Prologue: The First Passover

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It happened in the time of Moses.

As God prepared to send the tenth and final plague upon Egypt, He instructed Moses to tell the Israelites to choose a lamb for sacrifice, a lamb without defect, one for each household. They were to take some of the blood and smear it on the two doorposts and the lintel of their houses.

“On that night I will pass through the land of Egypt and strike down every firstborn, both man and beast, in the land of Egypt. I will execute judgment against all the gods of Egypt, for I am the Lord! But the blood on your doorposts will serve as a sign, marking the houses where you are staying. When I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague of death will not touch you when I strike the land of Egypt. This is a day to remember. Each year, from generation to generation, you must celebrate it as a special festival to the Lord. This is a law for all time.” (Exodus 12: 12-14)

God’s judgment would pass through the land indiscriminately; every family subject to God’s wrath, even the Israelites. Their only hope for salvation was to take shelter under God’s sacrificial provision.

A lamb had to be slain.

A lamb without spot or blemish — slaughtered as a substitute for a sinner.

All throughout Egypt there would be either a dead lamb or a dead son. Those who marked their doorways with the blood of a lamb as an act of faith received forgiveness, and the angel of death “passed over” them. But those who did not, saw death come to their home.

Since then, God’s people commemorate the Passover. It is a law for all generations.

Station 1: Jesus Celebrates Passover
The Last Supper

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As they were eating, He took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is My body.” And He took a cup, and when He had given thanks He gave it to them, and they all drank of it. And He said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. Truly, I say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” (Mark 14:22-25)

REFLECT

When Jesus stood up to bless the food, He held up bread. All Passover meals had bread. He blessed the wine—all Passover meals had wine. But not one of the Gospels mentions the main course… What kind of Passover would be celebrated without lamb?

There was no lamb on the table because the Lamb of God was at the table.

Jesus was the main course…

In Mark, when Jesus says, “This is my body… This is my blood… poured out,” he means: I am the One that the prophets spoke about. I am the Lamb of God to which all the other lambs pointed, the Lamb that takes away the sin of the world.

(from Timothy Keller’s Jesus the King, p. 182-183)

RESPOND

As you continue on the path that Jesus took to Calvary prepare your heart to grasp the awesome depth of His love for you.

Station 2: Jesus Prays

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After the Passover meal, Jesus and His disciples walked to the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus knew the dismal fate that awaited Him and was filled with sorrow and deep despair.

He told His disciples,

“Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” (Luke 22:40)

But they fell asleep.

It was a moment of desperation for Jesus. He fell on His face and prayed.

“Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from Me. Nevertheless, not My will, but Yours, be done.” (Luke 22:42)

And His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. (Luke 22:44)

REFLECT

In the end, Jesus submitted to His Father. He obeyed. He took the cup. And He drank every single drop. He did it for you.

Imagine yourself that night in the garden with Jesus. He asked you to watch and pray. But what did you do? You slept and then you fled.

Think about the last time you felt fearful and alone. Did you fall on your knees to pray? Did you trust your pain to your heavenly Father?

How do we pray? When we pray it is always about us. We pray for what we want. We do not care that God wants the best for us. We want Him to see it our way. We want to control those around us, even God. And then we defy Him. We do it our way.

Still, He loves us.

RESPOND

Pray: Jesus, thank you for drinking the cup. Thank you for not giving up on me. Lord, I am afraid. The world has gone dark and dangerous. Evil and disease is all around me. I cannot make it alone. I need you Lord. Give me the strength to endure. Give me the wisdom to do what is right in Your eyes. Strengthen my faith. Teach me to trust in Your goodness and mercy. Amen.

Station 3: Jesus is Betrayed

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Jesus said to Judas, “Friend, do what you came to do.” Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized Him. (Matthew 26:50)

REFLECT

The worst thing about betrayal is that it is done by someone close to you. Have you ever been betrayed? What do you do when betrayal comes?

Judas—a name synonymous with traitor. He was the scoundrel of the scriptures, history’s most notorious villain—who betrayed the Son of God for thirty pieces of silver. He was a disciple. Entrusted with the moneybag. He walked, talked, and ate with Jesus, day after day, for three years.

But one night, accompanied by a huge regiment of soldiers, Judas Iscariot approached Jesus and betrayed Him with a kiss.

Later, overcome with regret, Judas attempted to return the money to his fellow conspirators; as though doing so could erase his guilt.

The chief priests rejected Judas’ offer. They considered it blood money. And indeed it was, stained and marked with the blood of the Lamb.

Instead, two men died on trees that day. Judas took his own life, and Jesus gave His life as a ransom for many.

Jesus knew full well that Judas was a traitor. Yet he never mistreated him. Never gossiped about him. He still washed his feet. He still invited him to supper. He called him “friend.” He treated the betrayer as if he were faithful.

Jesus extends this same amazing grace to each one of us; and yet we betray him time and time again.

RESPOND

Think of the person who has hurt you the most, whose betrayal you have refused to forgive. Take a piece of paper and write that person’s name on it. From the cross Jesus asked His Father to forgive his executioners. Can you forgive?

Pray: Jesus, I ask you today to take away the anger and resentment that I have carried in my heart against (name of the person who has betrayed you). Help me walk in love, just as You loved and gave Yourself up for me. Help me forgive, just as You have forgiven me. Help me not hold any grudges against this person for another minute. Thank you Jesus that you give me your peace. Amen.

(Now tear up the piece of paper where you have written the name and throw it away.)

Station 4: Jesus is Denied

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As Peter watched from a distance, they asked him if he knew Jesus.

But Peter said, “Man I do not know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while Peter was still speaking, the rooster crowed. And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how He had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly. (Luke 22:60-62)

REFLECT

What do you do when the horror of past failures haunts you?

Peter’s crime was as dreadful as Judas’ treachery. His cowardly claims about not knowing Jesus were as bold a betrayal as Judas’ kiss. Both their actions led to unbearable guilt.

But Peter realized his sin when the rooster crowed. He remembered what Jesus said. And he was filled with sorrow.

In the garden, when their eyes locked, Judas responded to Jesus with the most diabolical kind of hypocrisy—a kiss. But in the courtyard, when Jesus looked into Peter’s eyes, Peter broke down in tears.

Judas felt a desperate regret and killed himself. Peter was filled with remorse and repented. His courage failed. But his faith did not. Peter believed in Jesus and was restored.

In our lives, what you and I do with Jesus makes all the difference.

RESPOND

Now, think of a person you have hurt, someone you have failed, big time. Have you not betrayed someone too? Do you feel that there is no hope for you? Take heart. Ask God for forgiveness. Just like He forgave Peter, He will forgive you.

Pray: Jesus, You know precisely and intimately all the dimensions of my sinful heart. There is nothing I can hide from You. But I thank You that my sin, no matter how ugly, is no match for Your grace. Thank You Jesus for convicting me without condemning me. I know that You resist the proud, but give grace to the humble—and the last thing I want is to experience Your resistance. So I humble myself before You today. Forgive me, Lord.

Please grant me the kindness, humility, and courage to ask for forgiveness from (name the person you have hurt). Help me do everything I need to do to make things right with him/her. Teach me Lord how to love like you love, without conditions or reservations, so that You may be glorified. Amen.

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