Passion Week: Thursday - Consecration

The Passion of the Christ. © Icon Productions

Consecration occurred Thursday, with divine preparations for the Passover meal and the Upper Room Discourse where Jesus' washed His disciples' feet, identified His betrayer, redefined greatness, foretold Peter's denials, and instituted the Lord's Supper. The Discourse continued covering worldly opposition, the Holy Spirit, and prayer for all believers while walking to the Garden of Gethsemane. Once there, Jesus prayed all night asking God to change the plan, but Jesus accepted His mission as Judas arrived with soldiers to arrest Jesus.

Early on Thursday, Peter & John make divine preparations for the Passover meal (as sovereignly arranged by Jesus).  When Jesus arrives he delivers the Upper Room Discourse which echoes and completes the his message in the Sermon on Mount.  First,     Jesus redefined greatness as Servant leadership by washing His disciples' feet to quell their argument over who is the greatest.  
Jesus then identified His betrayer – Judas.  Once identified Satan entered him and he leaves to betray Christ.   In anticipation of his death and the Messianic banquet in His Father's kingdom, Christ instituted the Lord's Supper as the sign of the New Covenant.Afterward he foretold of Peter's denials and warned them of their difficult future.  However, the disciples did not understand and literally told Jesus' they had two swords.

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After the Passover meal, Jesus gave another discourse while walking to the Garden of Gethsemane with his disciples which included: Christ's destination, that He is the vine & they are the branches, worldly opposition, the coming of paraclete (Holy Spirit), the prediction of Joy over His resurrection, the promise of answered prayer, and Jesus' prayer for all believers.

In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus left eight of His disciples at entrance and asked the inner circle of three to wait close by.  He prays three times to “let the cup pass from me.” After each bout of prayer Jesus reproves His disciples for not being watchful.  Jesus then accepts His mission to the cross as Judas arrives with soldiers/mob to arrest Him.  Judas betrays Him with a kiss and Jesus is seized.  Brash Peter cuts off the High Priest's servants ear, but Jesus rebukes Him and reattaches the ear.  He then addresses the mob for arresting Him privately when He has not been elusive. When Jesus' is arrested the disciples flee.

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