(7-B) Final Passover Lesson, Betrayal to Gethsemane

NISAN 13

This day, unlike the previous day, is one on which we are told very little about what Jesus and the disciples did during the daylight hours. All we learn about the events of the day time is that the disciples went to make ready for the evening meal. Unlike yesterday the emphasis is on the events which take place in the evening.

 Luke tells us:

“Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, ‘Go and make preperations for us to eat the Passover.’ ‘Where do you want us to prepare for it?’ they asked. He replied, ‘As you enter the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him to the house he enters, and say to the owner of the house, ”The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?” He will show you a large upper room, all furnished. Make preparations there.” Luke 22:7-12

This is a remarkable sign, since in those days men did not carry water for the home or otherwise, the women did that. The man would have stood out in any crowd of First Century Jerusalem. (The theory is he was possibly an Essene, a sect of orthodox Jews who did not marry, and who John the Baptist may have been connected with.)

All three records demonstrate an air of secrecy about the place where the meal was to be prepared. Doubtless all the disciples heard the instructions given to Peter and John but the instructions, in themselves, were not sufficient for any of the disciples to know the location. Peter and John, when they entered the city, were the only ones provided with the sign which Jesus had told them they would encounter. Therefore they were the only two of the disciples who knew, before the meal, where it was to be held.

We know that Judas had already agreed to betray Jesus. The secrecy of the location for the Last Supper could well have been designed by Jesus in order that Judas would not be able to interfere with the Last Supper. This meal was of supreme importance to Jesus. He did not want any disturbance during the meal. In fact, by organizing the meal in a secret location, he was planning the way in which he would be taken by the chief priest. Even in this matter his concern for the welfare of his disciples.

This was on afternoon of the day before Preparation Day, which would begin at 6 PM that evening. It would have been a Tuesday. (The preparations mentioned was the removing of all Leaven from the house, so that the Feast could be celebrated the next day, Nisan 14.)

This brings up the question of when was the Last Supper and what day was Jesus crucified?

Jesus Himself said that He would give the rebellious leaders only one sign; “the sign of Jonah”. Matthew 12:38-40

Jonah 1:17 says, “Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish THREE DAYS and THREE NIGHTS.” Matthew 12:40 says, “For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be THREE DAYS and THREE NIGHTS in the heart of the earth.”

It has been Christian tradition that Jesus was crucified on Friday and rose on Sunday.

"How could Jesus have been in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights if He died on a Friday afternoon and rose before sunrise on a Sunday?” This is a question that has perplexed Christians and critics alike.

Most Christians duck the question, since at most they can only come up with one day and two nights (Friday nighttime, Saturday daytime, and Saturday nighttime in our measure of days). If they add in the Friday daytime they get two periods of daytime, even though Jesus would have died in the late afternoon on a Friday. This late afternoon death is consistent with the Passover lamb being killed between the two evenings of Jewish teaching. The lamb was killed between 3 and 6 PM on the afternoon of the 14th of Abib/Nisan and prepared, because the 15th was the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which was an annual Sabbath observance (the first and last days of Unleavened Bread were annual Sabbaths in addition to the normal weekly Sabbaths). This search of the scriptures is important, not because it affects salvation, but because it answers the questions posed on whether Jesus kept His Word, and whether the Bible is true in this matter. A legitimate concern and question for all Christians!!

(To answer correctly we need to remember the Jewish day ran from 6 PM to 6 PM. (According to Genesis God called the day from “evening and morning “ Genesis 1:5). Preparation Day would begin at 6PM ,sundown.)

This widely accepted doctrine came from the conclusion that Jesus was crucified before the Sabbath, then it was automatically assumed that Saturday was the Sabbath mentioned, therefore, a Friday death. This is not consistent with the Jewish calendar and the Feast Days.

To make sense of this we need to realize that the Sabbath spoken of was a HIGH SABBATH, an annual feast or convocation.

The first and last days of the Feast of Unleavened Bread are annual Sabbaths, to be observed as a day of rest in addition to the weekly Sabbaths. These days would occur on the 15th and 21st of Abib/Nisan.

"On the fourteenth day of the first month--between the two evenings (at twilight)--is the Passover to Yahweh (YHVH). And on the fifteenth day of this month is the Feast of Unleavened Bread to Yahweh (YHVH); seven days you shall eat unleavened bread. On the first day you shall have a holy convocation; (High Sabbath) you shall not do any laborious work. But for seven days you shall present an offering by fire to Yahweh (YHVH). On  (High Sabbath) Leviticus 23:5-8

Now on the next day, which is the one after the day of preparation (after the eve of the Sabbath), the Chief Priests and the Pharisees gathered together with Pilate. And they said to him, "Sir, we recall that the deceiver said when he was still alive, 'After three days I will arise.' Therefore, command to guard the tomb until the third day, lest his disciples should come and steal Him away in the night and say to the people that he has risen from the grave, and the last deception be worse than the first." Pilate said to them, "You have guards; go guard it just as you know how." Then they went to guard the tomb; and together with the guards, they sealed that stone." Matthew 27:62-66

But the Jews (Judeans), because it was the day of preparation (evening of the Sabbath), they were saying, "These bodies should not pass the night on their crosses, because the Sabbath day is approaching, for that Sabbath was a high day (an annual Sabbath)." And they asked Pilate to break the legs of those who had been crucified, and they would be taken away (die quickly). John 19:31

 The Mark 16 text says that Mary Magdalene and the other Mary bought spices AFTER the Sabbath and prepared them. (Obviously a day in which commerce could be conducted; not a Sabbath. Why didn't the two Mary's try to anoint the body of Jesus on Friday, since they had prepared the spices and perfumes on Friday before the weekly Sabbath began? It is because in Matthew 27:62-66, Pilate had given the Roman order to have the grave sealed on Thursday morning, and they had put the Roman seal on it and posted guards until the 3 days were complete. Therefore, if the two Marys had tried to annoint the body on Friday, they would have broken the law and been arrested.) Luke 23 text states that the women prepared spices and then rested on the Sabbath. This is consistent with an annual Sabbath on Thursday, the first day of the Feast of Feast of Unleavened Bread, and the weekly Sabbath on Saturday.

The first and last days of the Feast of Unleavened Bread are annual Sabbaths, to be observed as a day of rest in addition to the weekly Sabbaths. These days would occur on the 15th and 21st of Abib/Nisan

All this is consistent with:

“Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas to the Praetorium, and it was early morning, but they themselves did not go into the Praetorium, lest they should be defiled, but that they might eat the Passover.” John 18:28 (This obviously occurred after the Last Supper!)

The above verses show that Jesus had openly taught that the major sign that He was the Messiah was that He would die and three days later rise again. Even more clearly, He said that He would be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. This promise meant that 72 hours would pass from His death to His resurrection and that this would be the sign for the Jews that He was who He said He was (the Messiah). The Friday crucifixion with a resurrection before sunrise on Sunday morning totals approximately 36 hours. If we understood Jesus to mean that within three days and three nights He would rise again, then any period short of that would suffice. But He taught that after three days and three nights in the heart of the earth, then He would rise again. This logically would necessitate the crucifixion on a Wednesday, then the daylight and nighttime periods of Thursday, Friday, and Saturday would be three days and three nights. We count from either His actual death shortly after 3 PM or from the time His body was laid in the tomb, shortly before the annual Sabbath began, although I believe we should count the 72 hours from the time the body was laid in the tomb. *prophecytruths/Articles/Prophecy/3days3nights.html

Also, as a further witness, in April 30 AD, the days of the week for the Feasts were exactly Wednesday through Sunday.

Wednesday; Crucifixion; Passover sacrifices

Thursday-Saturday 6PM; Feast of UnLeavened Bread; Jesus in the tomb

Sunday; Feast of Firstfruits; Resurrection Day (sometime after 6PM Saturday)

So Jesus was in the tomb on Wednesday night (night 1, 6PM-6AM): Thursday (day 1, 6 AM-6PM): Thursday (night 2, 6 PM-6AM): Friday (day 2, 6 AM-6PM): Friday (night 3, 6 PM-6AM): Saturday (day 3, 6 AM-6PM)

This chronology is the only one that allows Jesus to mean what He said, and for him to fulfill the Feasts of the Lord as it was prophesied he would.

A cultural consideration was in play here also. In Jewish tradition a person was not written as legally dead until after THREE DAYS, since they believed that the soul waited that long to leave the body, so only after THREE DAYS would a person be considered dead and mourning could cease.  This is most likely the reason Jesus delayed in going to Lazarus until he was dead THREE DAYS. Though this not biblical fact, God wanted no question from any source that the Resurrection of both Lazarus and His Son was REAL and TRUE!

So, was the LAST SUPPER a PASSOVER MEAL?

“Now before the Feast of Passover, Jesus knowing that His hour had come that He should depart out of this world to the Father….” John 13:1

“Then Jesus said to him, (Judas), ‘what you do, do quickly’. But no one  at the table knew for what reason He said this to him. For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus had said to him. ‘Buy those things we need for the Feast’…” John 13:27-29

“Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas to the Praetorium, and it was early morning, but they themselves did not go into the Praetorium, lest they should be defiled, but that they might eat the Passover.” John 18:28 (as previously quoted)

As noted the Jews reckoned days from sunset to sunset. As you can see, John points out repeatedly that the Last Supper, the betrayal of Jesus and Jesus’ trial and crucifixion occurred before the Passover Feast, on sunset of Nisan 14, the beginning of Nisan 15, The Feast of UnLeavened Bread. Matthew 27:62; Mark 15:42; Luke 23:54 all agree on this.

So, how could Jesus eat a PASSOVER MEAL on the wrong night?

For one thing, we need to understand what Preparation Day was all about and why Jesus would say “go prepare for the Feast”.

According to The New Unger’s Bible Dictionary, the preparation was as follows:

“On the evening of the 13^th(as that day ended and Nisan 14 began), which, until that of the 14^th was called “The Preparation for the Passover” (John 19:14), every head of a family searched for and collected by the light of a candle all the leaven. Before beginning the search he pronounced the following benediction: “Blessed art Thou, O Lord our God, King of the universe, whom has sanctified us with Thy commandments, and has enjoined us to remove the leaven.” (pg 411, “Festivals”)

The Jews ate the Passover on the night of Nisan 15, just after sundown, which was the beginning of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Exodus 12:15 commands them to remove all Leaven from their dwellings, or have their “soul cut off from Israel, from the first day”.

When the disciples questioned Jesus about the Feast the next night, they did not understand that He would be dead then! Jesus could not eat of the Passover this year because He WAS THE PASSOVER! 1 Corinthians 5:7

*“And He said to them: ‘I have longingly desired (epithumia epethumesa: Greek lit. can be translated a forbidden longing, unable to be fulfilled. Evangelical Dictionary of the New Testament pg 27, vol2) to eat this Passover with you before my suffering; however, I tell you that I shall not eat of it, until it can be administered in the Kingdom of God.” (The Holy Bible in Modern English)

In The Companion Bible comment on Luke 22:15 Bullinger states that the Last Supper was “not the eating of the Lamb, but the Chagigah (or dinner which preceded it“ (pg 1500). He goes on to say that they could not have eaten a Passover lamb, as they were not to be slain until the next day. The day when the true Lamb would be slain, the True Lamb that sat at supper with them that night.

None of the four gospels record a lamb being eaten.* Bryan T. Huie;www.aristotle.net

The Lamb would be sacrificed the next day (Wednesday) at the ninth hour (3:00 PM)

Now, back to the Upper Room:

He 'sat down with the twelve' [Luke 22:14] and instructed the disciples about the bread and the cup. We will return to that aspect of the meal later. It was during the meal that Jesus told his disciples 'one of you will betray me' [Matthew 26:21, Mark 14:18, Luke 22:31 and John 13:21]. This announcement produces a seemingly strange response from the disciples. 'And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.' [Luke 22:24]. It was this event which prompted Jesus to wash the disciples feet. [John 13:1-20].

The strife 'which of them should be accounted the greatest' is a feature of the disciples’ thought patterns right through the ministry of Jesus. In Mark 9:34 the disciples had been arguing 'in the way' on this matter. On the way to Jerusalem this issue raises its’ ugly head again. Peter had asked 'what shall we have ...' [Matthew 19:27] because the disciples had 'left all' [Mark 10:28]. Jesus promises all of them that 'ye which have followed me ... shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.' [Matthew 19:28]. This promise prompted the 'mother of Zebedee's children' [Matthew 20:20], probably encouraged by her two sons James and John [see Mark 10:35] to ask that the two most important thrones of judgment be reserved for them. 'And when the ten heard it, they began to be much displeased with James and John.' [Mark 10:41].

It might seem strange that the disciples responded like this in the upper room. However we should realize that the disciples still did not know what was going to happen. They had no idea that Jesus was going to be betrayed that night and crucified the next day. The disciples were consumed with self interest.

While the argument continued among the disciples ² 

‘The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. ³ Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; ⁴ so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. ⁵ After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.” [John 13:2-6].

The record could easily have simply told us that Jesus washed the disciples feet. However the record makes extensive comment about how Jesus prepared himself and how he washed the disciples’ feet.

Judas demonstrated that he was not at one with Jesus and the disciples during the meal in Bethany or the meal in the upper room. Judas left the meal in Bethany to go and arrange the betrayal with the chief priest. [Mark 14:10]. As the meal would be in the evening we have to conclude that Judas left 'at night' even though the record does not say as much. Likewise he also left the upper room to go to the chief priests 'and it was night' [John 13:30]

On two occasions, during intimate meals, Judas demonstrated that his mind was elsewhere. He was more concerned to receive the 'reward of iniquity' [Acts 1:18] than have fellowship with his Lord and the other disciples.

The Same Night In Which He Was Betrayed …

When Paul introduces the breaking of bread in 1 Corinthians 11 he reminds us of Judas' behavior saying 'For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: ...' [1 Corinthians 11:23]. This is a clear reference to the behavior of Judas Iscariot in the upper room. Our familiarity with the record probably means that we do not notice that this is a rather discordant way to introduce the breaking of bread. The reason for this discordant aspect to his introduction is because there was a discordant spirit in the ecclesia at Corinth. Thus the Apostle is concerned to focus the believer's mind on the potential for going through the ritual of the breaking of bread without having a mind which has been affected by what it entails.

We have already seen that Judas had planned to absent himself from the meal in the upper room in order to conclude his evil deal with the chief priests. Last night he had made the arrangement to deliver Jesus to them [Matthew 26:14-15]. Now he sought an opportunity. This evening, when the disciples and Jesus were on there own would provide the ideal opportunity. Doubtless this is the reason why Jesus had kept the location of the meal secret from the majority of the disciples. Now Judas knew where they were he would be able to advise the chief priests who would be able to come and capture him without the knowledge of the common people. All through the meal Judas would be seeking an opportunity to leave and make his way to the chief priests. His mind would not be on the matters taking place in the upper room. He had another agenda.

This matches the mental state of some in the ecclesia in Corinth for ‘When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper.’ [1 Corinthians 11:20]. Some were viewing the memorial service as an opportunity to have a good feed and to get drunk. Consequently other came hungry and were not satisfied. Some, like Judas’, had another agenda. They, like Judas, had their minds on other things. Consequently the purpose of their meeting together was lost on them. There was, therefore, in Corinth, a great need for self examination. Each brother and sister had to examine their own motives and thoughts when they came to the ‘Lord’s supper.’ It is for this reason that Paul concludes his argument 'But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup....' [1 Corinthians 11:28]. They had to review their own hearts and decide whether they were at the ‘Lord’s supper’ to gratify their own fleshly desires or whether they wanted to remember the Lord’s death.

John 13

 ¹ It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.

Jesus takes the matter of “who is the greatest” to hand, not by rebuking his band of unruly followers, but in “loving them to the end” he demonstrated what they should consider as the proper place in the Kingdom meant.

Jesus laid aside His earthly garments to serve His children. It is not the first time He has laid aside His garments to reach mankind.

 Philippians 2: 5-8:

“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

 ⁶ Who, being in very nature^[a] God, 
   did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 
⁷ rather, he made himself nothing 
   by taking the very nature^[b] of a servant, 
   being made in human likeness. 
⁸ And being found in appearance as a man, 
   he humbled himself 
   by becoming obedient to death— 
      even death on a cross!”

Jesus had set aside the garments of glory to save us, now he set aside the robes of a Rabbi to teach his disciples;

“When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. ¹³ “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. ¹⁴ Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. ¹⁵ I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. ¹⁶ Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. ¹⁷ Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them”. John 13:12-17

But Jesus knew that all was not well, a traitor was in their midst.

¹⁸ “I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill this passage of Scripture: ‘He who shared my bread has turned^[a] against me.’^[b]

   ¹⁹ “I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am who I am. ²⁰ Very truly I tell you, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me.”

 ²¹ After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, “Very truly I tell you, one of you is going to betray me.”

The disciples looked at each other, suspecting themselves, before they ever suspected Judas.

“His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant. ²³ One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him. ²⁴ Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, “Ask him which one he means.”

 ²⁵ Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, “Lord, who is it?”

 ²⁶ Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” (It is very telling that John being seated to the right of Jesus, meant that Judas sat on his left, the customary place of honor for a special guest at the Feast. Even to the end, Jesus loved Judas and gave him every chance to repent, demonstrating Jesus love and respect to the man who would betray Him)Then, dipping the piece of bread,(another sign of honoring the guest) he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. ²⁷ As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him.

   So Jesus told him, “What you are about to do, do quickly.” ²⁸ But no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him. ²⁹ Since Judas had charge of the money, some thought Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the festival, or to give something to the poor. ³⁰ As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night.”

What a powerful comment that ends the fellowship with Judas.

But it was not over yet:

³¹ When he was gone, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified and God is glorified in him. ³² If God is glorified in him,^[c] God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once.

   ³³ “My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come.

   ³⁴ “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. ³⁵ By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

 ³⁶ Simon Peter asked him, “Lord, where are you going?”

   Jesus replied, “Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later.”

 ³⁷ Peter asked, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.”

 ³⁸ Then Jesus answered, “Will you really lay down your life for me? Very truly I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!

Jesus has revealed something amazing: The betrayal has occurred and He says that He is now GLORIFIED, AND God is GLORIFIED IN HIM and that it will HAPPEN AT ONCE.

The moment of deepest sorrow, and the loss of a friend becomes the process of Jesus’ glory being revealed at last. So it often is with us; the moments of grief and sorrow often are the seeds of Gods’ glory being revealed in us through our faith and his faithfulness!

Jesus again tells the disciples of His upcoming death and the loss they will soon experience, telling them He is leaving and they cannot follow Him now, but will later.

Jesus then says this:” A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. ³⁵ By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

*A new commandment? Didn’t it say back in Leviticus that we are to “love God and our neighbor”? Didn’t Jesus say that all Scripture hinges on this commandment?

Look carefully at what Jesus says here; Yes, the Old Testament is full of commandments and exhortations to love. But here, Jesus makes everything new as He says:

“Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”

How does Jesus love them? How does He love us? That’s what is new! No longer do we love generally, but sacrificially, giving our all for each other, dying to self. This is the message of the New Covenant.  In the Old Testament reconciliation was impossible without the death of an animal. Now we see all the typology of the BLOOD COVENANT being fulfilled in Jesus, the perfect Lamb of God. *Jon Courson’s Application Commentary; New Testament

Peter, being Peter, rashly promises that he will follow Jesus anywhere, even to death. Jesus tells him that he also will betray Jesus by denying Him three times before the night is over. Notice, though, that there is no reference that Jesus was “troubled in spirit”. Jesus knows the final outcome for Peter. Jesus immediately says:

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God^[a]; believe also in me. ² My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? ³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. ⁴ You know the way to the place where I am going.” John 14:1-4

We know from Matthew 26:26-29:

“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.”

 ²⁷ Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. ²⁸ This is my blood of the^[a] covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. ²⁹ 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.”

Matthew does not specify when these actions occurred only saying that it was “while they were eating”, and the cup he used he passed around, which was not traditional PASSOVER ritual, as all had a cup they used.

Luke is the only author that records the cup came “after the supper” which could place it in the role of the traditional “cup of Redemption” of the PASSOVER meal. Luke also records that a cup was passed around previous to this that Jesus advised he would not drink of again until the Kingdom of God comes.

As we mentioned before it is probable that this was not the traditional PASSOVER that all over Israel would celebrate the following night.

It could, however, been an ESSENE PASSOVER, as the Essenes celebrated their Feast a day early to protest the corruption of the Temple priesthood. A situation made plausible by the man carrying the water jar that led them to the Upper Room.  Jesus had already publicly divorced Himself from the Temple and the leaders, so for that reason an early Essene meal is very possible.

Also, as Jesus was the True Passover Lamb, as announced by John, his cousin, as recorded in John 1:29:

“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”

John, as a member of the tribe of Levi, the only son of a priest and a legitimate priest himself, unlike the Roman appointed priests at the Temple, had the right to name Jesus the Passover Lamb.

 And was present and not yet sacrificed, the meal was probably not a traditional PASSOVER, but an Essene celebration.

In any event, Jesus used the meal to announce the New Covenant:

 “And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”

In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.^” Luke 22:19-20

Jesus was announcing the fulfillment of prophecy for Israel:

“The days are coming,” declares the LORD, 
   “when I will make a new covenant 
with the people of Israel 
   and with the people of Judah. 
³² It will not be like the covenant 
   I made with their ancestors 
when I took them by the hand 
   to lead them out of Egypt, 
because they broke my covenant, 
   though I was a husband to them,” 
            declares the LORD. 

“This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel 
   after that time,” declares the LORD. 
“I will put my law in their minds 
   and write it on their hearts. 
I will be their God, 
   and they will be my people. 
³⁴ No longer will they teach their neighbor, 
   or say to one another, ‘Know the LORD,’ 
because they will all know me, 
   from the least of them to the greatest,” 
            declares the LORD. 
“For I will forgive their wickedness 
   and will remember their sins no more.” Jeremiah 31:31-34

THE MARRIAGE COVENANT

But there was another facet to this Covenant, that is often overlooked;

In First Century Judaism a very specific ritual was followed when a couple was preparing to be married.

The ritual goes as follows:

Jewish Weddings First-Century Style

 When a Jewish young man wished to marry a particular young woman, it was customary for the prospective groom's father first to approach the girl's father with the proposal of marriage.  The two men would discuss this possible union including the price offered by the groom for the bride.  If the girl's father agreed to the suggested amount, the two men sealed the agreement with a toast of wine. 

 The potential bride then entered the room whereupon the prospective groom proclaimed his love and asked her to be his bride.  If the young woman wished to be his wife, she accepted his proposal at this time.  The validation of the agreement made by the engaged couple was the presentation of a gift by the groom.  He offered it in the presence of at least two witnesses.  As he gave the gift, usually a ring, he said to his intended bride, "Behold you are consecrated unto me with this ring according to the laws of Moses and Israel." 

 Arrangements were also made right then concerning the terms of the marriage.  A written contract listed the time, place, and size of the wedding as well as recording the dowry and terms of maintenance of the marriage.  This binding document called a "ketubah" was kept in the bride's possession until the consummation of the marriage.  Finally, this first part of a two-part ceremony was concluded by the toast of a glass of wine.  The whole ceremony was called the "Shiddukhin," or engagement.

   The Bible refers to the status of the prospective bride and groom as "espousal" or "betrothal."  It meant that the two people were committed to each other as much as a married couple would be.  The only parts of the marriage not yet completed were the formal "huppah" ceremony followed by their physical union.  This betrothal was considered so binding that the only way to break it was by an actual bill of divorcement. 

 The groom then departed, but not before he assured his bride with the promises of building a home for her and returning to complete the marriage ceremony.  He usually took a year to prepare her new home which often consisted of an addition built onto his own father's house. The words used were “I go to prepare a place for you, and I will come and take you to be with me in my fathers’ house.”

 The bride was expected to remain true to her groom as she prepared herself and her trousseau.  She lived for the day of his return for her which would be heralded by a shout from the members of the wedding party.  The impending return of her groom was to influence the bride's behavior during this interim espousal period.   

 The typical Jewish wedding took place at night.  As soon as any members of the wedding spotted the moving torches signaling the groom's approach, their cry echoed through the streets, "The bridegroom is coming."  The Wycliffe Bible Encyclopedia tells us, "Mirth and gladness announced their approach to townspeople waiting in houses along the route to the bride's house."  Upon hearing the announcement, the excited bride would drop everything in order to slip into her wedding dress and complete her final personal preparations for marriage.

    Rather than the groom entering the bride's house, the bride came out to meet him.  The two, accompanied by their wedding party, returned together to the groom's home for the marriage ceremony.  Following the public ceremony, the newlyweds entered their bridal chamber to be intimate with each other for the first time.  After this union, the groom came out and announced to the wedding guests, "Our marriage is consummated."

     Upon receiving the glad news, the wedding party began a "festive" seven-day celebration.  The celebration lasted seven days only if this was the first marriage of a virgin girl.  During this time the bride and the groom stayed with each other in seclusion.  At the end of this time of privacy, the groom would present his unveiled bride to everyone in attendance.  The newlyweds then joined in the wedding feast with the guests.

  Jesus the Groom, Believers the Bride

 In the Bible, God describes mankind by such unflattering examples as dumb sheep, foolish builders, temporary grass, vipers, ornate tombs, and blind leaders of the blind.  Of course these and other disparaging descriptions fit us all too well.  But, because of God's great love, He has other, quite compassionate ways to describe His feelings toward those who respond to His offer of salvation.  He gives us such wonderful titles as sons, joint heirs with Christ, beloved, and children.  One of the most tender terms used to describe us is "the bride, the Lamb's wife."

   We just reviewed customs surrounding first-century Jewish betrothals and weddings.  Now let's explore how these might relate to us as Christians today.  Then let's seek to uncover the possible prophetic information presented in these ceremonies.   

 In eternity past, God the Father and God the Son planned our salvation.  The Bible states concerning God, "He hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world." They settled the price long before the offer of salvation was given to us.  We see God the Father as the "father of the groom" and because Jesus is actually the creative person of the Godhead, He stands in as the "the father of the bride." 

 How encouraging to realize this offer of love was not an afterthought of God.  In fact, the Scripture refers to Jesus as "the lamb slain from the foundation of the world." 

 Jesus (in the form of a man) also steps into the role of the prospective groom.  He offered Himself as the "price" for us, His intended bride.  God actually says about us, "For ye are bought with a price."  

 After the plan was established, this loving proposal of salvation was given by Jesus to all mankind.  God explains that everyone has the opportunity to respond to His offer.  The Bible says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."  "The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament sheweth his handywork...There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard."   God also warns us that everyone understands who He is, so when people reject this proposal of love they are "without excuse."

 When we answer "yes" to Jesus' offer of marriage, we become His betrothed.  This arrangement is secured by the Holy Spirit, who protects the purchased bride until the return of Jesus.   God says, "Ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory."  Our "engagement ring" of promise is none other than the Holy Spirit of God Himself. 

 Imagine, too, that just as the Jewish bride of long ago held the written promise of marriage commitment (ketubah) in her hand, so the prospective bride of Christ today holds the Bible in her hands.  These written promises from Jesus describe His everlasting love and commitment.

 On the night before His Crucifixion, Jesus drank a glass of wine with His followers.  Lifting the cup He declared, "This cup is the New Testament in my blood, which is shed for you."  Paul reminds us that Jesus commanded, "This do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me."   Just as the groom in a Jewish marriage toasted his espoused bride, so we, by the communion cup, remember our betrothal to Jesus and the supreme price He paid for us.

 Jesus said He must leave us in order to go back to His Father's house and prepare our new home.  He promised also to return and gather all those who constitute His bride and transport them to this new home.  This parallels exactly the ancient marriage customs!  John 14:1-2

 For nearly two thousand years, Jesus has been in heaven "preparing a place for us."  In God's time, Jesus will "descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God... We which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air: so shall we ever be with the Lord ."  This catching away, called by many "the Rapture," is pictured in the Jewish marriage custom.  The groom comes to the bride's home and brings her back to the wedding ceremony which is held at his father's house.  This is the same house where he has also prepared a home for her.

 Although we, the bride of Christ, have known for nearly two thousand years that Jesus would return for us, we have only been able to say, "He's coming back—maybe in my lifetime."  "For our conversation is in heaven; from whence we look also for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ." 

 We have, of necessity, spent a portion of our lives involved in mundane matters since we didn't know the exact time of His return.  However, just as the first-century bride reacted excitedly when she heard the shout across town announcing the impending arrival of her groom, so we as the listening bride of Christ should react when we hear the call, ahead of Jesus' arrival, "The bridegroom is coming." 

 The wedding celebration of seven days is carried on by the guests while the bride and groom spend this time in seclusion.  At the end of the seven days the groom brings his bride out and her veil is removed for the first time, so all the guests can see her beauty.

 This is a picture of the seven-year celebration in heaven which occurs simultaneously with the seven-year time of Tribulation transpiring on earth.  The culmination of this time is described in the Bible.  "Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.  And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of the saints.  And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb."

 John Walvoord writes that "the marriage symbolism is beautifully fulfilled in the relationship of Christ to His Church.  Revelation 19:6-9;

 Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:

   “Hallelujah! 
   For our Lord God Almighty reigns. 
⁷ Let us rejoice and be glad 
   and give him glory! 
For the wedding of the Lamb has come, 
   and his bride has made herself ready. 
⁸ Fine linen, bright and clean, 
   was given her to wear.”

   (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.)

 ⁹ Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” And he added, “These are the true words of God.”

This is actually a prophetic hymn anticipating the marriage of the Lamb and His bride after He has begun His reign, and He will not begin His reign on earth until He has conquered the kings of the earth led by Antichrist."  

 The Jewish wedding, a perfect picture from beginning to end of Jesus' love for believers, should melt our hearts with appreciation.  The prophetic picture is quite accurate, bringing us once again to see that God has woven many time clues in the Scriptures for us to discover, especially in the offer of marriage covenant in the last sermon of Jesus to his eleven as they leae the upper Room.

Jesus will finalize this covenant, the true BLOOD COVENANT, which was not new to God, only Israel, who still struggled under the Mosaic Covenant. This was the covenant established between God the Father and Jesus the Son, standing in or place, before the world began, and pictured in the Abrahamic Covenant: God going through the sacrifice Himself.

As they leave the meal and the Upper Room they sing again the Hallel, Psalm 118; ending with “This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it.” Jesus knows THIS IS THE DAY THE LORD HAS MADE; His whole life has walked toward this day.

On the way to Gethsemane Jesus will tell the disciples a great sermon of love, give the promise of the Holy Spirit and  remind them that like the Menorah in the Temple, He is the vine, they are the branches, without Him, through the Holy Spirit, they will be unable to fulfill His commands and bear fruit. He will tell Thomas that He is the Father who has been with them all along; one of the great testimonies to the Trinity: He will then pray for them, in what is truly THE LORDS PRAYER;

 John 17:1-26

Read this prayer often, it will give great comfort, for you are one of the ones who will believe the message and will share His glory with all those who have gone before, and be in intimate union with your husband the Lord of Life and Glory!