Jesus had promised the Holy Spirit many times. Now He arrives and sends the church on mission to start its journey through the earth. Fifty days after Passover is Pentecost, which is a celebration of the grain harvest in the land around Israel. God sends Himself in Spirit form on the celebration of the grain harvest!

The Spirit arrives and many hear its arrival. The disciples start speaking and many people from many lands hear them in their own language. Some believe they are drunk.

Peter then steps up, likely on the steps of the temple, and begins to share the Gospel. He defends their lack of alcohol influence and then shares through parts of the Old Testament what Jesus means and calls people to believe. They do! The church starts and on the first day, 3000 people jump on board.

Then the church is described by what they are doing. They are devoted to learning and fellowship, eating together and praying. God does many wonders in their midst adn they selling things to share what they have and worship Him! Many more started joining the church day after day.

The book of Acts is a companion letter for the book of Luke. If you read Luke and Acts together, it would be like one story with two acts: What Jesus Did and Taught Us/How the Church Implemented Jesus’ Life and Teachings. This starts in Jerusalem and then moves to the rest of the world (as they knew it). A major character emerges first as a persecutor and then as an advocate/missionary. Many followers die. It is an interesting start to the movement that many of us now call home – the church.

Luke writes Acts and starts by giving us a brief review. Then he adds to the ascension narrative and gives us one very famous verse: “but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (1:8).” This is also the progression the church moves through the land. Watch this roll out!

Then the disciples select Matthias to replace Judas and we find out that 120 people are in the upper room. Waiting. Watch what happens next!

The final chapter of John is one of restoration and embracing new identities. The boys are back to fishing. Jesus gets their attention by telling them to drop their nets like He did earlier (Luke 5). Peter is overwhelmed by Jesus’ presence and swims with his overcoat on and everything! As he arrives to the shore, Jesus already has fish and bread on a fire (curious). This is not far from the spot of the feeding of the 5000 and likely Jesus is pulling all the imagery He can to have this last conversation.

He then restores Peter and then Peter wants to know what his place in this whole story is. Jesus asks Peter to focus on Him and not look back. He even says that Peter will die later in life against his will (remember this!). Peter then compares himself to John and Jesus again focuses him on what’s important. Are we focused on what is important?

After the ladies purchased the correct spices and supplies to properly bury Jesus (He had died too close to sundown) and headed to the tomb. Likely they purchased these things just after the Sabbath ended and the shops opened up (think trying to buy gas on Christmas Eve night). They rushed to the tomb and were surprised to find it opened and empty. Mary began to cry but was surprised to hear a voice interacting with her.

One of the surprising aspects after His resurrection to me is how many don’t recognize Him! I wonder if He was already somewhat radiant or if they just didn’t believe He’d come back to life. Either way, Mary is the first to see Him and then He starts making the rounds to the other disciples. Thomas doubts but is found trusting just at the sight of Him.

I love John 20:31 – the book was written to show the world Jesus! The world must know about Him and this amazing story!

Read John 18 if you haven’t yet.

Pilate had Jesus flogged and then a crown of thorns was placed on his head and a purple robe was placed on his shredded body. This would have been to mock his kingship claim and to attempt to satiate the murderous masses. Yet they wanted Jesus more than flogged, they wanted Him executed and they asked for this. All the while, the crowd was gathering and began to contain some of Jesus’ disciples (beyond the 11). The Pharisees, hardly a friend to Caesar began to use the name of Caesar to coax Pilate into not giving Jesus any pardon. Jesus then would have been outfitted with a cross beam (at a minimum) and given an hour to march in order to allow officials to hear any claim for wrongful sentencing. It was during this hour that Jesus stumbled and Simon took over for a little while. Jesus then was taken to Golgotha, stretched out and crucified. His body was already weak and near death, yet He survived a few more hours on the cross.

Upon His death, the skies grew dark and the temple curtain tore (on Passover, no less!) while an earthquake rumbled and dead rolled out of their graves. It was as if His creation was angered by His death. After His side was pierced (proving His death) and having water and blood leave His side (further proving His death), Jesus was taken down by Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus and placed into a tomb.

Here are some of the details of this final night. Some of these are in the text, others are just a logical consideration of the events as we have them. If anything is purely conjecture, I will clearly state so. Walk with me through Jesus’ last hours (as given in John 18).

Jesus left Jerusalem and crossed the Kidron to the place of pressing. Here is where olives are pressed to create olive oil. There are three phases to pressing oil and it is not coincidental that Jesus takes three prayer time breaks to wake the disciples up! As He was praying, which was later at night, there would have been some gathering torches at the end of the valley by the pool of Siloam. After Judas left the supper, he went to the high priest and sold Jesus out. After selling Jesus out, he waited for things to get in place. The high priest then likely called the Sanhedrin together (who would have been staying nearby) and decided to in fact move forward with the execution. At this point, Caiaphas, the high priest, would go to get the governor involved and get some Roman troops for the arrest. This would take time. The night is rolling along at this point. Judas is still waiting. While all this is happening, Jesus is praying with the eleven others in Gethsemane (place of pressing).

The crowd of soldiers and disciples would have then gathered at the gate and headed to arrest Jesus, expecting a fight. Jesus not only does not fight, but gives Himself up and even heals the servant, Malchus, that Peter cuts. While this is happening, Caiaphas and the rest of the Sanhedrin are preparing for trial.

When Jesus arrived, Annas deals with Him first and then the Sanhedrin starts the mockery of a trial. Jesus is mocked, beaten and mistreated by them and then found guilty for blasphemy. This guilty verdict would lead to death. They think they have won. Caiaphas questions Him and confirms the verdict. Caiaphas was preparing for the Passover event and would likely have been seeking ceremonial cleanliness (why the guard hits Jesus and not Caiaphas himself). Pilate is then informed in the morning to make a decision and falters with the verdict. He has Jesus beaten and hopes that is enough. While all this is happening, Peter is denying Jesus three times in the courtyard. John is somehow in the courtyard and gets Peter in. This has led many to believe that this is because of some familial tie from James and John to Caiaphas or that they were in the priestly order.

Jesus then ends this monologue with a series of prayers.

He starts by asking the Father to glorify Him. He has honored the Father with His life and way. Now in the last moments, He was ready to see the plan through to completion.

Then He prays for the disciples. Notice how He knows the task is complete. He taught them, loved them, guided them and prepared them. They are ready! This should give us some pause about our own discipleship. Are you being taught, loved, guided and prepared? Can you handle all that will come your way? Who is your ultimate source and identity? I believe that a good church is one that points you to Jesus. Not to be more like “them,” but like Jesus.

Finally, Jesus prays for those that are coming after the disciples. We are those people! Jesus prayed for us at the end of this prayer. This is incredible and seems ridiculous. However, it shows that Jesus knew what He was doing. He was saving the world. He truly is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!

John 13-17 is one event. Remember that reading chapter by chapter doesn’t always help us out. John 16 intends to focus on on eternal things and not the things of the world. Jesus shows us what love looks like in John 13. He then tells us that our future in secure in Him in John 14. John 15 reminded us that we must remain in Him to hope we can do anything for God’s glory. Yet the world won’t like us.

John 16 tells us how we will persevere even after He leaves (which has been the past 1980 years or so). He will send the Spirit to help us out! The Spirit will convict and lead us to do the will of God. The Holy Spirit helps us to remain in Jesus and then gives us hope to face the challenge of being the church in today’s world.

Finally, Jesus tells us that He has overcome the world and will give us all we need to take heart and handle all that comes our way. Many say that “God will never give us more than we can handle.” This simply isn’t true. This life is too much to handle all the time. But if we remain in Him and let His Spirit lead us – we have what we need! He has overcome the world. Things won’t always be easy. Often this life is going to try to crush us. However, Jesus was crushed and won all victories. We can claim these and eagerly await Him to return.

We talked this passage through as a small group a few weeks ago. There are a few things to definitely notice concerning John 15.

First, note that Jesus is the source of all life, power and strength. We can do nothing apart from Him! He makes a number of statements like this throughout His ministry and this is verified by Paul’s experience (Ph 4:13). However, we sometimes treat this concept in this manner – “through Christ I can do anything – even be in the NBA!” as if Jesus will change our future in the way that suits us. I am not capable of being in the NBA. I am slow. I can’t jump. I can’t keep up with the other players. Jesus’ plan for my life is not to have me in the NBA. I am better used elsewhere – but only with His power as the source of what I am doing! I am a pastor, but I am nothing without Him!

Second, so I abide/remain/dwell in Him. I rest in Him and His promises for me and who I am in Him. I talk to Him. I read about Him. I am eager to see Him face to face. Are you?

Third, we often focus on the scary part – being thrown in the fire. We dwell on the concept as if to say, “am I doing enough?” But this misses the point! We never could do enough! Jesus is enough – so we dwell in Him and trust in Him. Otherwise we are useless to God’s plan and purposes. He then works in spite of us. I don’t want that!

Finally, realize that living this way leads to trouble. The world doesn’t like Jesus. It pushes against His teaching and ways. Don’t get too comfortable. Following Jesus often means that we are hated by the world. Stay focused and remember where you get your strength!

So much here! Many of us know and focus on verse 6, but consider v1-5! Jesus is preparing a place for us, one that we will join Him in one day! There is space for us!

Following chapter 13, we see what Love looks like – following Jesus’ commands! He shows His love for us by being a servant and dying for us, we show Him love by dying to Him and putting Him first.

Also, He promises us a helper who will come and help us to accomplish this. The Spirit will convict and lead us to do His will. We follow Him because He is worthy and follow Him only in His power and by His Spirit!