When we think about Jesus on the cross, we can ask ourselves who he is. He is the suffering servant, the glorious king and our wonderful saviour.

The religious leaders wanted Jesus killed out of self-interest, the crowds just followed the leaders without examining the facts, and Pilate chose to serve the crowd rather than his conscience or justice. They all deserved to die, and we can often be like them. But even those who deserve to die can be forgiven.

Peter had given up everything to follow Jesus. He had witnessed his miracles and confessed Jesus to be Son of God. Yet he disowns Jesus after boldly declaring that he would never do this. This helps us to recognise our own weaknesses and it reminds us of the power of prayer and it helps us to be amazed by the grace of God.

We can learn what it means to live by faith from Elijah. It means learning to rely on God, to obey him and to work with him. God frequently provides for us in mundane ways at the last minute so that we can learn to trust him.

Jesus was not the freedom fighter that the Jewish leaders feared he was, though he does fight and he wins the victory over death. He was not a blasphemer, but really is the Son of God. He is not a helpless victim, but courageously submits to God's will.

The disciples want Jesus to stay where he is, where he is popular, but he knows it's time to move on to the next town. Is it time for us to move on?

We can never know what Jesus suffered in his darkest hour as he looked into the cup of our iniquities, but we can only marvel, and find forgiveness for our greatest sins, comfort in our deepest sorrows and grace to fight our strongest temptations.

The last meal Jesus had with his disciples is no longer about freedom from slavery in Egypt but freedom from slavery to sin. The Lord's Supper brings us back to Jesus when we've drifted, it reminds us of all Jesus bought for us and that we are part of God's people, and it helps us to look forward to the celebration meal in God's Kingdom.

We see in this passage a God who is control, a king who is worth worshipping and a challenge to guard our hearts. So let's worship him freely without worrying about what others might think.

There will be difficult times until Christ returns, but through it all God is in still in control. We must be alert, neither trying to predict when he will return or being unprepared for it, and should continue to love God and one another.