SPECIAL EDITION

Volume IV No.13                      Nicholas Scrolls                          March 2009

The Land where GOD walked as a Man

Part Seven

 

Matthew 23:37 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that kills the prophets, and stones them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathers her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!”

 

Greetings brethren, friends and neighbors,

 

We have finally arrived in Jerusalem, the city of prophets. Of all the cities on earth, Jerusalem has been witness to more contention, strife and bloodshed than any other. Even now, Jerusalem is at risk to being divided up further as Palestinians seek to incorporate Jerusalem as their Capitol city should they win their fight for independence and separation from the Jewish State. The modern city spreads out between the hills and valleys segregating communities, one from another as her population increases. The “Old City” sits where it has for millennia behind ancient fortress walls that have been destroyed and rebuilt numerous times by various occupying forces. First impressions immediately give one a perspective of Jerusalem’s importance to various religious communities by the great numbers of tour buses traveling about. Hotels in the city do not have occupancy issues as there remains a constant flow of international groups flowing in and out of the city. People from all over the world come here looking for God. Here, one realizes that tourism is Israel’s largest and most profitable industry.

 

A City that Bears God’s Name

 

The first day of touring Jerusalem started out on Mount Scopus which is at the north end of the Mount of Olives. We stopped at a vantage point overlooking the Jordan Valley below us. Just to our left was the Hebrew University, renown for its studies in the antiquities. Our tour guide Hela, passes out a pamphlet listing several scriptures that indicate God’s name in this place. One paragraph reads; “Stand here with me in Jerusalem. Sooner or later the entire world will pass by. Not only people from other times and places but all the nations, gowns garbs, dress, tongues and the religious. The contented and the discontented, they all come, everyone is looking for God. The searchers, the ecstatic and emotional, yes, they all come. This is odd because Jerusalem is a rather smallish place off the beaten path, perched on a ridge, between the desert on one side and a rocky hillside on the other. She is beautiful but not exquisite yet, Jerusalem bears God’s name.”

 

On the backside of the pamphlet is a map showing only the topography of the land surrounding the Old City. The shape of the ridges between valleys actually looks like the Hebrew letter ‘shin’ which is used to indicate God’s name. The upper and lower city, the city of David and the Temple Mount are all built on raised hills surrounded and separated by five distinct valleys forming the shape of the letter, ‘shin.’

2 Chronicles 6:5-6 “Since the day that I brought forth my people out of the land of Egypt I chose no city among all the tribes of Israel to build an house in, that my name might be there; neither chose I any man to be a ruler over my people Israel: But I have chosen Jerusalem, that my name might be there; and have chosen David to be over my people Israel.”

 

2 Chronicles 6:20 “That thine eyes may be open upon this house day and night, upon the place whereof thou hast said that thou would put thy name there; to hearken unto the prayer which thy servant prayed toward this place.”

 

2 Chronicles 12:13 “So king Rehoboam strengthened himself in Jerusalem, and reigned: for Rehoboam was one and forty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which the LORD had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, to put his name there. And his mother's name was Naamah an Ammonitess.”

 

Nehemiah 1:9 “But if ye turn unto me, and keep my commandments, and do them; though there were of you cast out unto the uttermost part of the heaven, yet will I gather them from thence, and will bring them unto the place that I have chosen to set my name there.”

 

God indeed put His name upon the map. Surely this was no coincidence. The multi-cultural diversity that is seen here today is no new phenomena either for even Jeremiah the prophet spoke of it long ago. Jeremiah 3:17-18 “At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the LORD; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the LORD, to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any more after the imagination of their evil heart.  In those days the house of Judah shall walk with the house of Israel, and they shall come together out of the land of the north to the land that I have given for an inheritance unto your fathers.”

 

Everything you hate and everything you love can be found right here where God has carved His name upon the earth. Unlike the other places we have visited thus far, Jerusalem, being a primary destination is crowded and over-run by thousands of tourists on any given day. One must exercise patience when going about and you will no doubt have opportunity to practice forgiveness while there. The thousands of vendors selling their wares and religious trinkets are at times overwhelming and in your face. It’s a good policy to watch out for one another and to check your wallet and purse often as the crowds can be quite thick at times. Learn to give a polite nod or “no thank you” response because you will likely use that phrase more than any other.

 

Mount of Olives

 

Speaking of “no thank you” responses, this next incident should clarify what I mean about keeping a close eye on each other as well as your valuables. Our bus took us on a short jaunt from Scopus to the drop-off point at the top of the Mount of Olives. From here we would begin our descent down to the Garden of Gethsemane.

The streets were crowded with people, cars and busses. Shouting through the throngs of people walking up and down the avenues were many vendors selling everything from post cards to crucifixes. We all gathered at the top with the Old City of Jerusalem in the background and had a group photo taken. The tour guides know who to trust and who to avoid for these types of services. A nice group photo usually costs about $10.00 US. This was the third group photo offered while on this tour.

 

As we began our descent following our guide’s marker flag down the narrowly paved path, a Palestinian man in red and white headdress approached me with his camel. He first wanted to know if we were interested in a camel ride down the path. We politely said, “No.” Then in a very excited tone, he touched my shoulder getting my attention and as he pointed his finger at Renée, he asked, “Sir, is this your daughter?” I replied, “Yes.” We kept trying to walk ahead so as to keep up with our group but he insisted on his inquiry. The man then said, “Sir, sir, is your daughter for sale?” I said a little more forcefully, “No way!” Refusing to leave my side, he stopped us and pleaded with me, “Sir, sir, I will make you a very rich man. I will give you 6000 camels like this one for your daughter. I will make you very rich man in all Jerusalem!” At that point, my daughter was clinging tightly to my side as she was stunned with this man’s persistence. I waved the man off saying, “No thanks, we gotta go now,” as we both picked up the pace and left the scene. Several of our tour members witnessed the incident and thought it was a good idea for me to keep a close eye on my lovely daughter. I marveled at the whole encounter and actually caught myself laughing out loud. Someone said in jest afterwards, “You should have held out for 10,000 camels!”

 

I knew that in Old Testament times it was often the custom to seek a maidens hand in marriage through barter and the offering of wealth, land or livestock. In such cases, a deal would be struck with the father of the intended bride. Hela later explained that among Muslims, there is no night clubbing or casual dating allowed. Some of the more orthodox must accept “pre-arrangement” in marriage so when a beautiful foreign woman happens by, the Muslim men all look intently at her as their eyes follow in her direction. I guess it is natural for man to lust after what he cannot have. Needless to say, my guard was up the rest of the time we were in Jerusalem.

 

One Old Testament account tells us of an arrangement made between Jacob and Laban, a father to two beautiful daughters. The elder was Leah and the younger was Rachel. Jacob fell in love with Rachel and bartered for her hand in marriage. Genesis 29:18 “And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, “I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter.” After these seven years of service to Laban were complete, Laban willfully gave his older daughter to Jacob in marriage. The morning after the consummation, Jacob arose and realized the woman next to him was not Rachel, the one he loved. Because it was not proper that the younger be married before the older, Leah was given away first. Answering Jacob’s complaint, Laban agreed he would give Rachel to also be his wife for another seven years of service. Genesis 29:28 “And Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week: and he gave him Rachel his daughter to wife also.” Though such arrangements are not practiced any longer in Judaism, they are still prevalent in Muslim society. Understanding the differences between the two cultures that now exist helps to forgive possible offense.

Looking down the slope of Mount Olive, one sees an endless hillside covered in tomb stones or modern sarcophaguses. These are all Jewish graves which face the Eastern Gate. In front of the sealed East Gate is another vast graveyard below the Temple Mount but these graves are Muslim. The most prominent feature from this vantage point is of course the “Dome of the Rock” situated on top of the Temple Mount. Its golden dome shaped roof dwarfs much of the Old City’s architecture and is regarded by most fervent Christians to be an Islamic abomination sitting where the Second Temple once stood.

 

The path we are taking down the slope not only has played a significant role in Christian history but will once again be part of Christ’s second coming. The Jews who are buried here on this slope are well aware of the prophecy that says when Christ steps foot here on this mount upon his return, the Mount of Olives will cleave into two parts. Graves will open up and the dead will be resurrected. Interestingly, the gate through which He is expected to make His return into Jerusalem is the sealed East Gate. Some believe the proximity of the Muslim graves blocking the sealed East Gate entrance is an attempt to stop this prophecy from being fulfilled. According to Islamic Law, it is sacrilege for a Jew to enter a Muslim burial ground. No matter how this prophecy unfolds, this is the site where Jesus will make his return. No laws of men or false prophets and their deities are likely to avert what is promised by the Word of God to occur.

 

To demonstrate how powerful the Word of God is, the matter of the East Gate being sealed is first mentioned in  Ezekiel 44:1-3 “Then he brought me back the way of the gate of the outward sanctuary which looks toward the east; and it was shut. Then said the LORD unto me; “This gate shall be shut, it shall not be opened, and no man shall enter in by it; because the LORD, the God of Israel, hath entered in by it, therefore it shall be shut. It is for the prince; the prince, he shall sit in it to eat bread before the LORD; he shall enter by the way of the porch of that gate, and shall go out by the way of the same.” I hereby testify to you today that the East Gate is still sealed unto this day.

 

The most logical conclusion one can make is that upon Christ’s return when He steps foot on the Mount of Olives cleaving it in two portions, there will be a great earthquake and the cleaving in two parts will extend all the way through the sealed East Gate permitting his grand entrance. The gravesites now permeating the hillsides will be cast aside making a clear path for our Lord to enter. On this day when the Lord returns, Jerusalem will once again all but be destroyed by invading armies as described by the prophet Zechariah 14:1-4 “Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee. For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city. Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.”

 

I am certain that the above describes the return of Christ because of the following references to saints and in regards to day and night.  Zechariah 14:5-9 “And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with thee.   And it shall come to pass in that day, that the light shall not be clear, nor dark: But it shall be one day which shall be known to the LORD, not day, nor night: but it shall come to pass, that at evening time it shall be light.  And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be.  And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one.”

 

We stopped along the way to view another kind of sarcophagus. These tomb boxes were much smaller than the typical tombs we saw scattered upon the slope of Mount Olive. They are called “bone boxes” and they had a particular function. It was in ancient times a Jewish custom to lay their deceased in a tomb or cave for a period of one year. Over the course of one year the body would decay naturally leaving only the bones of the deceased behind. Relatives would then re-enter the burial site a year later, gather the dry bones and place them in an ornately decorated bone box. The burial caves we photographed had dozens of these boxes all about. This obviously saved a great deal of graveyard space and most probably allowed families to keep their dead loved ones together in one burial chamber.

 

As we approached the crowded Garden of Gethsemane, our entry was delayed because of the high pedestrian traffic. We were allowed access to an adjoining garden behind a security wall and there we conducted Bible study. The garden was small but lovely with many flowers, benches and olive trees. The olive trees were hundreds of years old judging by their broad and fattened trunks. The older an olive tree gets the broader it becomes. Our group, happy to sit and relax reviewed the most famous Gethsemane account of Christ and His disciples.

 

After the Last Supper with eleven of His disciples, Jesus left for the Garden of Gethsemane to pray and calm Himself as this was the very night that He would be betrayed by Judas Iscariot. Matthew 26:36-44 “Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, “Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.” And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. Then saith he unto them, “My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.” And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” And he cometh unto the disciples, and found them asleep, and saith unto Peter, “What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, “O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.” And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy. And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.”

 

After a short spell Jesus awoke His disciples to leave from this place for a band of men were approaching. Matthew 26:47-49 “And while he yet spoke, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people. Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, ‘whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.’ And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him.” They took hold of Jesus and one of His disciples drew a sword cutting off the ear of a High Priest’s servant. But Jesus, understanding that the Word of God must be fulfilled, healed the man’s ear and went willingly with the mob to Caiaphas’ house for questioning. Though the rest of the disciples scattered that night and went their own way, Peter followed the mobs who were escorting Jesus to see what would become of His Master.

 

On the grounds of Gethsemane is the Church of the Ascension, an elaborately decorated structure complete with high vaulted ceilings, stained glass windows and skylights and brightly colored mosaics incorporating gold in-lay in its artistry. One of the more popular features of these Temple-like structures is the acoustic value each offers. This all serves to accentuate a spiritual atmosphere and has been in use for as long as the mid 2^nd century AD. Such buildings commonly incorporate Greco-Roman architecture and were employed centuries later in America’s oldest Roman Catholic temples (churches). The Roman Catholic Church is the oldest organized Christian Church in the world and its presence dominates the Roman influence in Israel. It is impossible to conduct an in-depth study of early Christianity without also studying the formation of the early Catholic Church in Rome and it’s far reaching influence in the world.

 

The House of Caiaphas

 

Leaving the Garden of Gethsemane, we boarded our bus to head for the Old City. Our next stop was the house of Caiaphas, the High Priest at the time of Jesus’ arrest. The house of Caiaphas’ was located south of the Temple. There is an ancient Roman stairway built of heavy hewn limestone leading up to the High Priest’s house. This is generally thought to be the path Jesus was led down on the way to the fortress of Antonia. The house is mostly in ruins but parts of its interior are preserved and protected by yet another church building built over the site. Outside is a court yard marking the probable place where Peter actually denied his relationship to Christ three times before the cock crowed.

 

Matthew 26:69-75 “Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also was with Jesus of Galilee. But he denied before them all, saying, “I know not what thou sayest.” And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, this fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth. And again he denied with an oath, “I do not know the man.” And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech betrays thee. Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, “I know not the man.” And immediately the cock crowed. And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, “Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.” And he went out, and wept bitterly.”

The church here not only commemorates Peter’s denials but also Christ’s initial suffering as it sits over the house of Caiaphas. In the lower parts of the house, once formerly a palace is a dungeon where it is believed Jesus may have been held after questioning. Here, a series of underground caves and pits were discovered in 1889 AD. Their proximity to the high Priest’s house suggests this area was a public jail. Though not recorded in the canonized gospel accounts, 4^th century tradition in Jerusalem has it that Jesus would not only have been scourged by Pontius Pilate but also Caiaphas after questioning and was likely held in prison here briefly. The prison accounts of Peter and John recorded in the Book of Acts 5:19-42 may have also taken place in this dungeon. Given this context, visiting Christians traditionally recall some of the painful sufferings endured by Christ during His Passion. This again is one of those places where these events likely took place because of its proximity to the Garden of Gethsemane and the Temple grounds.

 

The Jewish Quarter

 

From here our bus took us to the entrance of the Dung Gate. The heavy scaring from rifle fire on the Gate’s exterior testifies to the many battles and skirmishes that have taken place here in Jerusalem. We entered the Old City on foot through the Dung Gate to spend the rest of the day casually touring the Jewish quarter. After lunching on falafel (Jewish tacos) we walked the crowded avenues window shopping, sampling fresh roasted almonds and walnuts and taking many pictures. Much of the stone built architecture was a mix of building designs, some from the Byzantine era and the Crusades which date back to the 10^th and 11^th century periods. As I mentioned in prior Scrolls, layers of civilization have literally been built one on top of another over the course of centuries. Much of the 1^st and 2^nd century Jerusalem that Jesus knew lies underground covered up by the centuries of rebuilding that occurred during the Islamic period and the Crusades. Every so often, a new construction project uncovers another significant archeological find which the Israeli Antiquities Authority works hard to preserve and protect for the benefit of future generations.

 

Among the other sites we took in was the outside portion of the Fortress of Antonia which we would visit on another day and a ten foot high Golden Menorah proudly displayed within a secured bullet proof glass case overlooking a part of the Jewish quarter. This Menorah was one of the first Temple instruments built to Old Testament specifications by the Temple Institute in preparation for the building of the Third Temple prophesied by Ezekiel. Many Christians believe that this will be the very Temple that the antichrist will stand in exalting himself as god despite the current encumbrance of the Dome of the Rock’s current location being on the Temple Mount site. We will visit the Temple Institute later and discuss the other Temple Instruments they have prepared.

 

Nearby the Golden Menorah’s location, I was approached by a Jewish man dressed in somewhat traditional garb but soiled. He wanted to give me a blessing. He asked where I was from and wanted to know if I was Jewish or Christian and whether I had any children or was married. After my brief responses, He placed his hand on my head and began speaking in a tongue I discerned as Yiddish. This was not the traditional Hebrew tongue but more like something you would here on New York City streets. He then gave me a blessing stone and asked if I had any money to offer? Realizing I was being fooled, I pulled out a $20 and as he accepted he said in a detectable NY accent, “Oh that’s a good one!” I left and laughed knowing he was scamming tourists. When Renée and I had to back track and go back up the steps where I first met him, he appeared again only this time with another man. After asking if Renée was my daughter, he said the other man’s father was his Rabbi and because I was so generous with him he sought to fleece me for more money claiming the other man had four children to feed and he had no work. I smiled and said I had nothing more to offer them than a prayerful blessing. I sensed a little sales pressure coming from him but remained polite as we started walking away. Goes to show you, it doesn’t matter where you are in the world, there will always be some who are there to take your money, especially if you’re American.

 

The Upper Room

 

From there we ventured to the site all the tour groups designate as the “Upper Room.” Before leaving our Hotel that morning, Pastor Noah Hutchings asked me if I would deliver the gospel account of the Last Supper in the Upper Room. Delighted, I said yes to Noah as I wanted to get a little podium time in too for the other two Baptist Pastors were getting all kinds of attention in sighting the scriptures during our tour. It’s hard to say whether this was the actual room where Jesus supped with His disciples but most agree that having a designated site allows for Christians to recount these significant events in or nearby where these things actually took place. The room had plastered walls over stone and a high vaulted ceiling giving the room acoustic value. There were some very old columns standing within and one markedly different being made of granite. There was no furniture in place, just open floor space and the room itself was not particularly large.

 

Upon entering this place a second time, I imagined a low lying table with big pillows all about for reclining. It was a Middle East custom to dine at such tables on the floor reclining comfortably against pillows. Even the scriptures tell us they “reclined at the table.” The common artist rendering of Christ and his twelve disciples sitting at the table like we do in western society is not an accurate depiction of the Last Supper. Each one of the gospels gives a little different testimony of the “Upper Room” event. Largely ignored by most all churches in their communion services is the foot washing Jesus performed following supper. For contexts sake, I offer the fullest version of this event as described in the books of John and Mathew. After Hela gave some background information setting the mood, I stood to deliver the account.

 

Matthew 26:20-35 “Now when the evening was come, he sat down with the twelve. And as they did eat, he said, “Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me”. And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I? And he answered and said, “He that dips his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me.  The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! It had been good for that man if he had not been born.” Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, “Thou hast said.” And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and broke it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.”  And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink ye all of it; for this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.”

 

John 13:1-20 “Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him; Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; He arose from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poured water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, “Lord, dost thou wash my feet?”  Jesus answered and said unto him, “What I do thou know not now; but thou shalt know hereafter?” Peter saith unto him, “Thou shalt never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.” Simon Peter saith unto him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.” Jesus saith to him, “He that is washed need not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.” For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, ‘Ye are not all clean.’ So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, “Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, the servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eats bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me. Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he.  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receives whomsoever I send receives me; and he that receives me receives him that sent me.”

 

The above is a more complete account than the one I delivered in the Upper Room. I feel strongly that anytime a Pastor or Preacher speak on Communion or talk about the Last Supper he should always include the “washing of feet” as described in John. I feel strongly about this because it exemplifies the differences between those shepherds who are working to be served by their flocks practicing empty rituals versus those who understand their roles as selfless servants. In my boldest view, a real servant is one who leads from a place of insignificance, a person who isn’t afraid to get their hands dirty or lead by example just like Jesus exhibited in the above John account. Did Jesus not say, “He who is least in the kingdom of God is greatest?” Of course He did and Jesus wanted to make certain that one point was driven firmly home on the last night he spent with His disciples. The next time you participate in a communion service, look around and see whose feet you might wash to complete the spiritual significance of Christ’s message on that last evening with his disciples. I have done this and it is quite a liberating experience.

Because this was the night of Passover, the evening was long and only the Book of John makes it clear what Christ and His disciples discussed that evening in the Upper Room. Imagine if you will that you were there in that room with Jesus and His disciples. The setting is a relaxed evening of casual conversation and dinner. During the dinner hour, God, with whom you’ve been dining, stands up and disrobes Himself, wrapping His robe about his torso and begins washing your feet and the others with you in the Upper Room. After Judas Iscariot was identified as the “one who would betray Jesus” and leaves abruptly, Jesus says, “Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him.” After telling his disciples they could not yet go to where he was going, he gave them a new commandment. John 13:34-35 “A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have loved one another.” I wish to point out the often neglected and dramatic significance of this statement in its proper context. Jesus had just finished washing His disciples’ feet and then tells them that by following this selfless example the world will know that we who do this are His disciples! The proof of the context I am presenting you is found in John 13:15 “For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.” Should I ever get a chance to meet some of you who have participated with me for a number of years, be prepared for I may ask you to remove your shoes at supper.

 

Judging by the length of the John account (Upper Room – Chptrs. 13-17), the evening likely went on for several hours as Jesus had much to say. He comforted His disciples and answered many of their questions. He spoke a parable about Himself being the vine and his followers being the branches. Jesus delivered more commandments to them that evening and confessed they had become his friends. He related how they should regard themselves to the world and warned them that if the world hated them it was because the world hated Him first. He also warned Peter that evening that he would soon deny relationship with Him three times before a rooster crowed. He made further promises to comfort them and gave the High Priestly Prayer before they departed for the Garden of Gethsemane.

 

This was the first full day in Jerusalem. Afterward we left for our hotel to rest our tired feet and ankles before dinner. Renée and I spent the evening talking and relaxing before retiring early. So vivid were my thoughts and reflections as I fell asleep.

 

END

Part Seven

 

With all Sincerity and love for the truth and my scattered brethren abroad,

 

Nicholas A. Stivers – a God-fearing disciple, scribe and messenger                                                                  

http://nicholas-scrolls.com

http://cephasministry.com