Thursday of Holy Week

Mark 14:12-51

On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, when it was customary to sacrifice the Passover lamb, Jesus’ disciples asked Him, "Where do you want us to go & make preparations for You to eat the Passover?"

So He sent two of His disciples, telling them, "Go into the city, & a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. Say to the owner of the house he enters, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is My guest room, where I may eat the Passover with My disciples? ‘ He will show you a large upper room, furnished & ready. Make preparations for us there."

The disciples left, went into the city & found things just as Jesus had told them So they prepared the Passover. When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve. While they were reclining at the table eating, He said, "I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me—one who is eating with me."

They were saddened, & one by one they said to Him, "Surely not I?" "It is one o the Twelve," He replied, "one who dips bread into the bowl with Me. The Son of Man will go just as it is written about Him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born."

While they were eating, Jesus took break, gave thanks & broke it, & gave it to His disciples, saying, "Take it; this is My body." Then He took the cup, gave thanks & offered it to them, & they all drank from it. "This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many, " He said to them. "I tell you the truth, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it anew in the kingdom of God." When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

"You will all fall away," Jesus told them, "for it is written: ‘I will strike the Shepherd & the sheep will be scattered.’ But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee." Peter declared, "Even if all fall away, I will not." "I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "today—yes, tonight—before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times." But Peter insisted emphatically, "Even if I have to die with You, I will never disown You." And all the others said the same.

They went to a place called Gethsemane, & Jesus said to His disciples, "Sit here while I pray." He took Peter, James & John along with Him, and He began to be deeply distressed & troubled. "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death," He said to them. "Stay here & keep watch." Going a little farther, He fell to the ground & prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. "Abba, Father," He said, "everything is possible for You. Take this cup from Me. Yet not what I will, but what You will."

Then He returned to His disciples & found them sleeping. "Simon," He said to Peter, "are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? Watch & pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." Once more He went away & prayed the same thing. When He came back, He again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to Him.

Returning the third time, He said to them, "Are you still sleeping & resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Let us go! Here comes My betrayer!

Just as He was speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared. With him was a crowd armed with swords & clubs, sent from the chief priest, the teachers of the law, and the elders. Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: "The One I kiss is the man; arrest Him & lead Him away under guard." Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, "Rabbi!" and kissed Him. The men seized Jesus & arrested Him. Then one of those standing near drew his sword & struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.

"Am I leading a rebellion," said Jesus, "that you have come with swords & clubs to capture Me? Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, & you did not arrest Me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled." Then everyone deserted Him & fled. A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him, he fled naked, leaving his garment behind.