What Jesus Did

Peter said, "Lord, I am ready to go to prison with you, and even to die with you."
But Jesus said, "Peter, let me tell you something. Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me."

—Luke 22:33-34 NLT

Key Thought​

One of our weaknesses as mere mortals is to overstate our courage. So often, we fail to realize the power of fear — why else would the Bible contain so many commands not to be afraid? Peter's intentions were genuine, but...

 

[Jesus continued,] "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers."

—Luke 22:31-32 NLT

Key Thought​

Most of us would define Peter's denials of the LORD as failures. In some of Jesus' worst moments, Peter denied he had any connection with the LORD [1] even though a short time before his denials, he had been...

 

[To the apostles, Jesus continued,] "You have stayed with me in my time of trial. And just as my Father has granted me a Kingdom, I now grant you the right to eat and drink at my table in my Kingdom. And you will sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel."

—Luke 22:28-30 NLT

Key Thought​

While all of Jesus' apostles did forsake him and run away during his arrest, trial, and crucifixion, [1] they had been true to him to this point in his ministry. He let them know that...

 

[At the Last Supper, after Jesus told the apostles one of them would betray him,] they began to argue among themselves about who would be the greatest among them. Jesus told them, "In this world the kings and great men lord it over their people, yet they are called 'friends of the people.' But among you it will be different. Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant. Who is more important, the one who sits at the table or the...

 

[During the Passover meal, Jesus continued,] "But here at this table, sitting among us as a friend, is the man who will betray me. For it has been determined that the Son of Man must die. But what sorrow awaits the one who betrays him." The disciples began to ask each other which of them would ever do such a thing.

—Luke 22:21-23 NLT

Key Thought​

"Am I the one?" That's the basic question that the disciples were asking. [1] It is also the question that we need to be asking...

 

When the time came, Jesus and the apostles sat down together at the table. Jesus said, "I have been very eager to eat this Passover meal with you before my suffering begins. For I tell you now that I won't eat this meal again until its meaning is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God."
Then he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. Then he said, "Take this and share it among yourselves. For I will not drink wine again until the Kingdom of God has come."

He took some bread and gave...

 

Now the Festival of Unleavened Bread arrived, when the Passover lamb is sacrificed. Jesus sent Peter and John ahead and said, "Go and prepare the Passover meal, so we can eat it together."
"Where do you want us to prepare it?" they asked him.

He replied, "As soon as you enter Jerusalem, a man carrying a pitcher of water will meet you. Follow him. At the house he enters, say to the owner, 'The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room where I can eat the Passover meal with my disciples?' He...

 

The Festival of Unleavened Bread, which is also called Passover, was approaching. The leading priests and teachers of religious law were plotting how to kill Jesus, but they were afraid of the people's reaction.
Then Satan entered into Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve disciples, and he went to the leading priests and captains of the Temple guard to discuss the best way to betray Jesus to them. They were delighted, and they promised to give him money. So he agreed and began looking...

 

Every day Jesus went to the Temple to teach, and each evening he returned to spend the night on the Mount of Olives. The crowds gathered at the Temple early each morning to hear him.

—Luke 21:37-38 NLT

Key Thought​

At this point, Jesus still found eager listeners. His habit during this last week in Jerusalem before his crucifixion was consistent. The Mount of Olives was his place of rest and prayer. The Temple was his location during the day. The people could find him, and they...

 

[Jesus continued talking about his return,] "Watch out! Don't let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Don't let that day catch you unaware, like a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth. Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man."

—Luke 21:34-36 NLT

Key Thought​

Jesus repeatedly warned his disciples during the latter...