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John 18:1-19
When Jesus had finished praying, he left with his disciples. They crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was a garden. Jesus and his disciples went into it.Judas knew the place. He was going to hand Jesus over to his enemies. Jesus had often met in that place with his disciples.So Judas came to the garden. He was guiding a group of soldiers and some officials. The chief priests and the Pharisees had sent them. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons.Jesus knew everything that was going to happen to him. So he went out and asked them,“ Who do you want?”“ Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied.“ I am he,” Jesus said. Judas, who was going to hand Jesus over, was standing there with them.When Jesus said,“ I am he,” they moved back. Then they fell to the ground.He asked them again,“ Who do you want?”“ Jesus of Nazareth,” they said.Jesus answered,“ I told you I am he. If you are looking for me, then let these men go.”This happened so that the words Jesus had spoken would come true. He had said,“ I have not lost anyone God has given me.”( John 6:39)Simon Peter had a sword and pulled it out. He struck the high priest’s slave and cut off his right ear. The slave’s name was Malchus.Jesus commanded Peter,“ Put your sword away! Shouldn’t I drink the cup of suffering the Father has given me?”Then the group of soldiers, their commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They tied him upand brought him first to Annas. He was the father- in- law of Caiaphas, the high priest at that time.Caiaphas had advised the Jewish leaders that it would be good if one man died for the people.Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. The high priest knew the other disciple. So that disciple went with Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard.But Peter had to wait outside by the door. The other disciple came back. He was the one the high priest knew. He spoke to the servant woman who was on duty there. Then he brought Peter in.She asked Peter,“ You aren’t one of Jesus’ disciples too, are you?”“ I am not,” he replied.It was cold. The slaves and officials stood around a fire. They had made it to keep warm. Peter was also standing with them. He was warming himself.Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus. He asked him about his disciples and his teaching.
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Psalms 22:1-21
My God, my God, why have you deserted me? Why do you seem so far away when I need you to save me? Why do you seem so far away that you can’t hear my groans?My God, I cry out in the daytime. But you don’t answer. I cry out at night. But you don’t let me sleep.But you rule from your throne as the Holy One. You are the God Israel praises.Our people of long ago put their trust in you. They trusted in you, and you saved them.They cried out to you and were saved. They trusted in you, and you didn’t let them down.Everyone treats me like a worm and not a man. They hate me and look down on me.All those who see me laugh at me. They shout at me and make fun of me. They shake their heads at me.They say,“ He trusts in the Lord. Let the Lord help him. If the Lord is pleased with him, let him save him.”But you brought me out of my mother’s body. You made me trust in you even when I was at my mother’s breast.From the time I was born, you took good care of me. Ever since I came out of my mother’s body, you have been my God.Don’t be far away from me. Trouble is near, and there is no one to help me.Many enemies are all around me. They are like strong bulls from the land of Bashan.They are like roaring lions that tear to pieces what they kill. They open their mouths wide to attack me.My strength is like water that is poured out on the ground. I feel as if my bones aren’t connected. My heart has turned to wax. It has melted away inside me.My mouth is dried up like a piece of broken pottery. My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. You bring me down to the edge of the grave.A group of sinful people has closed in on me. They are all around me like a pack of dogs. They have pierced my hands and my feet.Everyone can see all my bones right through my skin. People stare at me. They laugh when I suffer.They divide up my clothes among them. They cast lots for what I am wearing.Lord, don’t be so far away from me. You give me strength. Come quickly to help me.Save me from being killed by the sword. Save the only life I have. Save me from the power of those dogs.Save me from the mouths of those lions. Save me from the horns of those wild oxen.
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Leviticus 1:6
The skin must be removed from the animal brought for the burnt offering. Then the animal must be cut into pieces.
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Mark 14:1-15
The Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread were only two days away. The chief priests and the teachers of the law were plotting to arrest Jesus secretly. They wanted to kill him.“ But not during the feast,” they said.“ The people may stir up trouble.”Jesus was in Bethany. He was at the table in the home of Simon, who had a skin disease. A woman came with a special sealed jar. It contained very expensive perfume made out of pure nard. She broke the jar open and poured the perfume on Jesus’ head.Some of the people there became angry. They said to one another,“ Why waste this perfume?It could have been sold for more than a year’s pay. The money could have been given to poor people.” So they found fault with the woman.“ Leave her alone,” Jesus said.“ Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me.You will always have poor people with you. You can help them any time you want to. But you will not always have me.She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body to prepare me to be buried.What I’m about to tell you is true. What she has done will be told anywhere the good news is preached all over the world. It will be told in memory of her.”Judas Iscariot was one of the 12 disciples. He went to the chief priests to hand Jesus over to them.They were delighted to hear that he would do this. They promised to give Judas money. So he watched for the right time to hand Jesus over to them.It was the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. That was the time to sacrifice the Passover lamb. Jesus’ disciples asked him,“ Where do you want us to go and prepare for you to eat the Passover meal?”So he sent out two of his disciples. He told them,“ Go into the city. A man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him.He will enter a house. Say to its owner,‘ The Teacher asks,“ Where is my guest room? Where can I eat the Passover meal with my disciples?” ’He will show you a large upstairs room. It will have furniture and will be ready. Prepare for us to eat there.”
