, “I am not.”

Now the servants and officers who had made a fire of coal were standing there, warming themselves because it was cold. And Peter was standing with them and warming himself. ... And they said to him, “Are you also one of His disciples?” He denied it, saying, “I am not!”

One of the servants of the high priest, being a relative of the one whose ear Peter cut off, said, “Didn’t I see you in the garden with Him?”

Peter then denied again; and immediately a cock crowed.

THE TRIAL OF Y’SHUA

LUKE 22:63-71

The men who were holding Y’shua in custody were mocking and beating Him; and having blindfolded Him, they were striking Him on the face, asking Him, “Prophesy! Who is it that stuck You?” And many other blasphemous and insulting things they spoke against Him.

And when it was day, the elders of the people, both chief priests and scribes (teachers of the law) came together, and they led Him away to their Sanhedrin, saying, “If You are the Messiah, tell us.”

But He said to them, “If I tell you, you will definitely not believe; and if I ask a question, you will certainly not answer. But from now on,

THE SON OF MAN WILL BE SEATED AT THE RIGHT HAND of the power of God.” [Psalm 110:1]

And they all said, “Are You then the Son of God?” And He said to them, “You say that I am.” And they said, “What further witness do we need? For we have heard it ourselves from His own mouth.”

BEFORE PILATE THE GOVERNOR

MARK 15:1. LUKE 23:2-16, 18

Then they put Y’shua in chains, led Him away, and turned Him over to Pilate, the Roman Governor.

And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this man misleading the nation and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, and saying that He Himself is Messiah, a King.”

So Pilate asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?”

And He answered him, “It is as you say.”

Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowd, “I find no guilt in this man.” But they kept on insisting, “He stirs up the people, teaching all over Judea, beginning from Galilee, and reaching to this place.”

But when Pilate heard “Galilee,” he asked whether the Man were a Galilean. And when he learned that He belonged to Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time.

BEFORE KING HEROD

Now Herod was very glad when he saw Y’shua, for he had wanted to see Him for a long time, because he had been hearing about Him and was hoping to see Him perform some miracle. So he questioned Him at great length, but He answered him nothing. And the chief priests and the scribes stood there, accusing Him intensely.

Then Herod with his soldiers, after treating Him with contempt and mocking Him, dressed Him in a gorgeous robe and sent Him back to Pilate. Now Herod and Pilate became friends with one another that very day; for before they had been at enmity with each other.

“AWAY WITH THIS MAN!”

Then Pilate, having called together the chief priests, the rulers, and the people, said to them. “You have brought this Man to me, as one who incites the people to rebellion. And indeed, having examined Him in your presence, I have found no fault in this Man concerning those things of which you accuse Him; and neither did Herod, for he sent Him back to us. And look, He has done nothing worthy of death. I will therefore chastise Him and release Him.”

But they all cried out - the whole crowd, saying, “Away with this Man, and release to us Barabbas.”

“CRUCIFY HIM!”

MARK 15:3-20

The chief priests kept on persistently accusing Him of many things, but He answered nothing. So Pilate questioned Him again: “Do You make no answer? See how many charges they bring against You!”

But Y’shua still made no reply, so that Pilate was amazed.

Now at the Feast it was the custom of Pilate to release any one prisoner whom the people requested. And there was a man named Barabbas in prison along with other insurrectionists who had committed murder in the uprising. And the crowd came and began asking Pilate to do just as he had always done for them.

Pilate asked them: “Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” For he was aware that it was out of envy that the chief priests had handed Y’shua over to him. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to ask him to release for them Barabbas instead.

Again Pilate asked them, “What shall I do, then, with the One you call the King of the Jews?” “Crucify Him!” they shouted back.

“Why, what crime has He done?” Pilate asked.

But they shouted all the more, “Crucify Him!”

So wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them; and after having Y’shua scourged - flogged with a spiked whip, he handed Him over to be crucified.

Then the soldiers led Him away into the courtyard of the palace, that is the Praetorium - the Governor’s headquarters, and they called together the whole company of Roman soldiers. There they dressed Him in a purple garment, and after twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on His head; and they began to salute Him:

“Hail, King of the Jews!” And they kept on beating His head with a staff, spitting on Him, and kneeling and bowing in mockery before Him. And after they had finished making sport of Him, they took the purple garment off Him, and put His own clothes on Him. Then they led Him out to crucify Him.                                       

JUDAS ISCARIOT HANGS HIMSELF

MATTHEW 27:3-7

Then when Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that Y’shua had been condemned, he repented (he was seized with remorse) and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” But they said, “What is that to us? See to that yourself!”

Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the sanctuary and departed, and went away and hanged himself.

And the chief priests took the silver pieces and said, “It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, because they are the price of blood.” So they took counsel and bought with the silver, the potter’s field, for the burial of strangers.

ON THE WAY TO CALVARY

LUKE 23:26-30

And as they led Y’shua away, they laid hold of one Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country, and placed the cross on him, to carry it behind Y’shua.

And a great number of the people were following Him, and women who also were mourning and wailing for Him. But Y’shua, turning to them, said,

“Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for your-selves and for your children. For look, the days are coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed!’ Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us,’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us’.”

PART 12

THE CRUCIFIXION OF THE MESSIAH,

HIS BURIAL, AND RESURRECTION

THE CRUCIFIXION OF THE MESSIAH

Luke 23:32-33. Matthew 27:34. Luke 23:34. John 19:23-24. Luke 23:35-38. John 19:21-22. Mark 15:29-30. Luke 23:39-43. John 19:25-27. Matt. 27:45-49. John 19:28-30. Luke 23:46. Matt. 27:51-53. John 19:31-37. Luke 23:47-49.

Crucifixion was a most cruel form of Roman execution. It was reserved for the worst criminals, and was aimed at deterring rebellion and extreme forms of crime. The cruel punishment allotted out to offenders was exhibited in public. A criminal was tied to a wooden cross or stake, and then nails were driven through his hands and feet. The cross was then dropped into a hole, so that the condemned person was suspended above the ground. He was then left to die in great agony. Often the criminal was scourged (severely whipped) beforehand, so that his body was weakened. Death would come after some hours, or sometimes after some days. But if for any reason, authorities wanted to hasten the death of the criminal, they would break his legs.

There were two others, both criminals, also led out with Y’shua to be executed. And when they came to Calvary, the place called “The Skull,” there they crucified Him along with the criminals - one of His right, the other on His left.

GOLGOTHA – THE PLACE OF A SKULL

The soldiers offered Him wine mingled with gall to drink. And after tasting it, He would not drink. Then Y’shua prayed;

“FATHER, FORGIVE THEM, FOR THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING.”

Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Y’shua, 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.

So they said to each other, ‘Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it - whose it shall be.’ This was so that the Scripture might be fulfilled which says, THEY DIVIDED MY GARMENTS AMONG THEM, AND FOR MY CLOTHING THEY CAST LOTS. [Psalm 22:18]

Now the people stood watching, but the rulers scoffed and sneered at Him. “He saved others,” they said, “let Him save Himself if He is really the Messiah, the One chosen by God.”

The soldiers also, coming up and offering Him sour wine, made sport of Him, saying, “If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself!” For there was also an inscription above Him, written in Greek, Latin and Hebrew which read:

“THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.”

So 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.”

And those passing by were blaspheming Him, wagging their heads and saying, “Ha! You who destroy the Temple and build it in three days, save Yourself, and come down from the stake!”

Then one of the criminals who were hanging there, hurled abuse at Him: “Aren’t You the Messiah? Save Yourself and us!” But the other criminal rebuked the first: “Don’t you even fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence?         We are being punished justly, getting what we deserve for our crime; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said to Y’shua, “Master, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!” And Y’shua answered him;

“I ASSURE YOU,

TODAY YOU WILL BE WITH ME IN PARADISE.”

Now standing near the cross of Y’shua were His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.

Then Y’shua, seeing His mother and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, said to His mother,

“WOMAN, SEE YOUR SON!”

Then to the disciple He said,

“SEE YOUR MOTHER!”

And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home.

Now from the sixth hour (12 midday) darkness fell upon all the land until the ninth hour (3 pm). And about the ninth hour Y’shua cried out with a loud voice, saying,

“Eli, Eli, lemah shebachtani?” [Psalm 22:1], that is,

“MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?”

Some of those standing there, when they heard this, said, “This Man is calling for Elijah.” And immediately one of them ran, and taking a sponge, filled it with sour wine, and put it on a reed, and gave Him to drink. But the rest of them said, “Leave it. Let us see if Elijah comes to save Him.”                         

After this, Y’shua, knowing that all things were now accomplished, in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said;

“I AM THIRSTY!”

Now a jar full of sour wine was standing there; so they put a sponge full of sour wine upon a branch of hyssop, and held it up to His mouth. So when Y’shua had received the sour wine, He said;

“IT IS FINISHED!”

Then Y’shua called out with a loud voice;

“FATHER, INTO YOUR HANDS I COMMIT MY SPIRIT.”

And with these words He gave up His spirit and breathed His last.

At that moment, the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom, and the earth shook; and the rocks were split, and the tombs were opened; and the bodies of many holy believers who had fallen asleep (died), were raised; and coming out of the tombs after His resurrection, they entered the holy city and appeared to many.”

Because it was the day of preparation, that the bodies should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate to have their legs broken, and that they be taken away. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first man, and of the other who was crucified with Him. But when they came to Y’shua 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 instantly blood and water came out. And he who has seen all this has witnessed, and his witness is true; and he knows that he is speaking the truth, so that you also may believe. For these things took place, in order for the Scriptures to be fulfilled: NOT ONE OF HIS BONES SHALL BE BROKEN. [Psalm 34:20]. And again another Scripture says, THEY SHALL LOOK ON HIM WHOM THEY PIERCED. [Zechariah 12:10]

The centurion, seeing what had happened, began to praise God, and said, “Without doubt this was a righteous Man.” And when all the crowds that had gathered to witness this spectacle saw what took place, they returned home beating their breasts.

But all the acquaintances of Y’shua, including the women who accompanied Him from Galilee, were standing at a distance, watching these things.                                                 

THE BURIAL OF Y’SHUA’S DEAD BODY

LUKE 23:50-56.

THE EMPTY TOMB OUTSIDE THE GATES OF JERUSALEM –

MANY BELIEVE THIS WAS THE ACTUAL TOMB OF THE MESSIAH

And there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council - a good and righteous man, who had not consented to their plan and action; a man of 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 Y’shua.

Then he took it down, wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid it in a tomb cut into rock, where no-one had ever lain before. And it was the Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was about to begin.

Now the women who had come with Y’shua out of Galilee followed and saw the tomb and how His body was laid. Then they returned and prepared spices and perfumes. And on the Sabbath they rested according to the command.

THE RESTING PLACE INSIDE THE GARDEN TOMB WHERE THE DEAD BODY OF Y’SHUA LAY FOR THREE DAYS

Photo by courtesy of www.BiblePlaces.com

THE TOMB SEALED

MATTHEW 27:62-66

Now the next day, that is, the one after the preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered together to Pilate, and said, “Sir, we remember that when He was still alive, that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ Therefore, give orders for the tomb to be made secure until the third day, lest the disciples come by night and steal Him away and say to the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last deception will be worse than the first.”

So Pilate said to them, “You have a guard; go, make it as secure as you know how.” And they went and made the tomb secure, and as well as the guard, they set a seal on the stone.

THE RESURRECTION OF THE MESSIAH

Mark 16:1-3. Matt 28:2-8. John 20:3-10. John 20:11-18. Matt 28:9-15

And when the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him. And very early on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun was rising. And they said to one another, “Who will roll away the stone from the entrance of the tomb for us?”

Then suddenly there was a severe earthquake, for an angel of YHWH the LORD came down from heaven and came to the tomb. He rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were as white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

And looking up, the women saw that the stone had been rolled away already - for it was extremely large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right, wearing a white robe; and they were alarmed.

Then the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Y’shua, the One who was crucified. He is not here, for He has been raised, just as He said. Come, see the place where He lay. Then go quickly and tell His disciples ‘He has been raised from the dead; and now He is going ahead of you into Galilee. You will see Him there.’ Note what I have told you!”

So they hurried away from the tomb, afraid, yet filled with great joy, and ran to tell His disciples.                                 

PETER AND JOHN ENTER THE EMPTY TOMB

Then Peter and the other disciple came out, and they went to the tomb. Both of them were running together, but the other disciple (John) outran Peter, and came to the tomb first; and stooping and looking in, he saw the linen wrappings lying there; but he did not go in.

Then Simon Peter who was behind him, arrived and went into the tomb. And he saw the

linen wrappings lying there, and the cloth which had been on Y’shua’s head, not lying with the linen wrappings, but folded up in a place by itself.

Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in. And he saw and believed. For they did not yet understand the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead. So the disciples went away again, by themselves.

MARY MAGDALENE SEES THE MASTER

Mary was standing outside, near the tomb, crying; and as she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting, one at the head, and one at the feet, where the body of Y’shua had been lying.

And they said to her, “Woman, why are you crying?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Master, and I do not know where they have laid Him.” When she had said this, she turned around and saw Y’shua standing there, and did not know that it was Him.

Y’shua said to her, “Woman, why are you crying? Whom are you seeking?”

Supposing Him to be the gardener, she said to Him, “Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away.”

Y’shua said to her, “Mary!”

She turned and exclaimed, “Rabboni!” (which in Hebrew means, Teacher).

Y’shua said to her, “Do not cling to Me; for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren, and tell them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God’.”

Then Mary Magdalene came, announcing to the disciples that she had seen the Master, and that He had said these things to her.

THE WOMEN MEET THE MASTER

As the women went, suddenly Y’shua met them and greeted them. Then they came close to Him, clasped His feet and worshipped Him. Then Y’shua said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go into Galilee, and they will see Me there.”

Now while the women were on their way, some of the soldiers who were guarding the tomb came into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. So after the chief priests met and consulted with the elders, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole Him away while we were asleep.’ And if this report gets to the governor, we will win him over and keep you out of trouble.” So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed; and this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.

TWO DISCIPLES WALK WITH THE MASTER

LUKE 24:13-35

Two disciples were going that same day to a village named Emmaus, which was about twelve kilometres from Jerusalem. And they were talking to each other about everything that had happened. Now while they were talking and reasoning, Y’shua Himself drew near and went with them, but their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him.

And He said to them, “What are you discussing together while walking along? Why are you looking sad?”

Then the one whose name was Cleopas, answered Him, “Are You the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know what has happened here during these days?”

And He said to them, “What things?”

And they said to Him, “The things concerning Y’shua of Nazareth, who was a Prophet, mighty in deed and word in the sight of God and all the people, and how the chief priests and our rulers gave Him over to be condemned to death, and crucified Him. But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, today is the third day since these things happened.

“And also some women among us astonished us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, and did not find His body. But they came saying they had seen a vision of angels who said that He was alive. And some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but Y'shua Himself they did not see.”

And Y’shua said to them, “O foolish and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary for the Messiah to suffer these things before entering into His glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.

As they approached the village where they were going, He acted as though He would go further. But they urged Him, saying, “Stay with us, for it is getting toward evening, and the day is now nearly over.”

So He went in to stay with them. And it came about that when He sat at the table with them, He took the bread and blessed it, and breaking it, He began giving it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognized Him; and He vanished from their sight.

Then they said to one another, “Were not our hearts burning within us as He was speaking to us on the road, and as He was explaining the Scriptures to us?” So they rose up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, who told them, “The Master has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon.”

And they began to relate their experiences on the road and how they recognized Him when He broke the bread.

Y’SHUA APPEARS TO THE DISCIPLES IN A LOCKED ROOM

JOHN 20:19-31

Then on the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Y’shua came and stood among them, and said, “Peace to you.”

And when He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. The disciples therefore rejoiced when they saw the Master. Then Y’shua said to them again, “Peace to you. As the Father has sent Me, I am also sending you.”

And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of anyone, their sins are forgiven; if you retain the sins of anyone, they are retained.”

But Thomas, called Didymus, one of the twelve, was not with them when Y’shua came. So later the other disciples were telling him, “We have seen the Master!”

But Thomas said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the mark of the nails, and put my finger into the imprint of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.”

THOMAS ALSO SEES THE RISEN MASTER

After eight days His disciples were again inside a room, and Thomas was with them; the doors being locked. And Y’shua came and stood among them, and said, “Peace to you.”

Then He said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see My hands; and stretch out your hand, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.”

Thomas answered, saying to Him, “My Master and my God!”

Y’shua said to him, “Because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are they who have not seen, and yet have believed.”

And Y’shua did many other signs also in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Y’shua is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that, believing, you may have life in His Name.

THE SAVIOUR APPEARS TO THE DISCIPLES AT GALILEE

JOHN 21:1-25

After this Y’shua showed Himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias. He appeared in this way:

Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going out to fish.” They said to him, “We also will go with you.”

So they went out, and immediately got into the boat. But that night they caught nothing.

Now early in the morning, Y’shua was standing on the beach; yet the disciples did not know that it was Y’shua. Then Y’shua said to them, “Young fellows, do you have any meat - any fish?” They answered Him, “No.”

Then He said to them, “Throw the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find a catch.”

So they threw the net, and then they were not able to haul it in because of the large number of fish. That disciple whom Y’shua loved then said to Peter, “It is the Master!”

When Simon Peter heard that it was the Master, he put on his outer garment (for he was stripped for work), and jumped into the sea. But the other disciples came in the little boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land - about one hundred yards away.

So when they had come to the land, they saw a fire of coals there with fish laid on it, and bread. Y’shua said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have just caught.”

Simon Peter went up and dragged the net to land. It was filled with a hundred and fifty-three large fish; and although there were so many, the net was not broken.

Y’shua said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” And none of the disciples ventured to ask Him, “Who are You?” They knew it was the Master. Y’shua came and took the bread, and gave them, and the fish likewise. This was now the third time that Y’shua appeared to His disciples (as a group), after He was raised from the dead.

SIMON PETER’S COMMISSION

So when they had eaten breakfast, Y’shua said to Simon Peter, “‘Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Master! You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.”

He said to him again, the second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Master. You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Shepherd My sheep.”

Y’shua said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Master, You know all things; You know that I love You.”

Y’shua said to him, “Feed My sheep. I am telling you the truth; when you were younger, you used to dress yourself, and walk wherever you wished; but when you grow old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you, and carry you where you do not wish to go.”

Now this He said, signifying by what kind of death Peter would glorify God - crucifixion. (Peter was indeed crucified in Rome some years later). And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me!”

Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Y’shua loved following them; that is, John, who also had leaned over Him at the supper, and said, “Master, who is the one who betrays You?”

Seeing him, Peter said to Y’shua, “Master, and what about this man?” Y’shua said to him, “If I want him to remain until I come back, what is that to you? You follow Me!”

Then this word went out among the brethren that that disciple (John) would not die. However, Y’shua did not say to him that he would not die; but only, “If I want him to remain until I come back, what is that to you?”

The writer of this Gospel (John) is the disciple who testifies of these things, and wrote these things; and we know that his witness is true.

And there are also many other things which Y’shua did, which if they were written in detail, I suppose that even the world itself would not have room for all the books that would be written.

END PART 12