Grace City Denver

Knowing that he’s going away and his disciples are facing significant confusion, doubt, and anxiety, Jesus urges them to pursue lives of obedience and to look for the Helper. The Helper is nothing less than the third Person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, who will come live in believers to teach, comfort, and empower.

On the eve of his death, Jesus reassures his disciples that they already know the Father because they know him – and he claims ontological unity and equality with the Father (and the Spirit) as part of the Trinity. Because he’s going away, and will send the Spirit, the Church can continue to live and pray with power. The Gospel of the Kingdom will expand, not shrink. And prayers that align with his purposes in the world will be gladly answered.

Peter wants to follow Jesus wherever he goes. And he’s confident he has what it takes to lay down his life for Jesus. (Spoiler alert: he doesn’t.) Thomas speaks for all the disciples, admitting he doesn’t know where Jesus is going or how to get there. Religion tries to answer this question and bridge this gap by telling you the way to God is through your performance. Jesus claims he is the way – and the only way back to the Father.

Why does Jesus say the hour for him to be glorified has come if he’s headed to a gruesome death on a cross? Why does he say the disciples can’t come with him? What does he mean when he says the command to love one another is “new”? How can we love each other as Jesus has first loved us?

At the Last Supper with his disciples, Jesus prophesied that one of them who ate his bread would be a traitor. Judas is subsequently identified, though most of the disciple seemed unaware of his intention to betray Jesus. This message goes back chronologically in the story of Judas to uncover the roots of his treacherous heart and to serve as a cautionary tale for others.

During the Last Supper with his disciples, Jesus rose from the table, poured a basin of water, and began to wash their feet. This prompts an awkward exchange with Peter, where he first denies the Lord the opportunity to wash his feet, then asks him to wash all of him. Jesus concludes by commanding the disciples to do for one another what he had done to them. This sermon unpacks the meaning of both the foot washing itself and Jesus’ command that his followers should continue to do as he had done.

In Jesus’ last public address to the crowds, he claims to have an intimate, one-of-a-kind relationship with the Father and he invites people to believe in the light and walk in the light. Most of the people continue on the same path and are actually hardened in their unbelief, while others wrestle with just how closely they want to be associated with Jesus.

“The hour” that Jesus has been waiting for has finally come: it’s nearly time for him to present himself as the full and final Passover sacrifice. He must die in order to bear much fruit for eternity. He must be lifted up on a cross before he can be lifted up to his glorious, exalted status as King of the nations. And every true disciple must follow him on the path of self-denial and service.

When Jesus rode into Jerusalem on what’s now known as “Palm Sunday,” he was greeted by crowds that were filled with nationalistic fervor. They ignored Jesus’ true mission to lay down his life and they tried to make him king on their own terms. But Jesus wouldn’t stoop to their demands. He wouldn’t save the Jews from the Gentiles; he would give his life to save both Jews and Gentiles.

As the Passover approaches, many people gather in Jerusalem, and the religious leaders plan to arrest Jesus. Jesus goes to Bethany, where He is honored with a dinner at the home of Lazarus. During the meal, Mary anoints Jesus' feet with expensive perfume, a gesture of love and preparation for His burial. Judas criticizes her for wasting the perfume, but Jesus commends her.