The Gospel of Luke for Readers Part 7

Heaven and earth shall pa.s.s away, but my words shall not pa.s.s away.

And watch yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with self-indulgence, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that day comes and you are unaware and unprepared. For, as a snare, it shall come on all who dwell on the face of the earth. Watch, therefore, and pray always, so you may be counted worthy to escape these things that shall come to pa.s.s, and to stand before the Son of man.

During the day Jesus taught in the temple. At night He went out of the city and abode in the mount called the mount of Olives. People came to the temple early in the morning to hear Him.

22 The feast of unleavened bread, which is called the Pa.s.sover, was near. The chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill Him; for they feared the people. Then Satan entered into Judas Iscariot who was one of the twelve. He approached the chief priests and captains and said he was willing to betray Jesus to them. They were glad and agreed to give him money. He gave a promise and then sought an opportunity to betray Him.

Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the pa.s.sover must be killed. Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare the pa.s.sover that we may eat. They said to Him, Where do you want us to go to prepare? Jesus said, When you enter the city, a man, bearing a pitcher of water, will meet you, follow him into the house he enters. Say to the good man of the house, The Master says to thee, Where is the guestchamber where I shall eat the pa.s.sover with my disciples? He shall show you a large furnished upper room. Prepare everything there.

They went and found everything as He said to them. And there they prepared the pa.s.sover.

When the hour came, Jesus sat down with the twelve apostles. He said to them, I have looked forward to sharing this pa.s.sover with you before I suffer, for I tell you, I will not eat again until the kingdom of G.o.d is fulfilled. He took a cup, gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves, for I tell you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of G.o.d comes.

Then He took bread, and gave thanks, and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me. Likewise, after supper, He took a cup, saying, This cup is the new testament, my blood which is shed for you.

But, behold, the hand of him that betrays me is with me at the table.

The Son of man goes as it was determined, but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed! They began to enquire among themselves, which of them it was that could do this thing. There was also a strife among them about which of them should be counted the greatest.

Jesus said, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. But, among you this shall not be so for he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, let him be as he that serves. Which is greater, he that sits at the table or he that serves?

Is it not he that sits at the table? Yet I am among you as He that serves.

You are the ones who have stood by me in my temptations. I appoint to you a kingdom, as my Father has appointed to me, so you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

The Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith would not fail. When you are converted, strengthen your brothers. Peter said, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death. And Jesus said, I tell you, Peter, the c.o.c.k shall not crow this day before you shall three times deny that you know me.

Then He said to them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, did you lack anything? And they said, Nothing. Then He said, But now, he that has a purse let him take it, and likewise, his scrip, and he that has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one. For I say to you, this that is written must yet be accomplished in me: He was reckoned among the transgressors.

The things concerning me have an end. They said to Him, Lord, look, here are two swords. And Jesus said to them, It is enough. He went out and up into the mount of Olives; and His disciples followed Him.

At a certain spot He said to them, Pray that you do not enter into temptation. He withdrew, about a stone's cast, and knelt down, and prayed, saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me; nevertheless, not my will, but thine be done.

There appeared an angel from heaven to strengthen Him because He was in agony. He prayed more earnestly, and His sweat was like great drops of blood falling on the ground. When He rose up from prayer and returned to His disciples, He found them sleeping. Jesus said to them, Why sleep? Rise and pray lest you enter into temptation.

And while He yet spoke, a crowd appeared, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them and drew near to Jesus to kiss Him. But Jesus said to him, Judas, do you betray the Son of man with a kiss?

When the disciples saw what was going to happen, they said to Him, Lord, shall we strike with the sword? And one of them smote the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus said, Enough. No more of this. He touched the servant's ear and healed him.

Then Jesus said to the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders in the crowd, Why do you come out armed with staves and swords as against a thief when I was daily with you in the temple and you could have stretched forth your hands against me? But this is your hour, and the power of darkness. Then they took Him, and led Him into the high priest's house.

Peter followed from afar. As they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall and warmed themselves, Peter sat down among them. But a certain maid noticed him. She looked closely at him and said, This man was also with Him. Peter denied Him, saying, Woman, I know Him not.

After a little while another saw him and said, Thou art one of them.

Peter said, No, I am not.

About an hour later, another person said, Of a truth, this fellow was with Him for he is a Galilaean. Peter said, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he was still speaking, the c.o.c.k crowed.

The Lord turned and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He said to him, Before the c.o.c.k crows, thou shalt deny me three times. Peter went out and wept bitterly.

The men that held Jesus mocked Him, and smote Him. and when they had blindfolded Him, they struck Him in the face, and said, Prophesy, who is it that smote thee? And they said many other blasphemies against Him.

As soon as it was day, the elders and the chief priests and scribes came together. They led Him into their council, saying, Art thou the Christ? Tell us. Jesus said, If I tell you, you will not believe, and if I also ask you, you will not answer me or let me go. Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of G.o.d. Then they all said, Art thou then the Son of G.o.d? And He said to them, Ye say that I am. Then they said, What need we of any further witness? We ourselves have heard it from His own mouth.

23 The whole mult.i.tude arose and led Him to Pilate. They began to accuse Him, saying, We found this man misleading the people, opposing the tribute tax to Caesar, saying that He is Christ, a king.

Pilate asked Him, Art thou the King of the Jews? Jesus answered, Thou sayest it. Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the people, I find no fault in this man. They became fierce, saying, He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee to this place. When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man was a Galilaean. As soon as he knew that He belonged to Herod's jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who was in Jerusalem at that time.

When Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad. Herod had wanted to see Him for a long time because he had heard many things about Him. Herod hoped to see some miracle done by Him. Then he asked Jesus many questions but He answered nothing. The chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused Him. Herod and his soldiers treated Him spitefully and mocked Him. They arrayed Him in a gorgeous robe, and sent Him back to Pilate.

Pilate and Herod, who had been bitter enemies, became friends that day. When he had called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, Pilate said to them, You have brought this man to me as one who stirs up the people, and, having examined Him before you, I have found no fault in this man regarding those things of which you accuse Him, nor did Herod for he sent Him back. I will, therefore, chastise Him and release Him. (For of necessity he must release one to them at the feast.)

They cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man. Release Barabbas to us. Pilate therefore, wanting to release Jesus, spoke again to them. But they cried louder, saying, Crucify Him, crucify Him. Pilate said to them the third time, Why, what evil has He done? I have found no cause to put Him to death. I will chastise Him and let Him go.

Immediately and with loud voices, they demanded that He be crucified.

The voices of the chief priests prevailed and Pilate gave sentence that it be as they demanded. He released to them Barabbas, who was in prison for sedition and murder, and turned Jesus over to them. And as they led Him away, they laid hold upon a man named Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming out of the country. They laid the cross on him to carry for Jesus.

Many women followed Jesus, crying and lamenting. Jesus turned to them and said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves and your children. The days are coming, in which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the b.r.e.a.s.t.s that never nursed. Then they shall say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us. For if these things happen when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry? There were also two others, both criminals, who were led with Him to be put to death.

When they came to the place called Calvary, they crucified Him and the two criminals, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. Then Jesus said, Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. They divided His garments by casting lots. The people who stood looking on, and the rulers with them, derided Him, saying, He saved others. Let Him save Himself, if He is Christ, the chosen of G.o.d. And the soldiers mocked Him, coming to Him and offering Him vinegar. They said, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself. Over Him, they hung a sign written in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

One of the criminals said to Him, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other criminal rebuked him, saying, Have you no fear of G.o.d for you are in the same condemnation? We have been justly condemned for our deeds but this man has done nothing. He said to Jesus, Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom. And Jesus said to him, Today you will be with me in paradise.

It was about the sixth hour. There was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. The sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in the middle when Jesus cried out with a loud voice, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit, and He took His last breath.

When the centurion saw what was done, he glorified G.o.d, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man. All the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, returned home beating their b.r.e.a.s.t.s. And the women that followed Him from Galilee, stood far off and watched these things.

There was a just and good man named Joseph, a member of the council who did not consent to this deed. He was from the Jewish city of Arimathaea and was awaiting the kingdom of G.o.d. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Joseph took the body down, wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a new sepulchre that was hewn in stone. It was the day of preparation and the sabbath was about to begin. The women who came with Jesus from Galilee followed along. They beheld the sepulchre and how His body was laid. They returned and prepared spices and ointments, then rested on the sabbath day according to the commandment.

24 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they went to the sepulchre with the spices they had prepared, and certain others were with them. They found the stone rolled away and they went in, but did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. The women were perplexed and, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. In fear, they bowed down their heads. Then the two said to them, Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen.

Remember how He spoke to you when He was yet in Galilee, saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified, and the third day rise again? And they remembered His words. They left the sepulchre and told all these things to the eleven, and to all the rest. It was Mary Magdalene; Joanna; Mary, the mother of James; and other women that were with them who told these things to the apostles. Their words seemed like idle tales and they did not believe them.

Then Peter arose and ran to the sepulchre. Stooping down, he saw the linen clothes laid by themselves and he left, wondering about what could have happened.

That same day two of them went to a village called Emmaus, which was a few miles from Jerusalem. They talked over the things that had happened. And, while they were talking, Jesus drew near and walked with them. But their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him. Jesus said to them, What were you discussing as you walked along that made you look so sad? One of them, whose name was Cleopas, said to Him, Are you a stranger in Jerusalem and do not know the things that have come to pa.s.s these days? He said to them, What things?

They said, About Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before G.o.d and all the people, and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to be condemned to death and crucified Him.

We trusted that He would redeem Israel and, besides all this, today is the third day after these things were done. Some of the women of our group astonished us. They went early to the sepulchre and, when they did not find His body, they came back and said they had also seen a vision of angels who said that He was alive. Then some of those who were with us went to the sepulchre and found it was as the women said, but they did not see Him.

Then He said to them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken. Should the Messiah not have suffered these things and not enter into His glory? Beginning with Moses and all the prophets, He pointed out to them all the things in the scriptures concerning Himself.

They drew near the village where they were going and He made as though He would have gone further. But they said, Stay with us. It is almost evening and the day is far spent. Jesus went in with them. As He sat with them, He took bread, blessed it, and broke it, and gave it to them. Their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished out of their sight. They said to eachother, Did our hearts not burn within us while He talked with us along the way and while He opened the scriptures to us?

They rose up right away and returned to Jerusalem. They found the eleven and those who were with them, saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon. Then they told what happened to them and how they recognized Him by the breaking of the bread.

Then, as they spoke, Jesus stood in the midst of them and said, Peace be to you. But they were terrified and supposed they saw a spirit. But He said to them, Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet. Touch me and see me; for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.

When He had thus spoken, He showed them His hands and His feet. And while they were still astonished, He said to them, Have you anything to eat? They gave Him a piece of broiled fish and a piece of a honeycomb. He took it and ate it before them. He said, These are the words I spoke to you while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the law of Moses and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.

Then He opened their understanding, that they might know the scriptures. He said to them, Thus it is written that the Messiah would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be preached in His name among all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.

You are witnesses to these things. Behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you. Stay in the city of Jerusalem until you are filled with power from on high. He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands, and blessed them.

While He blessed them, He was parted from them and taken up into heaven. They worshipped Him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple, praising and blessing G.o.d.