Freedom Story Part 2 - The Fulfillment
The situation was not simple, but the complexity was necessary. God had plan and it was time for things to move. A lot had to happen in a very short time. (John 11:43 to 18:18 nlt).
It started after Caiaphas’ statement to the High Council “it is better for you that one man to die for the people than for the whole nation to be destroyed” as his justification for killing Jesus. The ensuing debate led to the Jewish leaders beginning to plan his demise in earnest. Things were getting too tense and Jesus needed to get out of Jerusalem, so he went to his friends in Bethany. That night, before dinner, Mary had washed Jesus’ feet with a very expensive perfume and Judas Iscariot, letting his guard down and exposing who he really was, criticised and belittled her. Jesus rebuked him explaining that Mary, being deeply moved, was preparing him, annointing him, for his burial. Which no one quite understood.
Meanwhile the local community, hearing that he was back in Bethany, flocked to see him and Lazarus. When the Jewish leaders heard about it they were outraged, large numbers of their people had started following Jesus and leaving them. Their plan to fix everything was, kill Lazarus. After all, it was all his fault, he was raised from the dead and started this new enthusiasm for the teachings of Jesus. The scheming madness was getting out of control. The plan was moving fast.
It was almost Passover and Jesus needed to get back to Jerusalem for the plan to be completed. It was time, Old Testament prophecies needed to be fulfilled and his mission was reaching its peak. Everyone that had travelled to Bethany to see and hear him travelled back with Jesus. And, as it did in those days, word spread. The size of the crowd soared and the enthusiasm exploded. It was passover and the Messiah was here to free them, wasn’t he?
Just outside Jerusalem, before he actually entered the city, Jesus got the disciples to fetch a donkey for him to ride into the city, thus fulfilling Zechariah’s prophecy “…Look, your king is coming to you. He is righteous and victorious, yet he is humble, riding on a donkey” Zechariah 9:9 nlt.
The vast and noisy crowd had gathered on the road celebrating Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem, waving palm leaves and shouting “Hosannah” and “Hail the King of Israel”. The atmosphere and sheer number of Jesus followers was too much for the Pharisees, they couldn’t see past what they saw as their defeat. Their followers were deserting them in droves. However, they had no idea that a series of significant things that would change the world were about happen.
Some Greek believers in Jerusalem that had come for the Passover celebrations and they asked Phillip if they could meet wth Jesus - he was now reaching out to Gentiles (non-Jewsih people), not just the Jews.
Jesus’ statements ‘My time has not yet come’ became “My time has come” predicting his death and the whole reason for his coming.
Jesus plainly said “I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives” John 12:24 nlt. His death would bring the promise of new life for everyone.
Jesus said again “Now my soul is deeply troubled. Should I pray, ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But this is the very reason I came! Father, bring glory to your name. Then a voice spoke from heaven, saying, “I have already brought glory to my name, and I will do so again.” John 12:27-29 nlt
When Jesus spoke of his death the people responded with '“we understood scripture said the Messiah would live for ever” “how can you say the son of man will die?” For some their belief started to wain despite the miracles they’d seen. For others who still believed, they remained silent afraid of being expelled from the synagogue.
After all that there was just enough time for one more eventful meal with people that he loved. One last chance to teach them. The plotting was in its final phase, just waiting on the betrayal they’d paid for.
Jesus washed the disciples feet - servanthood. Peter refused, then wanted a shower!
He reveals his imminent betrayal and the betrayer. Judas left to lead the soldiers Jesus.
Jesus predicts Peters 3 denials of knowing him - fear overtaking trust
He points the way to God the Father and promises the Holy Spirit will take his place.
Leaves them with the gift of peace. Teaches on the Vine and the Gardener, opposition, the work of the Spirit and His resurrection, now Jesus was speaking plainly and not figuratively. He prays with the disciples for the final time then it was time to leave.
They walked together across the Kidron Valley to a small olive grove on the side of the Mount of Olives (Gethsemane) where Jesus often went to pray on his own. The betrayal of Judas happened here, soldiers came, Peter cut someone’s ear off and Jesus was arrested. Things were coming together, just not the way people expected them to. To be continued…..
