John's Eyewitness to Calvary

Introduction

This morning we celebrate Easter. It is the time of year that we celebrate all that Jesus Christ did for us when he willingly gave up his life.

This morning I want to look at what at the events of the last week of Jesus’ life from a different point of view. This morning I want you to put yourself in the place of one of Jesus most trusted disciples. The disciple named John.

John’s Story

It was a crazy week. Here we were one week before the Passover, one of the most holy celebrations of the year. There was so much to do, and Jerusalem was filled with people. We had been spending the night in one of two places. Either in the small town of Bethany just a few miles southeast of Jerusalem, or out in an olive orchard just outside the city, called the “Mount of Olives.”

Six days to Passover. Last night we were in Bethany, at the home of Lazarus, the man Jesus raised from the dead. Lazarus, Martha, and Mary were giving a dinner in honor of Jesus. While we were there, Mary took a pint of this expensive perfume and poured it on Jesus, and then wiped His feet with her hair.

Judas was mad! He said that the perfume was wasted, and it should have been sold so the money could be given to the poor. Now we know he just wanted to have the money for himself.

Jesus scolded him, and said, “Leave her alone. It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”

Heading to Jerusalem. The next morning we headed to Jersualem. As we got close to Bethphage, a little town just a couple of miles outside Jerusalem and very close to the Mount of Olives, Jesus quietly sent two of other disciples to the town, telling them to go into Bethphage where they would find a donkey’s colt. They were to bring the colt to Jesus. If anyone asked them about taking the donkey, they were to simply say, “The Lord has need of him.” And Jesus said, the people will let the donkey go.

Bethphage. The two went and found everything just as Jesus had said, and when questioned they responded, “The Lord has need of him,” and the men let them go.

Onward to Jerusalem. When they arrived with the donkey, several of us laid our coats on the animal’s back, and Jesus began riding.

Entering Jerusalem. As we entered the City people began crying out “Hosanna, hosanna, blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” They laid palm branches down in front of the donkey—and laid their coats down for the donkey to walk on. It seemed like everyone was paying homage to Jesus! The air was filled with joy and anticipation. This is what we signed up for—we were the dedicated followers of Jesus the Messiah! And now EVERYONE knew who He was—THE MESSIAH!

At the Temple. When we arrived in Jerusalem, we went up to the temple. There, Jesus drove out all those who sold animals for the Temple sacrifice, and he overturned the tables of the money changes. Saying, “It is written, ‘My house she be called a house of prayer.’ But you have made it into a den of robbers.” Jesus’ action angered the religious leaders, but they did not do anything.

Back to Bethany.Once again we left and returned to Bethany where we had been staying.

Back to Jerusalem. The next morning we headed back into the city. As we approached the city, Jesus saw a fig tree, and he went over to see if it had any fruit. Well it wasn’t fig season so as you can imagine there was no fruit. No figs at all! I heard Jesus quietly mumbled, “May no fruit ever come from you again.”

The next morning, as we approached the tree, we were all amazed that the tree had withered and died.

A Busy Week Teaching. During this week, Jesus was busy teaching, yet his messages seemed to be aimed at us, as though he was preparing us for something. Yet we did not understand what was happening. Yet, each day we returned to the temple, where Jesus sat and taught.

Where are we going to prepare Passover? All too soon it was once again time for us to celebrate the Passover. Jesus sent me and Peter into Jerusalem. He told us, “Go into Jerusalem and prepare the Passover so that I may eat it.” Now you’ve got to understand, during Passover, Jerusalem is full and running over. How did he expect us to find a place for him to celebrate the Passover?

The Plan! Then Jesus said, “When you enter Jerusalem find the man carrying a water pot on his head. Follow him to the house he goes into. Then ask 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.”

Just like Jesus said! You know, we did what Jesus said, and sure enough there was a room large enough to handle our entire group! So Peter and I began to make preparations for the Passover meal.

Passover! As the group arrived, I was finishing up some of the last minute details for the meal. Everyone came in and very quickly sat down. We were going to begin the Passover meal, celebrating God’s deliverance of our people, Israel, from Egypt.

A Foot Washing! We were just about to begin the meal, but before we could, Jesus got up from the table, went to the back of the room, took off his outer robe; wrapped a towel around his waist, picked up a bowl of water and headed towards us. Jesus came to us, one by one, he knelt down and began to wash each of our feet. We all just sat there. None of us could believe what we were seeing. Jesus, our great Rabbi, was washing our feet! That was a job for the lowest of servants, but Jesus—the Great Teacher—washed my feet!

Peter’s Response! No one said a word until Jesus came to Peter. Peter was indignant, and refused to allow Jesus to wash his feet. Jesus simple responded, “Peter, unless I wash your feet, you have no part of me.” Well, that was all it took. Peter wanted Jesus to wash all of him! But Jesus said, “No Peter, only your feet need to be washed.”

Jesus’ Example. Jesus told us that since he, our Teacher and Lord was willing to wash our feet, we needed to be prepared to wash each other’s feet.

Betrayal looms. As we celebrated the Passover meal together, Jesus began telling us that one of us was going to betray him. He talked as if he already knew who it was going to be. Peter leaned back and asked me to see if I could find out who Jesus was talking about. But all Jesus would say was, “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, son of Simon. Yet, none of us understood what was going on!

Do it quickly. Jesus then told Judas, “What you are about to do, do quickly,” None of us at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him. And since Judas was in charge of the money, we all thought Jesus was telling him to buy something we still needed for the Feast, or to give something to the poor. As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out into the night.

A New commandment. That’s when Jesus told us he was giving us a new command—we were to love one another.

Everyone will deny Me. Jesus told us that all of us would deny Him. None of us could believe we would ever do such a thing, but none of us said anything. None of us except Peter. He said he would NEVER deny Jesus. Then Jesus told him, he would deny Jesus that very night and that the rest of us would run off leaving Jesus all alone. We couldn’t believe what we were hearing!

Cram Session. The rest of the evening was like one gigantic cram session. There was so much Jesus wanted to tell us, but it seemed as though he was running out of time. Little did we know that was exactly what was happening.

Time to go. All too quickly, we left that room and went out the Mount of Olives where we were going to spend the night.

The Mount of Olives. When we arrived at the orchard, Jesus asked us all to pray with him. Then he asked Peter, James, and me to go a little deeper into the orchard with him to watch and pray. I tried, really I did! But I had been working hard all day, and it wasn’t long before I was asleep.

Disappointed. Jesus came back, and woke us up, and asked us again to watch and pray with him for yet a little while, but once again in the quietness of the night, I fell asleep.

Times Up. The next time I awoke, there was a mob coming towards us led by Judas. Judas had betrayed Jesus—How could he have done such a thing? He had been one of us!

Off with your ear. Peter grabbed his sword and swung it wildly trying to split in two the head of the servant of the High Priest. But Peter is a fisherman, not a swordsmen. He missed, and only cut off his ear.

Put away the sword. Jesus told Peter to put away his sword, “For those who live by the sword, die by the sword.” Then he healed the man’s ear!

Chaos! What happened next is hard to say, because all of us were afraid. They grabbed Jesus and bound him. In fear, the rest of us began to run, and run. We were all running not believing what what happening!

Peter & me! Peter and I met up a little while later. We ran into each other as we secretly followed to see where they took Jesus. Since I had some family connections, I was able to get us into the court yard of the High Priest’s house—where they had taken Jesus. With my connections, I was able to get a bit closer to the actual proceedings, while Peter had to stay in the courtyard.

Peter’s denial. It was in that courtyard, that Peter denied Jesus three times, just like Jesus said he would. When I returned to the courtyard, Peter was gone. I found him a few blocks away crying like a baby.

Following the mob. Again we followed the mob as they headed to judgment hall of Pontius Pilate. The Jews hurdled all kinds of accusations about Jesus, but Pilate kept saying, that he could find no fault in Jesus.

Beaten to a pulp. Pilate even tried to have Jesus beaten, hoping it would appease the Jews. But it didn’t! They wanted Jesus DEAD!

Jesus or Barabbas. So out of fear, and hope to prevent some kind of riot, Pilate offered the Jews a choice—Jesus who was loving and caring or Barabbas, a notorious murder and rebel rouser!

Disbelief. I couldn’t believe my ears when the crowd began to chant over and over again, “Barabbas, Barabbas, Barabbas. . .” And then I really couldn’t believe my ears when Pilate asked what he should do with Jesus, and they began to chant, “Crucify him, crucify him, crucify him!” THIS COULDN’T BE HAPPENING!

Washing his hands! At that, Pilate washed his hands of the situation, and told the Jewish leaders that the blood of Jesus was on their heads, since he could find no justification to crucify him.

To Report. Jesus was led away, and Peter and I left to tell the others what had happened.

Golgotha. A group of us gathered at Golgotha—the place of the skull. I was there, trying to easy the pain of Mary, the mother of Jesus.

Your Mother. At one point, Jesus looked at me, and said, “Here’s your mother.” And he looked at his mom and said, “Here’s your son.” Jesus gave me the job of caring for his mother.

Disgusting scene. As Jesus hung there the gambled away his cloths and the few earthly belongs he had.

The People. People hurled insults at him, and even one of the guys hanging next to him on a cross hurled his own insults. The other thief, rebuked the first one, and then asked Jesus to remember him, when Jesus came into his kingdom. Jesus said to the man, “Today you will be with me in Paradise.”

Few Words. Jesus didn’t speak much from the cross. At one point, he yelled, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani.” Which means,

“My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?”

I thirst. A little later, he said, “I thirst.”

Into Your hands. . .Then he said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”

Final Words. And finally, he yelled, “It is FINISHED!” And he died!

Confusion! There was a earthquake, the sun was turned to night. None of us, who followed Jesus, knew what to do. We never, I mean never thought Jesus would die! It wasn’t supposed to end this way.

Joseph of Arimathea. A man named Joseph who was from Arimathea went to Pilate to ask for the body. He and Nicodemus took the body down and quickly wrapped it and put it in Joseph’s family tomb. Then they closed the tomb by placing a large stone in the entrance.

The Women. Some of the women came and told us where they had put the body. They also said that a huge stone had been used to seal the tomb off and that soldiers were guarding the tomb.

Great Fear! None of that mattered! No one was going to the tomb for a while, because the sun was almost down, and the Sabbath had begun. It would two long nights before anyone could go to the tomb again.

The Women leave. No one noticed when the ladies left early Sunday morning for the tomb. We had been too afraid, and the grief and alertness had faded into a deep sleep. No one noticed them leave!

They’re back! Yet very shortly, the women were back—they began telling how the tomb was open, the guards were gone, and so was Jesus. They said an angel told them Jesus would meet us in Galilee just as he said he would!

Off to the races. Peter looked at me, and I looked at him. At the same moment we both began to run towards the tomb. I got there first, and bent down to look inside. But Peter—he ran right past and into the tomb. There were the empty cloths that had been used to wrap Jesus—empty like the body had been sucked out of them. And the cloth that should have been over Jesus’ face, was neatly folded and setting off to one side. But the Body was GONE!

How? How? How could this be? I had seen Jesus die!

Gone Fishin. Sadness, despair, fear, and grief gripped our hearts. A little later Peter told me he was going back to Galilee to go fishing. A whole group of us decided we’d go with him. None of us could figure out what had happened to Jesus. So we went back to what we knew—Fishing! Yep, we went and fished all night. And we didn’t catch a thing.

Have you caught anything? Then early in the morning, I saw a man on the shore. He had a fire going and something was cooking on the fire. He yelled out to us, “Have you caught anything?” “No” we yelled back and boy were we disgusted! Then the man yelled out again, “Cast your nets on the other side of the boat.” No offense, but I’m a professional fisherman. I know how to fish! And besides we had cast the net on the right side, left side, front side, and back side. It didn’t matter which side we threw our net, we simple did NOT catch any fish. Until we humored the man and threw it out, one more time.

Filled with Fish! To our surprise our net was so full that it almost began to tear. I looked at Peter and cried, “It’s the Lord!” That was all Peter needed to hear, he jumped in and swam to shore while the rest of us pulled this huge catch of 153 large fish to shore.

Emotional Week! It was an emotional week! But what I’ll always remember was the unique way Jesus took the items of the Passover Meal, the bread and the wine and made them about Him. “This bread now represents my body which is broke for you.” This cup now represents my blood that is shed for you.” And He told us when we ate the bread and drank of the cup we were to remember His death until He comes again!

The Lord’s Supper. And that is why today we come to what has become “The Lord’s Supper.” If you have accepted Jesus as your Savior and you are seeking to make Him your Lord, then we invite you to participate in this celebration with us, for it is the Lord’s Supper. But if you haven’t accepted Jesus as your Savior, then we ask that you allow the bread and cup to simply pass, for 1 Corinthians tells us “Anyone who eats of the bread or drinks of the cup unworthily, eats and drinks judgment upon himself.” And we wish that on no one.

There, in the Upper room, during the Passover meal, Jesus began to tell us about His impending death. He said he was going to suffer and die. It was during this conversation that the took the bread from the meal and began to break it into pieces, telling us that it represented His body which is broken for us. Then He took the wine from the meal, and told us that it represented His blood that would be shed for us.

He told us that whenever we broke the bread, and whenever we drank of the wine we were remembering His sacrifice for us, and while at the same time looking forward to His return.

This Easter Morning I want us to take some time to remember the great sacrifice the Savior made for us. And I want us to take some time and remember His promise that if He goes to prepare for you He will come again to receive us unto Himself so that where He is we can also be.