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Jet Tour of the Bible, Part 5
1. Matthew: Show how the Gospel of Matthew demonstrated that Jesus is the King and what is taught about the coming of the Kingdom. Matthew began his Gospel by showing that Jesus is of the Davidic line (1:1-17) which gives Jesus legal right to the throne. Matthew then explained that Jesus was born of Mary and the Holy Spirit to fulfill Old Testament prophecy concerning the coming Messiah or one who was anointed to be king (1:18-25; cf. Is. 7:14; 49:1, 5). Matthew followed his account of Jesus' birth with the account of the visit of the wise men from the east who came to honor the "king of the Jews" (2:1-2). The chief priests and scribes told Herod that the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem according to the OT prophet (2:4-6). In order to escape from Herod's desire to kill the newborn king, Jesus was taken to Egypt by his parents in fulfillment of yet another OT prophecy concerning the Messiah (2:13-15; cf. Hos. 11:1). Herod's massacre of the children in Bethlehem fulfilled the OT prophecy given by Jeremiah (2:16-18; cf. Jer. 31:15). Later, Jesus' family resettled in Nazareth and thus fulfilled an obscure prophecy of the Messiah being called a Nazarene. Matthew presented John the Baptist as the forerunner of the Messiah who prepared the people to receive Jesus as their Messiah (3:1-12). Matthew recorded the testimony of the Father who spoke from Heaven at Jesus' baptism affirming that Jesus was the Son of God (3:17). Later during the early part of Jesus' ministry, Matthew affirmed that Jesus' dwelling in Capernaum fulfilled OT prophecy of the Messiah spoken by Isaiah (4:15-17; cf. Is. 9:1,2). Matthew recorded that the people who heard Jesus teach were amazed that he did not teach as the scribes, but as one who had authority (7:28-29). Matthew demonstrated Jesus' authority over nature (8:23-27), demons (8:28-34), physical ailments (9:2-8; 27-30), and even death (9:18-26). When John the Baptist began to have doubts concerning Jesus and sent a delegation to him, Jesus responded by telling John's disciple to report to John the works that Jesus was doing that verified his identity as Messiah (11:2-6). Jesus questioned his own disciples about his identity and affirmed to them that he was in fact "the Christ, the Son of the living God" (16:13-17). Jesus confirmed this claim shortly after during the transfiguration where he gave a glimpse of his glory to Peter, James, and John (17:1-6). Matthew recorded Jesus' instruction to his disciples in what the role of the Messiah was to entail in regards to his death, burial, and resurrection (16:21; 17:22-23; 26:2). Matthew showed the Messianic significance of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem during the Passover week before his death (21:1-5, 9, 15-16). Matthew recorded Jesus' testimony which affirmed his identity as Messiah to the chief priests and elders (21:42-46; 26:63-64), to the Pharisees (22:41-45), and to Pilate (27:11). The Roman soldiers mockingly acknowledged his kingship (27:29-37). Matthew recorded Jesus' resurrection from the dead which fulfilled Jesus' own prophecy and confirmed his identity as Messiah (28:6). Jesus then commissioned the disciples on the basis of his authority to make disciples of all the nations (28:18-20). Jesus began his public ministry by announcing that the kingdom of heaven was at hand (4:17). However, Jesus taught his disciples that his kingdom was being established spiritually rather than physically (5:1-7:29; 6:10; 7:21; 13:19; 24:14). Matthew also recorded many of Jesus' parables that taught about the nature of Jesus' kingdom (9:16-17; 13:3-8, 31-33, 47-50). Like yeast permeating dough, this kingdom will grow quietly and exponentially until the gospel will reach every nation and then the end of this present age will come (24:14) and Jesus will establish his kingdom physically (24:30; 25:31-46). 2. Mark: What did the Gospel of Mark teach about Jesus as Christ and Son of God and what it meant to be a follower of Him? Mark presented Jesus as an active, compassionate, and obedient servant who constantly ministered to the physical and spiritual needs of others. Mark did not set out to prove Jesus' kingship and so excluded his ancestry and birth account and moved right into his public ministry (1:14-15). Mark commented very little on Jesus' life. Instead, he allowed Jesus' actions to speak for themselves. Mark recorded many miracles of Jesus to show both the power and compassion of Jesus, that he is both the powerful Son of God and the compassionate servant. Jesus established his greatness through his service to others. As the Son of God, Jesus had authority to perform miraculous works which were always for the benefit of others. Jesus' miraculous works were acts of service to others but also functioned as confirmation of his identity as the Son of God. Jesus came to Earth as God in human flesh. He clearly claimed to be the Son of God to his followers, the crowds, and the religious leaders. He demonstrated this truth by forgiving sins (2:5-12), controlling the forces of nature (4:35-41), and overcoming disease, demons, and death (5:1-43). Even the demons that he cast out of people acknowledged Jesus as the Son of God (3:11-12; 5:7). God the Father also gave testimony to Jesus as his own Son (1:11; 9:7). When questioned at his trial, Jesus affirmed that he was the Son of God (14:61-62). And finally, when Jesus died on the cross, the Roman centurion who was present confessed that Jesus was truly the Son of God (15:39). As Christ, Jesus came not only to serve, but to give his life a ransom for many (10:45). Over one third of Mark's Gospel is devoted to the last eight days of Jesus' earthly life. Although, Mark does not comment on the meaning of the crucifixion, Jesus' sacrifice for the sins of others on the cross was the ultimate act of service. Mark showed that Jesus' followers were to follow Jesus' example and serve others. When the disciples had disputed among themselves as to who would be greatest, Jesus taught them the way to be great was to be the servant of all (9:33-37). At another occasion, James and John asked Jesus to grant them the highest positions in Jesus' kingdom. Jesus used the occasion as another opportunity to teach the disciples that rather than exercising authority over others, his followers are to be the servants of all if they want to be great (10:35-45). Mark also recorded Jesus' demands for discipleship (8:34-38). He told the people who sat under his teaching and the disciples, that whoever desired to follow him must deny himself, take up his cross and follow him (8:34). Jesus demanded total surrender and commitment which would lead to finding true life (8:35). He taught that to seek one's own desires apart from Christ would lead to losing one's own soul, even if one was able to gain the entire world (8:36-37). He gave his hearers the big picture when he reminded them that he would one day return in the glory of his Father with the holy angels thus affirming that only what was done to extend his kingdom was of any lasting significance (8:38). After his resurrection, Jesus commanded his disciples to go into the entire world and proclaim the gospel to everyone in order to effect the salvation of all who believe (16:15). So Mark's Gospel teaches that to be a follower of Jesus means to carry on the work that Jesus started until he comes again in glory. 3. Luke: Trace the development of God's plan/purpose in the Lord Jesus as revealed in the Gospel of Luke. Luke began his account of the unfolding of God's plan in the Lord Jesus with the intertwined infancy stories of John the Baptist and Jesus. God sent an angel to announce to Zacharias that a son would be born to him who would prepare the way for the Messiah (1:11-17). God also sent an angel to Mary and Joseph to announce that Mary would conceive a son who would "be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God [would] give Him the throne of His father David" (1:26-33). Throughout Luke's Gospel he shows that God takes the initiative in fulfilling his purpose which was foreordained. This can be seen in Luke's use of the "dei" (must) motif which signifies the necessity of fulfilling God's plan. The first instance of the "dei" motif is early in Jesus' life when he was visiting the temple at twelve years of age. He told his parents who had been searching for him that he "must" be about his Father's business (2:49). Later, after Jesus was full grown and during his public ministry, he told his disciples that he "must" preach the gospel (4:43). Jesus displayed a divine constraint on him to fulfill a divine plan and purpose for his life on earth. This divine constraint gave Jesus a sense of mission and urgency to fulfill the task for which he was sent by his Father. Jesus predicted that "must" suffer, be rejected by the religious establishment, be killed and on the third be resurrected (9:22). God's plan for Jesus included preaching and teaching, but also to suffer, die, and rise again to redeem lost sinners. Jesus knew this and was able to face it because it was determined beforehand to be God's plan and purpose. Even in the face of opposition which threatened his life, Jesus said that he "must" keep on ministering until he was killed in Jerusalem according to the divine plan (13:33). When teaching his disciples about the events surrounding his second coming, Jesus said that he "must" first be suffer and be rejected by that generation (17:25). During further teaching concerning last days events, Jesus taught his disciples that frightening events leading up to his return "must" take place prior to the end of the age (21:9). The night before his death, Jesus prepared his disciples for the coming conflict. He told them to prepare for their security knowing that he "must" fulfill the scriptures which foretold his death (22:37). Jesus understood that the events that would take place were not mere coincidence, but rather part of God's plan from ages past. Jesus was able to look death in the eye because of his confidence that it was for God's eternal purposes. After Jesus' death and burial, certain women who followed Jesus came to his tomb and found it empty. Two angels were present and reminded them that Jesus had said that he "must" be killed by sinful men and rise again on the third day (24:7). Once reminded, they remembered his words and told the other disciples. Somehow, they had forgotten that this event was part of God's plan as Jesus had clearly taught them. Later, the risen Lord came upon two disciples on the road to Emmaus who also had forgotten the Lord's instruction. He admonished and reminded them that the Christ "had" to suffer before entering his glory (24:26). He then explained from the Old Testament scriptures what had been prophesied concerning him. Finally, Jesus showed himself to his disciples and reminded them that he had already taught them that everything written about him in the Old Testament "must" be fulfilled (24:44). They had no reason to be confused about Jesus' death since it was a "necessary" part of God's plan (24:46). Thus Luke clearly demonstrated that Jesus came to fulfill a definite plan that God had orchestrated. Jesus' death was not an unfortunate end, but the successful fulfillment of God's eternal purpose to provide the way for repentance and remission of sins to be preached in Jesus' name to all nations (24:47). 4. John: How is the purpose of belief in Jesus, the Christ, the Son of God developed in the Gospel of John? John's purpose for his Gospel is that his readers might come to believe in Jesus. This purpose is seen in 20:30-31 where he stated that he recorded some of the signs of Jesus to lead the readers to believe and also in 19:35 where he stated that he was an eyewitness of the crucifixion and gave his testimony of it in order that his readers might believe. John constructed his Gospel around seven "signs" or public miracles that showed that Jesus is God. The first sign is the turning of the water into wine (2:1-12). The second is the healing of the nobleman's son (4:46-54). Third is the healing of the lame man at the pool of Bethesda (5:1-17). The fourth sign is the feeding of the five thousand (6:1-14). Fifth is the walking on the water and calming the storm (6:15-21). The sixth sign is the healing of the man blind from birth (9:1-41). And finally, the seventh sign is the raising of Lazarus from the dead (11:17-45). Jesus performed these miracles not simply to display his power. John described them as "signs" that pointed to a deeper reality than the miracles themselves. The signs were given to elicit faith in the person of Jesus as God incarnate. This is seen to be the purpose for the signs as John mentioned the resulting belief in Jesus that accompanied most of the signs. In addition to the seven signs are the seven "I am" statements of Jesus which are followed by various metaphors that are given to elicit faith. The seven statements are: (1) "I am the bread of life" (6:35, 41, 48, 51). (2) "I am the light of the world" (8:12). (3) "I am the door of the sheep" (10:7, 9). (4) "I am the good shepherd" (10:11, 14). (5) "I am the resurrection and the life" (11:25). (6) "I am the way, the truth, and the life" (14:6). (7) "I am the true vine" (15:1, 5). Through each of these "I am" statements, Jesus makes it clear that only by believing in him can one have abundant and eternal life. Each metaphor is a clear representation of the absolute necessity of faith in him. Without bread, one cannot live. A branch that is not abiding the vine cannot live. Life is inextricably associated with a vital relationship with Jesus Christ. There are four aspects to belief in the Gospel of John. There is first the aspect of "believe that." This aspect emphasizes the content of the belief (11:27; 14:10; 16:23, 30; 17:8). Peter, speaking for the twelve, confessed that they would not desert Jesus as others had because they believed that Jesus alone had the words of eternal life and they had come to believe that He was the Christ (6:68-69). The second aspect is to believe in the sense of acknowledging something or someone as true. The disciples believed that Jesus and the scriptures were true in foretelling Jesus' death and resurrection (2:22). On the other hand, the Pharisees did not believe Jesus' testimony about himself (8:45). The third aspect of belief is to "believe in" or "believe on" (2:11, 23; 7:31, 39; 8:30; 10:42; 12:11; 16:9). This aspect emphasizes trust in someone or something. John's Gospel promises that whoever believes in (or trust in) Jesus shall not perish but have everlasting life (3:16). The fourth aspect is to believe in the absolute sense. It emphasizes the act of faith (1:50; 3:12; 6:47; 11:14-15, 40; 14:29). The clearest example of this aspect of belief is when Jesus told Thomas to not be unbelieving, but believing (20:27). He was telling Thomas to exercise belief. Jesus told Thomas that because he had seen the risen Lord he believed, but those who do not see yet believe would be blessed (20:29). Thus, John encouraged his readers to believe in Jesus on the basis of his testimony and that of Jesus himself which was verified by his miraculous signs. 5. Acts: Trace the spread of the Gospel according to the book of Acts. According to the book of Acts, the spread of the Gospel had its beginnings with Jewish believers in Jerusalem. Prior to Jesus' ascension, he told his disciples to wait in Jerusalem until they received the baptism of the Holy Spirit (1:4-5). Following this event, they would be his witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (1:8). In Acts 2, Jesus' prophecy concerning the coming of the Holy Spirit was fulfilled and the believers in Jerusalem began to publicly proclaim Christ (2:14-6:8). Acts 6:9-7:60 contains the record of Stephen's testimony to the religious leaders and his martyrdom at their hands. Present at Stephen's death, was a young Pharisee named Saul (7:58; 8:1a) who would later be converted and go on to become Paul, the great apostle to the Gentiles. The persecution in Jerusalem against the believers led some of them to leave the city (8:1) and as they went they preached Christ (8:4). Among them was Philip the evangelist. He went to Samaria and preached Christ there (8:5-13). Philip also witnessed to an official from Ethiopia in the desert area south of Jerusalem who believed and was baptized (8:26-39). Philip also preached along the Mediterranean coast from Gaza to Azotus to Caesarea (8:26, 40). Saul was on his way to Damascus to arrest the believers there when he was stopped by the Lord Jesus and converted (9:1-9). Saul continued on to Damascus and stayed with a disciple named Ananias (10-19). Saul began to preach Christ in the synagogues there (9:20-22). Saul escaped from the Jews who had plotted to kill him in Damascus (9:23-25) and went to Jerusalem with Barnabas and remained there for a time before going back to his native Tarsus (9:26-30). Churches had become established and experienced growth in all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria (9:31). The apostle Peter worked miracles and preached the Gospel in the cities of Lydda and Joppa (9:32-43). Peter then traveled from Joppa to Caesarea, where Cornelius the Roman soldier and other Gentiles were converted and baptized (10:1-48). Peter reported these events to the believers in Jerusalem who rejoiced that God granted salvation to the Gentiles (11:1-18). As a result of persecution that arose over Stephen, believers had become scattered as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch and as they went they preached to the Jews (11:19). This preaching resulted in many people repenting and believing in Christ in Antioch (11:20-21). Barnabas was sent by the Jerusalem church to Antioch and he encouraged them in their work (9:22-24). Afterwards, Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek out Saul (11:25). When Barnabas found Saul, they returned to Antioch and remained there a year teaching the people (11:26). The leaders of the church at Antioch were instructed by the Holy Spirit to send Barnabas and Saul out to preached the Gospel (13:1-3). This event marked the beginning of the missionary journeys of Saul. Around this time Saul began to be called Paul (13:9). During the first missionary journey Paul and Barnabas took the Gospel to Galatia (13:4-14:28). Following the report of this first missionary journey and the conversion of Gentiles, the church at Jerusalem held a council in which it was determined that Gentile believers are not required to keep the law (15:1-35). After reporting this news to the church at Antioch, Paul embarked on his second missionary journey with Silas in which they took the Gospel to Greece (15:36-18:22). Again, Paul returned to the church at Antioch (18:22). Paul then departed for his third missionary journey to Galatia, Asia, and Greece (18:23-21:16). Following this last missionary journey, Paul went to Jerusalem where he was arrested on false charges by the Jews and imprisoned (21:27-26:32). After some time in prison, Paul was sent to Rome to stand trial before Caesar (27:1-28:29). Paul, as usual, preached Christ to everyone everywhere he went. While he awaited trial in Rome, he continued for two years to preach and teach without any hindrance (28:30-31). And there the record of the spread of the Gospel in the book of Acts abruptly ends. 6. Trace the development of the life of Christ from His birth to the beginning of His ministry in Galilee. According to John's Gospel, Jesus Christ existed as God before his physical incarnation and that is where he begins his Gospel. John explained that Jesus took on human form and came to dwell among men. (Jn 1:1-18). According to Matthew and Luke, Jesus was descended from the line of David on both Mary's and Joseph's family line (Mt 1:1-17; Lk 3:23b-38). Mary was visited in Nazareth by the angel Gabriel and told that though she was a virgin, she would bear a son who would be the Messiah (Lk 1:26-38). Later Gabriel made a similar visit to Joseph who was wondering what to do about Mary's pregnancy (Mt 1:18-25). Because of the census, Mary and Joseph were required to register in Bethlehem (because Joseph was of the house of David) which is where Mary gave birth to Jesus (Lk 2:1-7). While there, they were visited by shepherds who had been told by an angel that the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem that very day (Lk 2:8-20). They told Mary and Joseph all they had heard and seen. Eight days later Jesus was named and circumcised (Lk 2:21). After the days of purification according to the law of Moses, Mary and Joseph took Jesus to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord and to offer sacrifice (Lk 2:22-38). While there, an elderly man named Simeon blessed God when he saw Jesus because he was told by the Holy Spirit that he would see the Messiah before his death. After Simeon came Anna, a widow who constantly prayed in the temple, and she also gave thanks to God for the child as the redeemer. Following this event, Mary, Joseph, and Jesus returned to Nazareth (Lk 2:39). It seems the return was a brief visit to gather some belonging before returning to Bethlehem to make their home there since it was in Bethlehem that the magi came to visit them and then they fled to Egypt for a time (Mt.2:1-18). After Herod's death, the family went back to Nazareth rather then Bethlehem because Joseph was warned in a dream about returning to Judea under the reign of Archelaus (Mt 2:19-23). So Jesus continued to grow in strength and wisdom in Nazareth (Lk 2:40). Mary and Joseph went up to Jerusalem each year to celebrate the Passover and when Jesus was twelve they brought him along (Lk 2:41-50). When the family departed, Jesus remained in the temple conversing with the teachers there. All those who heard him were amazed at his understanding. When asked by his parents as to why he stayed behind causing them worry, he said that they should not have been surprised that he needed to be in his Father's house. And so Jesus returned with his parents to Nazareth in submission to them (Lk 2:51-52). He continued to grow and increase in wisdom and in favor with God and men. The Gospels are silent on the life of Jesus from this point until his baptism by John in the Jordan River. Matthew, Mark, and Luke all record Jesus' baptism and the heavenly Father's testimony as he rose from the water affirming him as his own son (Mt 3:13-17; Mk 1:9-11; Lk 3:21-23a). John the Baptist testified publicly that he was only the forerunner to God's Messiah and that Jesus was that long-awaited one (Mt 3:11-12; Mk 1:7-8; Lk 3:15-18). These three Gospels also record Jesus' forty-day fast and temptation in the desert. Jesus successfully resisted Satan's attempts to destroy his ministry before it even began by clinging to the Word of God (Mt 4:1-11; Mk 1:12-13; Lk 4:1-13). After the temptation in the wilderness, Jesus began to publicly preach and call his disciples. John the Baptist also continued to publicly bear witness of Jesus until his arrest and imprisonment (Jn 1:19-34). 7. Describe the last two years of the public ministry of Christ. The last two years of Christ's public ministry began during his ministry in Galilee shortly before the peak of his popularity. Jesus thrilling the people of the land with his teaching and miracles, but offending the religious leaders who were constantly criticizing him. For example, he healed and forgave the paralytic who was brought to his house in Capernaum to the joy of the one healed and the people there, but the scribes and Pharisees believed that he blasphemed for claiming to be able to forgive sins which only God can do (Mt 9:1-8; Mk 2:1-12; Lk 5:17-26). Jesus was at this point still calling together his disciples such as Matthew the tax collector (Mt 9:9; Mk 2:13-14; Lk 5:27-28). About half way into his public ministry, Jesus appointed the twelve apostles who were to learn from him and be sent out to preach (Mk 3:13-19; Lk 6:12-16). Jesus received much criticism from the Pharisees for seemingly breaking the Sabbath by healing and picking grain with his disciples. This caused him to withdraw more away from the public places and lead to the crowds following him into the wilderness places (Mt 12:1-21; Mk 2:23-3:12; Lk 6:1-11; Jn 5:1-47). Shortly after appointing his apostles, Jesus taught the Sermon on the Mount which gave his disciples the principles for living in the Kingdom of God (Mt 5:1-7:29; Lk 6:17-49). By this point, Jesus' following had grown still larger (Mt 8:1) and many came to him to ask for healing which he readily obliged (Mt. 8:5-13; Lk 7:1-17). As Jesus' fame grew, so to did his emphasis on repentance. Jesus wanted followers who were sincerely seeking the Kingdom of God not just miracles. This growing emphasis can be seen in Jesus' pronouncement of woes upon Chorazin and Bethsaida for their failure to repent even in with the great authenticating signs that were given to them (Mt 11:20-30). Jesus also commended the faith of the sinful, but contrite woman over the faith of the judging and unrepentant Pharisee (Lk 7:36-50). The rift between Jesus and Pharisees only grew deeper when the scribes and Pharisees accused Jesus of casting out demons by Beelzebub (Mt 12:22-37; Mk 3:20-30). Jesus began to teach the mysteries of the kingdom through the use of parables (Mt. 13:1-52; Mk 4:1-34; Lk 8:4-18). He taught both the crowds and the disciples in this way. As Jesus continued to minister around Galilee, he continued to receive opposition. He made one final visit to his hometown of Nazareth, but the people took offense to him and did not believe in him (Mt13:54-58; Mk 6:1-6a). Jesus made one last Galilean campaign before withdrawing and concentrating his ministry around, but not directly in, Galilee. It was during this time that Jesus fed the 5,000 and later the 4,000 in Decapolis, walked on the water, and was transfigured before Peter, James, and John. It was also during this time that Jesus traveled as far as Tyre and Sidon in his effort to avoid Galilee. Jesus warned his disciples about the teaching of the scribes and Pharisees. At Caesarea Philippi, Jesus questioned the apostles about his identity. Peter spoke for the group when he confessed that he is the Christ (Mt 16:13-20; Mk 8:27-30; Lk 9:18-21). But, attempting to maintain a low profile, Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone that he was the Christ. Soon afterwards, Jesus began predicting his rejection, crucifixion, and resurrection (Mt 16:21-26; Mk 8:31-37; Lk 9:22-25). Following the journey to Jerusalem for the Feast of Tabernacle, Jesus began his later Judean ministry. Jesus taught publicly and escaped attempts at arrest and stoning by the Pharisees in Jerusalem. Jesus then sent out the seventy in a successful preaching and healing campaign. And then began a second debate with the scribes and Pharisees. This was followed by lengthy teaching to his disciples warning them of the upcoming dangers. Jesus then ministered in and around Perea. He gave further teaching on the demands and cost of discipleship. During this time, Jesus conducts a brief tour of Samaria and Galilee while the Sanhedrin decided to put Jesus to death. Jesus then began his final journey to Jerusalem. 8. Trace the events of the life of Christ in His last week and through His ascension. The events leading to the last week of Jesus' earthly life begin with his arrival in Bethany. It was in Bethany, at the home of Simon the leper, that Mary (sister of Martha and Lazarus) anointed Jesus with costly perfume for his burial (Mt 26:6-13; Mk 14:3-9; Jn 12:1-11). Afterwards, Jesus entered Jerusalem on the back of a colt in fulfillment of Zc 9:9. The crowds were ecstatic and welcomed him as their Messiah (Mt. 21:14-11, 14, 17; Mk 11:1-11; Lk 19:29-44; Jn 12:12-19). Following this triumphal entry, Jesus and the twelve went back to Bethany for the night. The next day Jesus went into the temple and drove out the merchants and money-changers (Mt 21:12-13; Mk 11:15-18; Lk 19:45-48). Afterwards, Jesus was questioned by the chief priests and elders about his authority to do what he had done in the temple (Mt 21:23-27; Mk 11:27-33; Lk 20:1-8). This was followed by even more questioning by the Pharisees, Herodians, and Sadducees designed to trap Jesus (Mt 22:15-23:39; Mk 12:13-44; Lk 20:20-21:4). Jesus responded by challenging them and pronounced woes against them. As Jesus left the temple with his disciples they began a discussion regarding the end times. Jesus taught them on the Mount of Olives about the signs of end times and his return (Mt 24-25; Mk 13; Lk 21). During this time the chief priests, scribes, and elders were plotting how they would seize Jesus and kill him. Then Judas went and agreed to betray Jesus into their hands (Mt 26:1-16; Mk 14:1-11; Lk 21:37-22:6). Jesus ate the Passover meal with his disciples the night before his arrest. During this meal, Jesus washed the disciples feet as an example of servanthood, identified his betrayer, predicted Peter's denial and instituted the Lord's Supper to commemorate his death. From John's Gospel comes the Upper Room Discourse. Jesus then leads the disciples to the Garden of Gethsemane where he prays three agonizing prayers. It was there in the Garden that Judas leads an armed multitude from the chief priests and elders to arrest Jesus and bring him to a mock trial. Jesus appeared before Annas, then Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin, then again before the Sanhedrin. Then Jesus was taken before Pontius Pilate, then Herod Antipas, and then back to Pilate again. Though Pilate found no fault in him, he was unable to appease the Jews without a death order even after having him flogged. Jesus then was handed over to the Roman soldiers by whom he was mocked as King of the Jews. He was lead to Golgotha where he was nailed to a cross between two thieves. After hanging on the cross for six hours, Jesus died. Before being removed from the cross, Jesus was pierced by a Roman soldier to assure that he was dead. Afterwards, he was placed in the tomb of Joseph of Arimethea.. The Jews were concerned that Jesus' disciples would try to steal the body and falsely claim he had risen from the dead, so they pressed Pilate to appoint a Roman guard for the tomb. After the Sabbath, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James , Salome came to the tomb with spices to anoint Jesus' body. However, they found the stone removed and Jesus body missing. An angel told them he was not there but had risen just as he had said. They left the tomb and rushed to tell the disciples who did not believe them. Peter and John went to have a look and found the tomb empty. John's Gospel records that Mary was again at the tomb and Jesus appeared to her and told her go announce it to the others. Matthew reported that Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene and "the other Mary." The report of the empty tomb had reached the Jews and they bribed the Roman soldiers to say that while they slept his disciples came and stole the body. Jesus then appeared to two disciples who walked on the road to Emmaus. Jesus explained to them from the scriptures all the things concerning himself. He then appeared to Peter and then to the ten disciples (Thomas was absent). Later, he appeared also to Thomas with the other disciples. Jesus also appeared to the eleven in Galilee and commissioned them to make disciples of all the nations. Finally, Jesus appeared to the eleven again near Jerusalem and from Mount Olivet he ascended into heaven in their presence. Two angels who were present told them that Jesus would return just as they had seen him go. And the disciples went and preached Christ everywhere. Jet Tour of the Bible, Part 6.
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