#Passover with the Disciples

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

The Plot to Kill Jesus

When Jesus had finished saying all these things, He told His disciples, “You know that the Passover is two days away, and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.”

At that time the chief priests and elders of the people assembled in the courtyard of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, and they conspired to arrest Jesus covertly and kill Him. “But not during the feast,” they said, “or there may be a riot among the people.”

Jesus Anointed at Bethany

While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came to Him with an alabaster jar of expensive perfume, which she poured on His head as He reclined at the table.

When the disciples saw this, they were indignant and asked, “Why this waste? This perfume could have been sold at a high price, and the money given to the poor.”

Aware of this, Jesus asked, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful deed to Me. The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have Me. By pouring this perfume on Me, she has prepared My body for burial. Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached in all the world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.”

Judas to Betray Jesus

Then one of the Twelve, the one called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I hand Him over to you?” And they set out for him thirty pieces of silver. So from then on Judas looked for an opportunity to betray Jesus.

The Passover with the Disciples

On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do you want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?”

He answered, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him that the Teacher says, ‘My time is near. I will keep the Passover with My disciples at your house.’ ” So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover.

When evening came, Jesus was reclining with the twelve disciples. And while they were eating, He said to them, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray Me.”

They were deeply grieved and began to ask Him one after another, “Surely not I, Lord?”

Jesus answered, “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 by whom He is betrayed. It would be better for him if he had not been born.”

Then Judas, who would betray Him, said, “Surely not I, Rabbi?”

Jesus answered, “You have said it yourself.”

Institution of the Lord's Supper

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, spoke a blessing and broke it, and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is My body.”

Then He took the cup, gave thanks, and 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 of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in My Father’s kingdom.”

Jesus Foretells Peter's Denial

And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Then Jesus said to 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 said to Him, “Even if all fall away on account of You, I never will.”

Jesus Prays in Gethsemane

“Truly I tell you,” Jesus declared, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.”

Peter replied, “Even if I have to die with You, I will never deny You.” And all the other disciples said the same thing.

At that time Jesus went with His disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and He told them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.”

He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee and began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. Then He said to them, “My soul is consumed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with Me.”

Going a little farther, He fell facedown and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.”

Then Jesus returned to the disciples and found them sleeping. “Were you not able to keep watch with Me for one hour?” He asked Peter. “Watch and pray so that you will not enter into temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”

A second time He went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cup cannot pass unless I drink it, may Your will be done.” And again Jesus returned and found them sleeping—for their eyes were heavy.

So He left them and went away once more and prayed a third time, saying the same thing. Then He returned to the disciples and said, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us go! See, My betrayer is approaching!”

Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus

While Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, accompanied by a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and elders of the people.

Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The One I kiss is the man; arrest Him.” Going directly to Jesus, he said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him.

“Friend,” Jesus replied, “do what you came for.”

Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus, and arrested Him. At this, one of Jesus’ companions drew his sword 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. Are you not aware that I can 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 this way?”

At that time Jesus said to the crowd, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest Me as you would an outlaw? Every day I sat teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest Me. But this has all happened so that the writings of the prophets would be fulfilled.”

Then all the disciples deserted Him and fled.

Jesus Before Caiaphas and the Council

Those who had arrested Jesus led Him away to the house of Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and elders had gathered. But Peter followed Him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. And he went in and sat down with the guards to see the outcome.

Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking false testimony against Jesus in order to put Him to death. But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward.

Finally two came forward and declared, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’ ”

So the high priest stood up and asked Him, “Have You no answer? What are these men testifying against You?”

But Jesus remained silent.

Then the high priest said to Him, “I charge You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God.”

“You have said it yourself,” Jesus answered. “But I say to all of you, from now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

At this, the high priest tore his clothes and declared, “He has blasphemed! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?”

“He deserves to die,” they answered.

Then they spit in His face and struck Him. Others slapped Him and said, “Prophesy to us, Christ! Who hit You?”

Peter Denies Jesus

Meanwhile, Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came up to him. “You also were with Jesus the Galilean,” she said.

But he denied it before them all: “I do not know what you are talking about.”

When Peter had gone out to the gateway, another servant girl saw him and said to the people there, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.”

And again he denied it with an oath: “I do not know the man!”

After a little while, those standing nearby came up to Peter. “Surely you are one of them,” they said, “for your accent gives you away.”

At that he began to curse and swear to them, “I do not know the man!”

And immediately a rooster crowed.

Then Peter remembered the word that Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly. — Matthew 26 | The Reader's Bible (BRB) The Reader’s Bible © 2020 by Bible Hub and Berean.Bible. All rights Reserved. Cross References: Genesis 9:6; Genesis 50:2; Exodus 12:18; Exodus 21:32; Exodus 24:8; Leviticus 5:1; Leviticus 24:16; Numbers 14:6; Deuteronomy 15:11; Deuteronomy 19:15; Deuteronomy 21:22; 2 Samuel 20:9; 2 Kings 9:1; Job 30:10; Psalm 27:12; Psalm 41:9; Psalm 42:2; Psalm 42:5; Psalm 110:1; Isaiah 19:1; Isaiah 50:6; Zechariah 11:12; Zechariah 13:7; Matthew 2:23; Matthew 4:11; Matthew 4:21; Matthew 5:22; Matthew 5:25; Matthew 6:12; Matthew 7:28; Matthew 10:4; Matthew 10:33; Matthew 11:6; Matthew 12:14; Matthew 17:1; Matthew 18:7; Matthew 20:13; Matthew 20:24; Matthew 21:17; Matthew 21:42; Matthew 23:7-8; Matthew 27:5; Matthew 27:40; Mark 10:1; Mark 14:13; Mark 14:43-44; Mark 14:53; Mark 14:60; Mark 14:63; Mark 14:65; Luke 9:32; Luke 22:14; Luke 22:21; Luke 22:42; Luke 22:54-55; Luke 22:64; John 13:22; John 18:10; John 18:16; John 18:19; John 18:25-26; John 18:27; Acts 2:7; Acts 10:4; Acts 13:10; Acts 19:29; Acts 24:25; 1 Corinthians 11:28; 1 Corinthians 16:12; 2 Corinthians 12:8

[vox-anglosphere]

The Last Supper

[superiorcatholicinspiration]

Holy Thursday: We receive the Lord in Holy Communion. Catholic Inspiration

Photo by MART PRODUCTION on Pexels.com At the Passover meal with his disciples, Jesus inaugurates a new covenant in his Body and Blood that we might enter into Holy Communion with the Lord and one another. Mass Readings – Holy Thursday, Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper (#39) *************** Catholic Inspiration Archives

[dwuerch-blog]

Improving Our Serve

This photo is one of the world’s most famous paintings. It is a 15th Century mural painting by Leonardo da Vinci. The painting represents the scene of the Last Supper of Jesus Christ and His disciples. You can see how aghast they were at Jesus’ announcement that one of them would betray Him. Today is Holy Thursday when we recall way more than a painting. It is the day before Jesus’ crucifixion…

[thewordfortheday]

Jesus said, “Do this in remembrance of Me” (1 Corinthians 11:24).

On the day of the Passover, Jesus took the bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to His disciples, saying, “This is My body, given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you. In doing so Jesus revealed Himself to be the true Passover Lamb who takes away the sins of the world. As we take communion together, we remember Christ’s body and blood, given for us at the cross, how we have life through His death, forgiveness of sin and everlasting life in His presence. Let's remember His great sacrifice as we go to His table today.

[walkswithmyfather]

John 19:40-42 NLT. [40] “Following Jewish burial custom, they wrapped Jesus’ body with the spices in long sheets of linen cloth. [41] The place of crucifixion was near a garden, where there was a new tomb, never used before. [42] And so, because it was the day of preparation for the Jewish Passover and since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.”

Hebrews 13:5b (NLT). “For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.”

“A Dark Sabbath” by In Touch Ministries:

“If God seems absent, remember the resurrection and know that joy is coming.”

“Just as Christ once rested in the stern of a boat through a raging storm, His lifeless body lay in the tomb as storms raged within His disciples. A day after they saw Jesus die, their minds must have been filled with an endless cycle of fear, doubt, and grief. Memories of life with Him must have played there, too: how it felt to stand upon a rolling sea, to feed thousands with a few loaves and a couple of fish, to see a demon-possessed man restored to himself and his community, and to see Lazarus walk out of his tomb.

The disciples’ feeble faith shouldn’t surprise us because, if we’re honest, we’re at times the same way. Those “of little faith,” as Jesus often called them, failed to believe or recall things the Lord said of Himself—especially that He’d lay down His life and take it up again. Had His followers held these things in their hearts, that Sabbath day might have been a time of joyful anticipation.

At times in our life, God may seem absent, but ultimately we know He will never leave us (Hebrews 13:5). When we are tempted to rely on our own solutions, we need to recall the wonder-working power of Christ’s resurrection. If we are willing to wait through the darkness of night, we can rest in the knowledge that morning will surely come.”

[glitterdragonthegreatprotector]

On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Junior and asked, “Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?”

He replied, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.’” So the disciples did as Junior had directed them and prepared the Passover.

When evening came, Junor was reclining at the table with the Twelve. 21 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?”

Junior replied, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. The Son of The Swordsman will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of The Swordsman! It would be better for him if he had not been born.”

Then Church, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?”

Juno answered, “You have said so.”

While they were eating, Junior 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 desert.

Then Junior 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 the State of Vadam.”

Caboose replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.”

“Truly I tell you,” Junior answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.”

But Caboose declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same.

(Did I copy and paste Mathew 26 17-35, then replace some names with stuff from rvb and halo? Yes. Have I seen any episodes of rvb? No. Will I watch? Eventually.)

[weavergrovedevotional]

🌿 Palm Sunday 🌿

“When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!””

‭‭Luke‬ ‭19‬:‭37‬-‭38‬ ‭NIV‬‬

It’s the start of Holy Week, my favourite week of the year! Palm Sunday marks the day that Christ arrived in Jerusalem for the Passover. I’ll be sharing lots this week about Holy Week 🤍

[myremnantarmy]

𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝟏𝟕, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓

𝐇𝐎𝐋𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐔𝐑𝐒𝐃𝐀𝐘

John 13:1-15

Before the feast of Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come

to pass from this world to the Father.

He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end.

The devil had already induced Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot, to hand him over.

So, during supper,

fully aware that the Father had put everything into his power

and that he had come from God and was returning to God,

he rose from supper and took off his outer garments.

He took a towel and tied it around his waist.

Then he poured water into a basin

and began to wash the disciples’ feet

and dry them with the towel around his waist.

He came to Simon Peter, who said to him,

“Master, are you going to wash my feet?”

Jesus answered and said to him,

“What I am doing, you do not understand now,

but you will understand later.”

Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.”

Jesus answered him,

“Unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance with me.”

Simon Peter said to him,

“Master, then not only my feet, but my hands and head as well.”

Jesus said to him,

“Whoever has bathed has no need except to have his feet washed,

for he is clean all over;

so you are clean, but not all.”

For he knew who would betray him;

for this reason, he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

So when he had washed their feet

and put his garments back on and reclined at table again,

he said to them, “Do you realize what I have done for you?

You call me ‘teacher’ and ‘master,’ and rightly so, for indeed I am.

If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet,

you ought to wash one another’s feet.

I have given you a model to follow,

so that as I have done for you, you should also do.”

[idylls-of-the-divine-romance]

The Garden of Gethsemane. (The place where Jesus wept?) Any thoughts? I like the way you explain things.

Hi Anonie <333. I am glad to hear that and glad to discuss this part of the narrative. This... will not be like the other ones I've done. First, because there are 4 accounts instead of 1. Second, because I am in the Agony in the Garden as I write this.

Jesus has just gotten done with an incredibly intimate moment. He has eaten with and attempted to comfort his disciples. John lays on him, listens to his heartbeat. Judas consumed him, despite what's going to happen. They sing the Passover hymns (which are absolutely amazing as a literary whole by the way). He tries to explain to his friends that he's about to die, that a New Exodus is coming and the Firstborn Death will be his own. But they love him (too much and not enough) to understand. They distract themselves by arguing about who will be the greatest. Not knowing that to live a king is to die a slave.

He takes his closest friends, John, Jacob, and Peter, and brings them to a garden. Asks them to stay awake. He's at his most vulnerable so he quotes a psalm. 42-43. A psalm of lament and exile. But they still don't get it. He's the Suffering Servant. The "one from whom men turn their faces."

Right now for me, I'm reveling in the hypostatic union of it. I rebel fiercely against the impassibility of God (the idea that God does not have emotions like ours). My God is omnipassionate. Crying in the garden. Asking. Begging. That the wrath of Babylon- "the cup" in Jeremiah, the Gospel Accounts, and the Revelation are the same - is not forced down his throat. Three times he prays this in Matthew's account. Quoting from his own Sermon on the Mount ("not my desire, but yours be done"). Each time realizing more and more that this is really happening.

"My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will."

"My Father, if this cup cannot pass away unless I drink from it, Your will be done."

And He left them again, and went away and prayed a third time, saying the same thing once more.

But nonetheless, God suffers alone. His disciples, despite their denials, know what is coming and so they sleep off their depression. With no one but himself to comfort him. Sure messengers come from the skies to strengthen him. But to strengthen him to do what? To die. And so he sweats blood, knowing that he must drink Rome and that he will fall.

I have a great disdain for exegesis that tries to eliminate the passion of the Passion, the agony of the Agony. The attempt to eliminate the pain of Our Lord because it is hard to look at. It is shameful. Humiliating. Look at our God. Lamenting. Crying. Begging. But this is him, and we cannot look away. To look away is to shrink back from death. It is apostasy.

But after that agony, he is composed. He knows there is work to do. That "the one who is betraying me" - why is that phrase in present tense? Has he not already done it? - "is near." That this hour "belongs to yall and the powers of darkness". Judas - his brother and his friend - kisses him. Almost brings him to tears. "Are you betraying the Son of Adam with a kiss?"

With that single moment - a moment that would change the course of history - the fires of gehenna begin to break loose against Our Lord. Swords are out on both sides. Peter cuts of the ear of a slave. Jesus rebukes him (and all the other soldiers with swords and all in the future who will ever bear an arm) and heals the slaves ear: "those who find life by the sword, will find death by the sword."

He questions them: "Why are you so scared? Have I ever taken up arms against you? Am I a rebel, that you come at me with swords and clubs? I was with you every day in the House of God, and yet you did not try to arrest me then?" There is a sense of betrayal in these words. Shock. Sadness. Anger. Despite their hatred of Rome, they have given themselves over to the exact same spiritual evil that the empire has.

It on gets worse as all the disciples flee.

And then at his arrest, it is only the women and John his Beloved who are with him.

Because at the end of the day, as it was in the Garden of Eden, so it is the Garden of Gethsemane: our God must suffer. Alone.

And yet.... I suffer with him. Crying with him. Asking our Father not to abandon us. Asking him to save us from Babylon. Asking that his desire be done. Asking our beloved's to care for our mother. God suffers alone, and yet he refuses to do so. And the gospel accounts include his agony and passion so that we might suffer and die alongside him. Pledging our allegiance to the God of Loyal Love and Covenant Faithfulness, who has power over Life and Death.

May the favor of our God and Lord Jesus the Anointed One be with us, so that we might have the strength to not shrink back from death.

[creature-wizard]

Is it true that Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead is 100% accurate and historically well-documented, just like the Gospels were written by eyewitnesses?

While many Christians claim that the Gospels were written by eyewitnesses, there is no reliable evidence of this. In fact, the writer of Luke outright says that their information came from others. (Luke 1:1-4.) Meanwhile, whoever wrote the other three gospels didn't identify themselves or cite their sources at all. They also describe numerous events that none of Jesus's followers would have been around to see. (None of them would have been hanging out with Herod when his daughter asked for John's head on a silver platter!)

We can very easily rule out the writer of Matthew as an eyewitness to... like, anything. How? The writer of Matthew clearly borrows a lot of material from Mark while embellishing on it in ways that just don't make sense.

You know how Mark 11 describes Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a borrowed colt? In a very clumsy attempt to make this story sound more like a fulfillment of prophecy, the writer of Matthew has Jesus riding in on not only the colt, but also on its mother! It's actually downright hilarious because the writer of Matthew very clearly misunderstood the poetic language of the quoted passage (Zechariah 9:9) and failed to realize that the passage is only referring to one equine!

(Also, if you read all of Zechariah 9, it's pretty obvious that the writer of Matthew was just skimming through prophetic texts for stuff that sounded like things Jesus did - or supposedly did - because all that stuff about riding in on a donkey was very clearly taken out of context.)

The writer of Matthew also includes a story about darkness falling and the temple veil tearing and a bunch of dead bodies coming to life - a story which is not only found in no other gospel, but isn't recorded by anyone else period.

So we can rule out the writer of Matthew as an eyewitness, much less any kind of trustworthy source. The writer was blatantly twisting information they'd received to sound more like what they thought prophetic texts said, and inserting events that nobody else knew anything about.

It's also highly unlikely that the writer of Mark was an eyewitness, given that the text was written by a fluent Greek speaker, where Jesus's original followers would have been native Aramaic speakers.

Now, whoever wrote the Gospel of John claims to have gotten their information from "the disciple whom Jesus loved," who supposedly wrote all of this stuff down. Like Mark, the earliest texts we have are in Greek, though some people argue it was originally written in Aramaic. But also, the Gospel of John is just... odd. Like, the more you really pay attention to the text and compare it with the other Gospels, the weirder it gets.

You know how Luke places the miraculous catch of fish early in Jesus's ministry? John places it after the resurrection. You know how Matthew, Mark, and Luke have Jesus attack the temple market shortly before Passover - you know, right before he's crucified? John places this at the beginning of his ministry. A lot of stuff is shuffled around relative to the other Gospels. It also includes the story of Jesus turning water into wine, which is not only absent from the other gospels, but may also be an oral tradition influenced by the Dionysian mysteries. Also, the text goes hard to present Jesus as this kind of otherworldly being in a way that none of the other canonical Gospels do. And the whole narrative has this kind of dreamlike, surreal quality.

Regardless of what the author claims about getting all of this information from Jesus's own very beloved disciple, it just doesn't make a lot of sense that this would be an eyewitness account, either. It reads like the other gospels: a collection of stories that probably began as oral tradition, assembled into a cohesive narrative intended to illustrate how the author perceived Jesus.

Like the story of Jesus turning water into wine, the story of Lazarus's resurrection is also only found in the text of John. And we already know from Matthew's thing with the two donkeys, and the weird story about three hours of darkness and the resurrection of the holy dead, just because a gospels says something happened, doesn't mean it actually happened.

I want you to consider this: I could easily go around saying that Jesus just did whatever. I could say, "yeah, there were these guys who were grievously injured in a fight, then Jesus came along and healed them. I saw it myself. In fact, hundreds of reliable people saw it themselves." Ancient people living back then could do the exact same thing. Now, I'm not saying that each and every tradition about Jesus is just made up from whole cloth, but we have to also remember that people can and do just make things up sometimes. And in fact, there is quite a lot of reason to think that quite a bit was made up about Jesus.

Buckle in, because I'm about to go for the jugular.

You know how each gospel claims that Jesus was bodily resurrected, and people saw his physical form, even touched it? It's like, the big thing in Christianity, right?

There is evidence in the New Testament itself that this never happened, that this was in fact a tradition that developed a number of years after Jesus's crucifixion.

Enter Paul of Tarsus. Originally antagonistic toward the budding Christian movement, Paul did a 180 after having a visionary experience while heading to Damascus. He tells us about this in his own writing in (1 Corinthians 15). I want you to go and read 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 and pay very, very careful attention to what Paul says and to what he does not say.

In this passage, Paul compares his own visions to whatever the original Apostles experienced after Jesus's crucifixion. It's almost as if the original apostles themselves only saw Jesus in visions or dreams after the Crucifixion. And you might think, "yeah, but Paul also argues for a physical resurrection." And so he does, but that doesn't actually preclude the visionary experience for the other apostles, because Paul himself here clearly thinks that a visionary experience is perfectly sufficient evidence that the man he saw in said vision was physically raised.

This is why I keep recommending Bart D. Ehrman's How Jesus Became God, because this book is all about exploring how the mythology of Jesus emerged and developed over Christianity's early years. Seriously, go read it. It's a good book, and once you're done you'll never be able to look at Christianity and its mythology the same way again.

[sublimacje]

Things that made me happy (or sad) from The Chosen s4

Calling Simon Peter! – man, chills, literally chills.

And the Matthew and Jesus talk. I liked how Matthew was open with his emotions and then learned something from it.

Jesus' words: I make people what they aren't. Yes, Jesus, please make me what I'm not. Only You are able to.

This being said – Matthew apologizing to Peter and then Simon Peter forgiving Matthew. A m a z i n g. The hug? Te relief on Matthew's face? The Peter's growth? I can see him being a leader.

Jesus always noticing the rejected ones – the blind man. Sure, he had friends (they were talking with Jesus) but the way he was sitting on stairs to the Temple and nobody gave him a second glance, but Jesus did.

I've never been to a wedding banquet, but I'm on my way to one. and then You wouldn't get it. These are your last words?

Some comic relief scenes: poor Matthew not understanding some things (and I get it, believe me, I do) as Andrew telling him he should write request on paper to speak with Peter or lifting his hand when pharisee asked who's writing Jesus' words down. Or Nathaniel? This man is hilarious. Not wanting to be chaperon for Thomas and Remah but telling John he won't be reliabe one to do it himself. Or questioning other followers' skills with pomegranates. Idk, I was laughing so hard.

Gaius. Oh my. I don't even know where to start. I loved his story. I loved how big his faith was. I loved how he cared about Matthew from the very begining. And he wanted to go to Jerusalem for Passover! I wonder how he'll react to news about Jesus dying... I know we don't have some things in The Bible, but do you think Jesus is going to reveal Himself to Gaius after resurrection? I hope He will.

Also I liked how the side characters of the story (like Yussif and Jair) were willing to protect Jesus even when they knew that He was Almighty God. They were sweet. They really loved Jesus.

Jesus with Romans!!! Oh my- This was His teaching in a nutshell. And Romans faces when Jesus told them they go further with them and how they started to take their things back form the disciples.

Matthew being ever the gentleman and taking heavy bacpack, so Mary won't have to carry it. I loved it. Also, can we talk about their meeting after years? And Matthew brave: still unusually pleasant to look at. That was very cute.

Showing Jesus as a human (His words to Mother Mary: also a human) and His frustration, anxiety and fear. I think it's very important to remember that He was a God as He was a human. And this is such a mystery to me? That God decided that He wanted to be one of us. Oh how much He has to love us!!!

PAUL MENTIONED.

Judas, ah, Judas... I think he really loved Jesus, but he didn't truly understand His teaching... I'm really sorry for Judas...

Grieving Thomas. As I already wrote once: I liked that writers decided to show us that following Jesus doesn't mean we always get what we're asking for. And this is sad and hard, but this is how it is. I don't always understand God's timing, too. But I think that following Jesus never ment to be easy peasy lemon squeezy. As in this meme, you know: it's difficult difficult lemon difficult.

I laughed when Yussif said that pharisee were furious because of Lazarus coming from the death and Lazarus' respond: Oh, I'm sorry. I'll try not to die next time.

Matthew confused: Do you REALLY want us to steal a burro for you?

Quintus. Do you think he's gonna be centurion with a spear? I mean, on the The Chosen s4 poster we see spears behind Quintus...

[superiorcatholicinspiration]

Daily Mass: The birth of Moses. Catholic Inspiration

Photo by David McEachan on Pexels.com With the birth of Moses we begin a journey in a crucial part of salvation history. As we walk with the people of Israel, we discover that their challenges are often reflected in our lives. May we recognize the obstacles in our hearts today, and call upon the Lord for the help we need. Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 15th Week of the…

[alwaysrememberjesus]

The Table Was Set, But So Was The Cross

Matthew 26:17–29 | Mark 14v12–25 | Luke 22:7–62 | John 13:1–35

The disciples thought they were preparing for Passover. They followed instructions. Found the upper room. Laid out the meal. This was tradition. A yearly rhythm. A familiar script. But Jesus came in with something deeper. He wasn’t just preparing for a feast. He was preparing to say goodbye.

Before the bread was broken, so was the silence. “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray Me.” (Matthew 26:21) That stopped the room cold. They didn’t point fingers. They didn’t scoff or accuse. Each one asked, “Surely You don’t mean me, Lord?” Even Judas.

And Jesus, calm and clear, confirmed what He already knew. Betrayal was at the table. Not outside. Not in the crowd. Right there. Close enough to dip bread in the same bowl. (Matthew 26:23) Still, Jesus served him. Then He took the bread, gave thanks, and broke it. “This is My body.” He took the cup. “This is My blood of the covenant, poured out for many.” (Matthew 26:26–28) This wasn’t a dinner. This was a declaration. Jesus was handing Himself over, piece by piece. Body. Blood. Presence. Promise.

This was the first communion. Not in a sanctuary. Not with stained glass. But in a room full of flawed, confused, prideful men. One would betray Him. One would deny Him. Most would scatter. And Jesus still said, “Take. Eat. Drink.” Not because they were ready. But because He was.

There’s something holy about this table. Not because of who sat there. But because of who served it. Jesus gave His body to people who didn’t fully get it. He poured out His blood for people who would fail Him. He offered covenant to people who still needed to be cleaned. And that is still the table today.

You don’t come to this table because you’ve earned your seat. You come because He invites you. Because He already knows the worst of you and still chooses to love you. Because the blood still covers. Because the bread still satisfies. Because grace still flows.

Examine your heart today. Not to run from the table but to come closer. What part of you still resists surrender? What fear, sin, pride, or shame are you holding back? Lay it on the table. Jesus already did. The bread was broken for it. The cup was poured for it. Come hungry. Come honest. Come humble. And take what only He can give. Real love. Real grace. Real covenant.