Jesus’ Journey of Resurrection
(This Weekly Prayer Summary was written by Devi Susanto, from the CBC English Prayer Ministry Core Team, and edited by Brigitta Tedja)
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Every year during the Passover week, Pastor Joyce would read the chapters of the crucifixion and the resurrection of Jesus to remind her how much Jesus loves her. We know our Lord died for us, we have heard and read how He died for us, but reading it every year, will remind us of WHO HE IS as our Redeemer, our God who loves us, our Deliverer, our Healer, our Helper, as well as our Peace and our Joy. She reads the chapters afresh, and it blesses her every time.
The atmosphere of Passover is different than Christmas, it is so much more peaceful since Christmas is often times a hectic season. Pastor Joyce encourages us to follow what she does every year; Read the account of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. It is not too late for you to read the verses today and throughout next week. This Passover Day, Pastor Joyce is asking all of us to read and meditate on the verses together.
JESUS’ JOURNEY OF RESURRECTION
JUDAS’ BETRAYAL
Matthew 26:1-2 NIV “When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples, ‘As you know, the Passover is two days away—and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.’”
Key word is Passover. The word “Easter” is not biblical—it came from pagan culture. We Christians celebrate Passover and state, “Happy Passover” or “Happy Resurrection Day.”
Matthew 26:20-25 NIV “When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. And while they were eating, he said, ‘Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.’ They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, ‘Surely you don’t mean me, Lord?’ Jesus replied, ‘The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.’ Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, ‘Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?’ Jesus answered, ‘You have said so.’”
THE LORD'S SUPPER
Matthew 26:26-30 NIV “While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, ‘Take and eat; this is my body.’ Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.’ When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.”
Jesus said, “Do this in remembrance of me.” in the book of John. In remembrance of what?
Every time you drink the grape juice at the Lord’s supper, it represents the blood of the covenant.
Verse 28: “My blood of covenant, which is poured out for the forgiveness of sins.”
Did you know that Jesus lost a lot of blood?To remember the sacrifice and the suffering that Jesus went through for us so that we will not compromise with our faith.
PETER’S DENIAL
Matthew 26:31-35 “Then Jesus told them, ‘This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written: ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered. But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.’ Peter replied, ‘Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.’ ‘Truly I tell you,’ Jesus answered, ‘this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.’ But Peter declared, ‘Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.’ And all the other disciples said the same.”
The following verses occurred only hours after Peter declared he would never disown Jesus.
Matthew 26:69-75 NIV “Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. ‘You also were with Jesus of Galilee,’ she said. But he denied it before them all. ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about,’ he said. Then he went out to the gateway, where another servant girl saw him and said to the people there, ‘This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth.’ He denied it again, with an oath: ‘I don’t know the man!’ After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, ‘Surely you are one of them; your accent gives you away.’ Then he began to call down curses, and he swore to them, ‘I don’t know the man!’ Immediately a rooster crowed. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: ‘Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.’ And he went outside and wept bitterly.”
A question to every one of us, young and old, and in between: If Peter were to re-experience the event that happened that night, what do you think he would do? If you were Peter and you were given a second chance to experience the event, what would you do?
What Jesus said to him was a very sharp statement, “You are going to betray me or disown me three times before the rooster crows.” This is so very sharp! It would be like if Pastor Joyce’s husband would say to her, “Joyce in three months, you are going to leave me for another man.”
There are two things that she can do after hearing sharp words from her husband:
1. She can react, and reaction usually happens spontaneously and emotionally. Just like Peter, we can say, “That is impossible! That is from the devil! I love you and I will love you until death!”
2. Or we can practice James 1:19. “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.”
Pay attention here, many times we are so slow to listen, but quick to speak. This is called a reaction. Quick to speak means we react instead of answering. There is a big difference between reaction and answering.
To react is always quick.
To answer means to process first and then it comes out of the mouth. It is not based on emotion, but based on knowledge.
So, if Peter was given a chance to re-experience what happened that night, perhaps he would not react too fast to what Jesus said. He would stay quiet and process it first. Then, when he is at the court yard, he would be very careful in answering the people there and he definitely would not curse.
There were two disciples of Jesus who denied Him that night:
1. Peter, but he repented, even though he denied Jesus with an oath and a curse.
2. Judas, he did not repent but committed suicide. Many Christians commits spiritual suicide. They know they sinned, but they fail to recognize that Jesus is the forgiver of their sins BIG TIME.
THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE
Matthew 26: 36-46 NIV “Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, ‘Sit here while I go over there and pray.’ He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, ‘My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.’ Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.’ Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. ‘Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?’ he asked Peter. ‘Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.’ He went away a second time and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.’ When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. So, he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing. Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, ‘Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!’”
Two things we learn from the Garden of Gethsemane:
1. That Jesus will die tomorrow. Can you imagine if you are in Jesus’ shoes? Jesus was a human being also, imagine if it was you—it is just unimaginable, isn’t it? This is what our God experienced so that we all can be saved.
2. Verse 40: “Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?” Meaning, “Guys, can’t you be alert in prayer with me, can’t you pray with me for one hour?” Why did Jesus say one hour, why not 30 minutes, why not 45 minutes? Because to defeat this flesh and mind, a 10 or 20-minute prayer is not enough. It is not even enough if you pray 30 minutes or 45 minutes.
WHEN YOU PRAY FOR 1 HOUR, YOU WILL EXPERIENCE THE SUPERNATURAL, THE PRESENCE OF GOD, VICTORY, AND A BIG TRANSFORMATION.
3. Jesus said, “The spirit is willing but the flesh (body) is weak.”
Matthew 26: 47-56 NIV “While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.” Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, ‘Greetings, Rabbi!’ and kissed him. Jesus replied, ‘Do what you came for, friend.’ Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. ‘Put your sword back in its place,’ Jesus said to him, ‘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? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?’ In that hour Jesus said to the crowd, ‘Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me. But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.’ Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.”
This is the story of when Jesus was arrested.
1. Luke 22: 51 “No more of this! And he touched the man’s ear and healed him.”
Notice how Jesus performed His last miracle:
- He did not go down to the ground to find the cut-off ear.
- While the man was screaming and bleeding, Jesus touched him, created a new ear, and healed him.
-Even during the last day of His life, while He was being arrested, He still healed.
2. Verse 55 states, “Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.” The disciples fled due to fear.
- Will you run away from Him when your challenge is so big and you are in so much fear?
- When YOU THINK your life is in danger, are you going to run away from Him?
- When your life is comfortable and suddenly fear comes, are you going to run away from Him?
3. Praying for one hour will make you not fear, it will make you live not according to what you see.
4. Had Peter prayed for one hour, he would not deny Jesus. He denied Jesus because he was filled with fear.
JESUS BEING JUDGED
Matthew 26:57-64 NIV “Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled. But Peter followed him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. He entered and sat down with the guards to see the outcome. The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward. Finally, two came forward and declared, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’” Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, ‘Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?’ But Jesus remained silent. The high priest said to him, ‘I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.’ ‘You have said so,’ Jesus replied. ‘But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.’ Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, ‘He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?’ ‘He is worthy of death,’ they answered. Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him.’”
Can we all learn to stop being busy and read the Bible? These verses are proper to read during Passover.
Matthew 27:11-14 NIV “Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, ‘Are you the king of the Jews?’ ‘You have said so,’ Jesus replied. When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. Then Pilate asked him, ‘Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?’ But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor.”
Jesus answered one question and made no further replies to Pilate “to the great amazement of the governor.” Who wants people to be amazed at you? Don’t talk too much, don’t talk with long sentences.
What are the questions that Jesus answered?
Only two “Are you the Messiah?” and, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered with just one line, “You have said so.” Why did He answer these particular questions? So that the world may know that He is the Messiah. The Jewish people does not believe in Jesus and are still waiting for the Messiah. Until today they are still waiting, but Jesus made it clear with one sentence.
THE TORTURE OF JESUS
Matthew 27:26-32 NIV “Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified. Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. ‘Hail, king of the Jews!’ they said. They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him. As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross.”
Jesus was flogged. With a whip made of leather, and on the tip of the whip, they put a sharp metal. Every time the whip hit his flesh; the metal would peel his skin. They did it for 39 times. So, imagine what His body looked like after the flogging.
Then Jesus was given a crown made of thorns. The thorn is about the size of a finger and it was not just placed on top of his head but pressed down onto his head.
After He wore the crown of thorns, they hit him with a staff, a thick wood. Jesus experienced bodily hemorrhage, brain damage, and the breaking of his bones. Isaiah 53 says, “He had no form.”—unrecognizable.
Then he had to carry the cross that was very heavy, until he could not handle it anymore and Simon from Cyrene had to help Him carry the cross. Keep in mind, Jesus did not sleep the night before, so imagine the experiences He went through just for us. His love is so powerful that He endured the most savage punishment, plus, endured dying on the cross for us.
This Should Shake Us Up!
JESUS CRUCIFIED
Matthew 27:35-38 NIV “When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. And sitting down, they kept watch over him there. Above his head they placed the written charge against him: This is Jesus, the king of the Jews. Two rebels were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left.”
THE DEATH OF JESUS
Matthew 27:45-50 NIV ”From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ‘Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?’ (which means ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”). When some of those standing there heard this, they said, ‘He’s calling Elijah. Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. The rest said, ‘Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.’ And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.”
In John 19:30, Jesus said: “It is finished!” Finished what? “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.” This only Son came to earth with the assignment to save all mankind through suffering and dying on the cross. When He said “It is finished!”, He completed His assignment so that whosoever shall believe in Him will not perish but have everlasting life!
Satan thought that he had won, but the statement, “It is finished!” was a statement of victory, and Satan had no idea at all that His death will lead into resurrection. Jesus did not stop at the cross.
Luke 23:39-43 “One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: ‘Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!’ But the other criminal rebuked him. ‘Don’t you fear God,’ he said, ‘since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.’ Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ Jesus answered him, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.’
Jesus was at the end of His life, and yet, he still won one more soul for the last time. Amazing!
JESUS’ RESURRECTION
Matthew 28:1-10 NIV “After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.’ So, the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. ‘Greetings,’ he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.’”
As we ponder further, on Friday His body was mutilated, brutally tortured, His face was without form, He lost a lot of blood, and was in indescribable agony. When He said during the Lord Supper, “This is my blood that was poured out for you”, He literally poured out His blood.
Then someone took His body that looked horrible and laid it in a dark tomb. Three days later, suddenly there was a power that was indescribable, it was so powerful that the human mind cannot describe it. That power entered Jesus’ body, He got up, stood up, and walked out of the tomb! Jesus is the only God who rose from the dead, no other gods resurrected. Muhamad and Buddha died, and other gods that people worship who have never lived.
To us, yes, the resurrection is a celebration, but this resurrection should also make us tremble. Tremble not because we are in fear, but tremble in the indescribable awe of who our God is.
Imagine what Peter, Mary Magdalene, and many other disciples experienced on that day. They met Jesus fully whole, complete without one spot of blood. Imaging them exclaiming, “My God, you are really alive from death?” They saw Jesus with no form three days ago. After that they saw life never the same again. They have no fear whatsoever. This is the reason why these people were SO BOLD in preaching the gospel. Persecution, fear, rejection was not part of their life AT ALL because they saw Jesus come alive from death.
Today we face so many challenges in our state, in our city, our country, and in the world, and in addition to that, we face challenges in our personal lives as well. Where is Jesus? Where is He now? We did not see Jesus come alive from death, so where is Jesus now? He is in you! He dwells permanently in you. Can you live without fear, can you be bold to preach the gospel? Jesus is in you! The bottom line is we need to change our lifestyle. A lifestyle that is always aware that Jesus is in us! Practice preaching the Gospel and be bold for the harvest! God wants to use us to be His instruments.
After we read what Jesus went through for us, what are you going to do with the rest of your life knowing that Jesus is alive in you?
Prayer Points:
Pray and time to meditate on the Passover message and remember what Jesus did to save us
His sacrifice, His suffering, His great love
Pray to no compromise our faith
Pray to not react but utilize James 1:19. “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.”
Pray to easily repent like Peter, not commit spiritual suicide like Judas
Pray for one hour to experience supernatural presence of God, have victory, and experience transformation
Pray that we complete our assignment just as Jesus completed His assignment
Pray for no more fear in our lives, and to be bold in preaching the Gospel
Pray for the Holy Spirit to show us what to do for the rest of our lives
Pray that we will serve Him for the rest of our lives to spread the truth of the resurrection in Jesus’ name
Pray for healing and deliverance
Pray for the advancement and completion of the Ministry Center according to the prophetic word