Today’s selected reading continues in the New Testament gospel narrative of the life and ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ as it was written and recorded by the beloved physician Luke. More specifically today’s passage is found in verses fifty-four through seventy-one of the twenty-second chapter of this New Testament book. “Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest’s house. And Peter followed afar off. And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him. And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not. And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man I am not. And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilaean. And Peter said, man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew. And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And Peter went out, and wept bitterly” (Luke 22:54-62). “And the men that held Jesus mocked him, and smote him. And when they had blindfolded him, they struck him on the face, and asked him, saying, Propohesy, who is it that smote thee? And many other things blasphemously spake they against him. And as soon as it was day, the elders of the people and the chief priests and the scribes came together, and led him into their council, saying, Art thou the Christ? Tell us. And he said unto them, If I tell you, ye will not believe: And if I also ask you, ye will not answer me, nor let me go. Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God. Then said they all, Art thou then the Son of God? And he said unto them, Ye say that I am. And they said, What need we any further witness? For we ourselves have heard of his own mouth” (Luke 22:63-71). THEN THEY TOOK HIM! THEN THEY LED HIM! THEN THEY BROUGHT HIM! When you come to this particular portion of the twenty-second chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by Luke you will find that at this point of the evening Judas’ betrayal was complete. Judas Iscariot who was numbered among the twelve disciples had secretly and quietly conspired together with the chief priests and the scribes to betray Jesus into their hands absent the multitude and apart from the crowd. If you take the time to read the beginning and opening portion of this chapter you will find that about the time of the feast of unleavened bread the chief priests and the scribes conspired together how they might seize the Lord Jesus Christ that they might put Him to death and destroy Him from among them. When you read the opening verses of this particular chapter—if you had not read the previous gospels which were written by the apostle Matthew and John Mark—you would think that the scribes and the chief priests were merely conspiring once more to seize the Lord Jesus that they might destroy Him and put Him to death. With this being said, however, there was something different about this particular time they met in secret and in the shadows. Upon reading the words which are found in these verses you will be brought face to face with the fact that at this particular time—not only was one of Jesus’ own disciples willing to betray Him into their hands but so also was the divine hand of the living God temporarily lifted and removed from the life of His Son. It would be at this particular point when we read that Judas conspired together with the chief priests and the scribes that he might betray the eternal and only begotten Son of the living God. What makes this all the more intriguing when you take the time to think about and consider it is when you recognize that when it was previously not the time for the Lord Jesus to suffer in the flesh and to be crucified upon the cruel Roman tree that was not the case here. There is absolutely no mistake about it when reading the words found in this passage of Scripture that what the apostle John referred to as “his time” and “his hour” had not yet come had now come to pass and now to fulfillment. As you read the words which are found in the opening verses of this particular section you will find the beloved physician Luke writing how they—meaning the captains and the guards whom Judas led into the garden of Gethsemane—took the Lord Jesus and led Him and brought Him to the high priest’s house. Oh there is something about this which I can’t help but think about for I am convinced it shines a tremendous amount of light on to what we find and read in this particular portion of Scripture. At this point during the night Judas had already led the small insurgent and insurrection into the midst of the garden of Gethsemane where the Lord Jesus was found together with His disciples. What’s more is that I can’t help but wonder if when Judas led this insurgent and contingent of guards and soldiers into the garden if he did not lead them straight past sleeping disciples. I am sure there was more than one way into the garden where Jesus was together with His disciples and there is a part of me that can’t help but wonder if Judas led this insurgent and insurrection of captains and guards into the garden through a different way than that which Jesus and His disciples entered. We know that when Jesus brought His disciples to the garden He would leave eight of them near the entrance of the garden while He would take the disciples Peter, James and John together with Him deeper into the garden. It would be there in the midst of the depths of the garden Jesus would instruct those three disciples whom He had brought with Him to watch and pray lest they enter into temptation. If you read the words which are found in this chapter beginning with the thirty-ninth verse you will find Jesus came out and went as He wont to the mount of Olives and was followed by His disciples. The beloved physician Luke writes of “the place” He spoke unto His disciples and instructed them to “Pray that ye enter not into temptation.” We know from Scripture in the other three gospel narratives that the place which the beloved physician Luke wrote about was not only the garden of Gethsemane but was also that place within the garden where He was to pray before and unto His Father. In all reality I can’t help but wonder if Jesus had not only entered into the garden of Gethsemane previously but also whether or not this place where he would fall down upon His knees and face that He might pray before the Father was one which He had been to previously. Was this place within the garden of Gethsemane a popular and familiar place to Jesus and His disciples where He would lead them in those quiet and solitary times of prayer, rest, fellowship and communion together with the Father. The beloved physician Luke writes and speaks of “at the place” and I can’t help but wonder if there was a specific place within the garden which was a regular place where the Lord Jesus had previously brought His disciples that He might come apart with them and rest. Oh there is not a doubt in my mind that this garden was a place Jesus had brought the disciples for there is no other way Judas would have known where to lead this insurgent and insurrection of guards and captains on this fateful night. We must needs recognize and understand that on this particular night the Lord Jesus would indeed lead His disciples unto the garden and would leave eight of the disciples closer towards the entrance of the garden while He Himself would take the disciples Peter, James and John together with Him deeper into the garden. It would be there in the depths of the garden the Lord Jesus would commune together with His Father concerning the cup which was present before Him. The Lord Jesus knew and was well aware of the fact that His hour and His time had come. Jesus was well aware of the fact that His hour and His time had come for Him to not only suffer in the flesh and be crucified but also return unto His Father which was in heaven. Oh consider if you will the following words which are found in the opening verses of the thirteenth chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle John beginning with the first and opening verse: “Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him; Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that He was come from God, and went to God; He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poured water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. Jesus saith to him, He that is washed need with not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean” (John 13:1-11). WHEN JESUS KNEW THAT HIS HOUR WAS COME THAT HE SHOULD DEPART OUT OF THIS WORLD UNTO THE FATHER! HAVING LOVED HIS OWN WHICH WERE IN THE WORLD! HE LOVED THEM UNTO THE END! JESUS KNOWING THAT THE FATHER HAD GIVEN ALL THINGS INTO HIS HANDS! AND THAT HE WAS COME FROM GOD AND WENT TO GOD! Oh how absolutely incredible these words truly are for they reveal something which the Lord Jesus knew at this particular time—something which was entirely and altogether different from the days during the previous three and a half years. The apostle John made it very clear that Jesus knew that his hour was come—and not only that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father but Jesus also knew that the Father had given all things into His hands. Moreover the Lord Jesus also knew that He was come from God and went to God—something which would not and could not change. Jesus had heard at the Jordan River—after the heavens were opened before and unto Him and after the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in the bodily form of a dove—that He was the beloved Son of the Father in whom He was well pleased. Not only this but upon the mount of transfiguration—in the midst of the cloud that overshadowed Jesus and His three disciples Peter, James and his brother John—Jesus would once more hear the voice of the Father declare and profess that He was His beloved Son. Twice during those three and a half years of Jesus’ public ministry the voice of the Father not only affirmed but also professed and proclaimed that He was His beloved Son—once making the declaration that He was well pleased with Him and another giving the instruction to hear Him. Oh this is something we must needs recognize and understand for when we come to the thirteenth chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle John we find that Jesus knew that His hour was come that He should depart out of this world unto the Father. Jesus also knew that the Father had given all things into his hands and that He was both come from God and went to God. I am absolutely convinced it is necessary for us to pay attention to the words which are written and recorded in this particular section of the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle John for when Jesus entered into the garden together with His disciples He knew that His hour was come that He should depart out of this world unto the Father. With this being said, however, we must needs recognize that directly linked to and associated with Jesus knowing that His hour was come he should depart out of this world unto the Father was the knowledge the the way to the Father would be through suffering in the flesh. If there is one thing we must needs recognize when reading these words it’s that the hour had indeed come that Jesus should depart out of this world unto the Father, however, Jesus also knew that the way and the path unto the Father would not come through ascension alone but would come through suffering in the flesh. What’s more is that the path to the Father would lead directly and straight through Calvary and the place of the skull as the Lord Jesus would indeed be nailed to and crucified upon a cruel Roman tree between two thieves and before many who would scoff and mock Him. Within chapters thirteen through sixteen of this New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle John Jesus would indeed speak unto and teach His disciples how that He must needs return unto the Father from whom He had come and was manifested in the midst of the earth. Oh that we would recognize and pay close attention to this for if you take the time to read the Scripture you will find that Jesus began to teach and show His disciples those things which He must needs suffer in the flesh before ultimately being killed and crucified. Consider if you will the following words which are written and recorded in the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle Matthew beginning within the sixteenth chapter: “From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto His disciples how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: This shall not be unto thee. But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offended unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men. Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of man shall come in the glory of His Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. Verily I say not you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom” (Matthew 16:21-28). “And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead. And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias must first come? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things. But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them. Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist” (Matthew 17:9-13). “And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men: And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again. And they were exceeding sorry” (Matthew 17:22-23). “And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again” (Matthew 20:17-19). “And came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said unto his disciples, Ye know that after two days is the feast of the Passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified” (Matthew 26:1-2). Within these passages of Scripture we encounter and are brought face to face with the absolutely wonderful and incredible truth surrounding the Lord Jesus teaching and showing His disciples those things which He must needs suffer in the flesh. Jesus knew that He would be betrayed into the hands of religious men—and not only that He would be betrayed into the hands of religious men but also into the hands of sinful men. It’s actually quite remarkable when you read the words which are found in these passages of Scripture that Jesus was betrayed into the hands of religious men and it would be religious men who would deliver Him up into the hands of sinful men. It would be Judas Iscariot who was one of Jesus’ own disciples who would betray Him into the hands of the religious leaders on this incredibly fateful night and it would be Judas Iscariot who would indeed betray Him into the hands of His enemies. What makes this all the more intriguing when you take the time to think about and consider it is that Judas would indeed betray the Lord Jesus into the hands of His enemies and adversaries who were indeed the religious leaders which were present during those days. Oh there is something truly captivating and astounding when you take the time to think about and consider this for Jesus knew that He would be betrayed by one of His own and even spoke of and declared this at the table on this particular night when He would partake of the Passover meal together with His disciples. The apostle Matthew writes and records how Jesus would begin teaching and showing unto His disciples how He must needs be betrayed into the hands of religious men and be delivered into the hands of sinful men while suffering in the flesh at the hands of both. Jesus would both teach and show His disciples those things which He must needs suffer in the flesh—both at the hands of the religious leaders as well as at the hands of sinful men—before ultimately being put to death and being crucified. It is with this being said we must also recognize and understand that the Lord Jesus also knew that He was going to be betrayed by one of His own into the hands of the chief priests, the scribes and the elders of the people. Consider if you will the following words which are found in each of the gospels concerning the words Jesus spoke concerning that one among the disciples who would indeed betray Him on that night: “Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve. And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it i? And he answered and said, He that dippers his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me. The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! It had been good for that man if he had not been born. Then. Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said” (Matthew 26:20-25). “And in the evening he cometh with the twelve. And as they sat and did eat, Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, One of you which eateth with me shall betray me. And they began to be sorrowful, and to say unto him one by one, Is it I? And another said, Is it I? And he answered and said unto them, It is one of the twelve, that dippeth with me in the dish. The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! Good were it for that man if he had never been born” (Mark 14:17-21). “But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table. And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed! And they began to inquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing” (Luke 22:21-23). “When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake. Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved. Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom He spake. He then lying on Jesus’ breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it? Jesus answered, he it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly. Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him. For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, But those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor. He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night” (John 13:21-30). Thus far we have witnessed and observed how Jesus began to teach and to show unto His disciples how He must needs be betrayed into the hands of religious men before ultimately being delivered up into the hands of sinful men. Within the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle Matthew we are indeed brought face to face with the fact that Jesus knew that He would indeed be betrayed by one of His own and that He must needs suffer many things at the hands of the chief priests, the scribes and the elders of the people. Oh we dare not and must not miss and lose sight of this for it calls and draws our attention to the incredible truth that Jesus not only knew that His hour had come that He would return unto the Father but He also knew that the time had come for Him to be betrayed, for Him to suffer in the flesh and for Him to ultimately be killed and crucified. Immediately after the encounter in the coasts of Caesarea Philippi when the Lord Jesus asked the disciples whom they said that He the Son of man and Simon Peter responded by declaring that he was the Christ and the Son of the living God He would begin to teach and to show His disciples that He must needs be betrayed and suffer many things at the hands of the chief priests, the scribes and the elders of the people before He would be killed and crucified. Oh how absolutely incredible this truly is when you take the time to think about it for when you read the New Testament gospel you will find that what began in what might have been the coasts of Caesarea Philippi with the Lord Jesus teaching and showing His disciples those things which He must needs suffer in the flesh before ultimately being killed and crucified would indeed continue through to the twenty-sixth chapter of this same gospel as Jesus would continue to teach and to show His disciples those things which he must needs suffer in the flesh before ultimately being crucified. I sit here today thinking about and considering the tremendous language that is found within the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle Matthew and I can’t help but be brought face to face with the incredibly awesome and powerful truth surrounding the Lord Jesus Christ and hIs understanding of those things which he must needs suffer in the flesh after being betrayed into the hands of religious men and the religious leaders of that day. You cannot read the words which are found in these passages of Scripture and not encounter the Lord Jesus teaching and showing His disciples how He must needs suffer many things at the hands of the chief priests, the scribes and the elders of the people as well as suffer many things at the hands of sinful men before ultimately being killed and crucified. What’s more is that when you read each of the four New Testament gospel narratives you will find that the Lord Jesus Christ also knew that one of His own disciples—one which was present among them at the table would betray Him. Each of the four gospel authors present the Lord Jesus speaking unto His disciples on this particular night and declaring unto them that one of them would betray Him on that night. What’s more is that as you read these four gospel narratives you get the sense that it might very well have been at least the twelve disciples at the table together with the Lord Jesus, however, it might be possible that there were more than just the twelve disciples which celebrated the Passover meal together with the Lord Jesus. Regardless of how many there might have been present together with the Lord Jesus at the table on this particular night we can be absolutely certain that Jesus knew it would be one of the twelve which would indeed betray Him. Not only this but it would be there at the table the Lord Jesus would indeed declare unto His disciples—even with Judas Iscariot himself sitting at the table together with them—that one of them would betray Him. Jesus knew that He would suffer many things at the hands of the chief priests, the scribes and the elders of the people, Jesus knew that He would suffer many things at the hands of sinful men and He also knew that He would be killed and crucified. With all of this being said it’s important for us to recognize and understand that in addition to Jesus knowing that His hour had come that He must return and go unto the Father which was in heaven He also taught and showed unto the disciples that He would indeed depart from this world and return unto the Father which was in heaven. It would be at the table on this particular night when Jesus would give indications that they would join Him in His Father’s house and within His Father’s kingdom where they would partake of the fruit of the vine together with Him. There at the last supper Jesus would teach and speak unto the disciples giving them the understanding that He would indeed depart from this world and would return unto His Father. There at the table the Lord Jesus would speak of the cup and the fruit of the vine as being a promise and a pledge of a future hope and expectation they would themselves experience in His Father’s house. The cup which Jesus would share and partake of together with His disciples would indeed be a cup which they would once again drink with Him when they were present together with Him in His Father’s house. Jesus knew and understood that the cup which He would share and partake of together with his disciples on this particular night would indeed be a pledge and a promise that they would be together with Him in His Father’s house and in His Father’s kingdom. Jesus earnestly and eagerly desired to celebrate the Passover meal together with His disciples for Hew knew and recognized the pledge and promise that would be directly associated with this supper. Jesus knew when He took the cup and raised it in the sight of His disciples that he would not drink again of the fruit of the vine until He drank it anew with them in His Father’s house and within His Father’s kingdom. The Lord Jesus recognized and was very much aware of the fact that the cup which He partook of together with His disciples on this particular night would indeed be a wonderful and beautiful symbol of a future hope that where He was together with his Father there they would also be—and not only they themselves but also us as the disciples and followers of His. Consider if you will the following words which are found in each of the gospels concerning this Passover meal which was celebrated together by Jesus and His twelve disciples: “And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the New Testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say unto you, I will not drink it henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom” (Matthew 26:26-29). “And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body. And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it. And he said unto them, This is my blood of the New Testament, which is shed for many. Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God” (Mark 14:22-25). “And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him. And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come. And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: This do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the New Testament in my blood, which is shed for you” (Luke 22:14-20). The apostle Matthew, John Mark and the beloved physician Luke each recorded the narrative of the Lord Jesus taking of the bread and of the cup and giving it unto His disciples as pledges, promises and symbols of a future hope and expectation they would have within their hearts and souls. The Lord Jesus took the cup and held it up before and in the sight of the disciples knowing that he would not drink of it again until He drank of it together with them in the kingdom and house of His Father. Jesus would also take the bread and before blessing and breaking it He would declare unto His disciples that He would not partake of it again until it was fulfilled in His Father’s kingdom. Oh there is something we must needs recognize and understand for when Jesus partook of the bread and the cup together with his disciples He knew that it was not only a celebration of the passover on that particular night but it would also have directly connected to and associated with it a hope, an expectation, and an anticipation of that which would come in His Father’s house and kingdom. The Lord Jesus knew and understood that He would indeed partake of the cup which contained the fruit of the vine as well as the bread—the cup which represented His blood while the bread would represent His body—were wonderful and powerful symbols of a future hope and expectation that would be present within the hearts and lives of the disciples as they would indeed be those who would partake of it again together with the Lord Jesus in His Father’s house and within his Father’s kingdom. Oh what we must needs acknowledge when reading these passages of Scripture it’s that the taking and giving of the cup and the bread at the Passover meal on this particular night would indeed be the promise of a future hope and expectation of drinking of the cup and partaking of the bread once more in the Father’s kingdom when all would be fulfilled. Oh with this in mind I invite you to consider the following words which are found in the eleventh chapter of the first epistle written by the apostle Paul unto the Corinthian saints beginning with the seventeenth verse: “Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you. Not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse. For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you. When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord’s supper. For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken. What? Have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? Or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you in this? I Praise you not. For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the New Testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come. Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another. And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come” (1 Corinthians 11:17-34). The more I think about and consider the words which are found in the New Testament gospel narratives written by the apostle Matthew, John Mark, and the beloved physician Luke, as well as the words which are found in the first epistle written by the apostle Paul unto the Corinthian saints the more I am brought face to face with the awesome and incredible truth that when Jesus partook of the fruit of the vine together with His disciples and when he partook of the bread which He blessed and brake and gave unto them He was giving them a promise, a pledge, a seal and a symbol of a future hope they would themselves have. Oh it was indeed true that on this particular night the Lord Jesus would celebrate the Passover meal together with the disciples and would partake of the cup containing the fruit of the vine as well as the bread—both which would not only be symbols of Himself but would also be pledges of a future hope and an expectation and anticipation they would have in the midst of the of the Father’s house and kingdom. What we must needs recognize and understand is that the cup and the bread were indeed powerful symbols and representations of the body and blood of the Lord, however, we must needs also understand that they were symbols of a future hope and expectation which the disciples would have. This expectation, this anticipation and this hope would indeed be such where the disciples would prepare themselves knowing that the time would come when they would be present together with the Lord Jesus in His Father’s house and in His Father’s kingdom. The disciples would partake of the bread and drink of the cup knowing that where the Lord Jesus was there they would be also—something which the Lord Jesus would express in great detail on this particular night. Oh it’s important to recognize and pay attention to the fact that on this particular night the Lord Jesus would indeed prepare and make ready His disciples for His departure from this world and His subsequent return unto the Father which was in heaven. If we truly wish to understand the time which the Lord Jesus shared together with His disciples on this particular night we must needs recognize that He prepared and made them ready for His departure from this world. It was indeed true that He had prepared and made them ready for His betrayal by one of their own, He had prepared and made them ready for His suffering at the hands of the chief priests, the scribes and elders of the people, he had prepared them for those things which He would suffer at the hands of sinful men, and He had prepared them for His ultimate death and crucifixion before being buried in the heart of the earth and being raised from death to life on the third day. With this being said we must also recognize and understand that Jesus prepared and made ready His disciples for His departure from this world and His subsequent return unto his Father which was in heaven. Jesus knew that the hour had come for Him to be glorified and for Him to return unto the right hand of His Father which was in heaven. The Lord Jesus knew that He was departing from this world and would return unto His Father which would be in heaven and would even prepare and make ready His disciples for this departure. In fact chapters thirteen through sixteen contain an incredible amount of language which was spoken by the Lord Jesus unto His disciples as He had prepared and made them ready for His departure from this world and His subsequent return unto the Father. With this being said we must needs understand that this departure from the world and return unto the Father would contain its own hope and expectation for not only would Jesus come again in like manner in which He would depart but He would go to prepare a place for His disciples and followers that where He was there they might be also. It’s in light of this I invite you to consider the following words which are found in these specific chapters in the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle John as well as the words which are found in the first and opening chapter of the New Testament book of Acts: “Therefore when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him. Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come: so now I say to you. A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that y e are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:31-35). “Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards. Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake. Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice” (John 13:36-38). “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way he know” (John 14:1-4). “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in myth name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it” (John 14:12-14). “If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you” (John 14:15-18). “Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me” (John 14:23-24). “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe. Hereafter I will not talk much more with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me. But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment even so I do. Arise, let us go hence” (John 14:27-31). “But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou? But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart. Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you” (John 16:5-7). “I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you. A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father” (John 16:12-16). “Then said some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and. Ye shall see me: and, because I go to the Father? They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while? We cannot tell what he saith. Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye inquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me? Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice., and your joy no man taketh from you. And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in probers, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father. At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you: For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God. I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father” (John 16:17-28). “The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: to whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven” (Acts 1:1-11). It is with these words where we not only undo verses the Lord Jesus knowing the time and hour had come for Him to ascend unto the right hand of the Father and return to the place of glory which He held before time began but also where we find the fulfillment of that which He had spoken. In fact it is in the final verses of the final chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by John Mark we read of the Lord Jesus ascending from the mount of Olives where He was together with His disciples and followers and sat down at the right hand of the Father. Within and throughout the New Testament you will find one of the recurring themes is the ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ—and not only the ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ but also sitting down at the right hand of the Father. You cannot read the New Testament without and apart from the understanding that the Lord Jesus did indeed and did in fact ascend unto the right hand of the Father which was in heaven and sat down at the right hand of the Father. It is there from the right hand of the Father where Jesus would prepare a place for us that where He and the Father are there we might be also. Oh how absolutely incredible and beautiful it is to read the words which the Lord spoke unto His disciples as was recorded by the apostle John in chapters thirteen through sixteen for within these chapters we find the Lord Jesus speaking of His departure from this earth and subsequent return unto the right hand of the Father. The Lord Jesus would teach and show unto His disciples that he would indeed depart from this world and return unto His Father which was in heaven where He was before he laid aside the glory He had from beginning. It would be at the last supper when Jesus celebrated the Passover together with his disciples He would prepare them for His departure from this world and return unto the right hand of the Father which was in heaven. The more I read the words which are found in the four gospel narratives concerning the last supper which the Lord celebrated together the more I am brought face to face with that which the Lord Jesus knew coming to this particular hour. From the time the Lord Jesus would ask the disciples who they said that He the Son of man was and would respond to Simon Peter’s declaration that He was the Christ and the Son of the living God the Lord would begin to teach and show His disciples those things which He must suffer at the hands of both religious and sinful men. The Lord Jesus knew that the hour had come for Him to return unto the Father and to take up the glory which he had laid aside and set down to take on the form of human flesh. With that being said, however, we must needs recognize that the path to the Father would not lead around Calvary and the cross but would lead straight through the cross. There would be those among us who would like to think the path to the Father somehow leads around the cross and somehow leads around suffering, affliction, trials, troubles and tribulation and yet the truth of the matter is the apostle Paul emphatically declared that we must through many trials and afflictions enter into the kingdom of God. Not only this but when responding to the words which Simon Peter spoke concerning leaving and forsaking all and asking what they would gain in this life the Lord would speak unto them concerning receiving manifold more in this life and in the next with persecutions and sufferings. It was the Lord Jesus who would declare that in this world we would face many trials and troubles but to not fear or be overwhelmed or overtaken for He had overcome the world. It was the apostle Peter who admonished the scattered and suffering saints who were suffering to not be surprised nor taken back by the sufferings which they would experience in this world as though some strange thing happened to them and it was James who would also speak of the same trials and troubles which were to test the disciples and followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. There is a great need for us to recognize and understand that when Jesus took upon Himself the form of flesh and blood He did so that He might suffer in the flesh—and not only that He might suffer in the flesh but also that He might be put to death and His body be buried in a tomb until the appointed time when He would be raised from death to life on the third day. It would be at this particular time the Lord Jesus would know and recognize that the hour had come for Him to return unto the right hand of the Father and to take up the glory He had with Him from before time and before the world began. With this being said, however, it is absolutely necessary for us to recognize that the Lord Jesus Christ would indeed know and understand that the path to the Father would indeed lead directly through suffering, would lead through the hands of religious men, would lead through the hands of sinful men and would even lead through the cross itself. Pause for a moment and consider how absolutely tremendous this truly is for the path to the Father—even returning unto the Father—would not lead around the suffering nor would it lead around the cross but would lead Jesus directly and straight through it. Pause for a moment and consider the fact that Jesus was indeed the eternal and only begotten Son of the Father who was beloved of Him and yet that wasn’t enough for Him to return unto the Father. Although the Lord Jesus was indeed the eternal and only begotten Son of the Father the way back to the Father was directly through the suffering and directly through the death upon the cross. This is something which must needs be understood by us for if the servant is not above the master and the disciple is not above the teacher then if the path of Jesus to the Father would lead through the suffering and through the cross then we ourselves must understand that the path to the Father can and will lead us through suffering, through affliction, through hardships, through trials, through troubles and tribulations and even through persecution. We dare not and must not miss and lose sight of this for there would be at least two times recorded in the gospels when the Lord Jesus would declare unto His disciples that if any man wished to come after and follow Him they must first deny themselves and take up their cross. What’s more is the Lord would also declare unto His disciples that anyone who did not take up their cross and come after and following Him would not be worthy to be His disciple: “Think now that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loveth his life for my sake shall find it” (Matthew 10:34-39). “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of man shall come in the glory of His Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom” (Matthew 16:24-28). If there is one thing we must needs recognize and understand it’s that when Jesus knew that His hour had come for Him to return unto the Father which was in heaven he also knew that the way to the Father would lead Him straight through the cross and straight through the suffering. Jesus knew and understood the hour had come for Him to depart from this world and yet before He could experience ascension He needed to experience resurrection. What’s more is that before He could experience resurrection He needed to experience death; and before death He needed to experience suffering. As if this weren’t enough before suffering He would need to experience betrayal; and before betrayal He would need to experience the agony in the garden. FROM AGONY TO BETRAYAL! FROM BETRAYAL TO SUFFERING! FROM SUFFERING TO DEATH! FROM DEATH TO BURIAL! FROM BURIAL TO RESURRECTION! FROM RESURRECTION TO ASCENSION! Oh that we would truly pay attention to the reality that is found within the gospel narratives—and not only the gospel narratives but also the words which are found in the epistles and writings of the early church authors we find that the path to the ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ unto the right hand of the Father would indeed lead straight through the suffering and straight through the cross. There was absolutely no way around the suffering and it would be the suffering itself that would indeed lead directly to the cross as the ultimate manifestation of the suffering. I have previously written that it would be the suffering of the Lord Jesus which He would endure at the hands of both religious and sinful men that would position Him for the cross. Oh it would have been very easy for the Father to allow the Son to experience death in the flesh without and apart from suffering and even allowed it to be painless, however, this was not the way that it was intended on being. The Son would indeed experience death and would feel every ounce of pain and agony that would be directly associated with that, however, even before the pressure and pain of those nails being driven through His wrists and ankles He would experience every ounce of the pain that was directly associated with the suffering. I find it absolutely incredible to read the words which are found in the four gospels and New Testament epistles for Jesus would indeed take upon Himself the form of human flesh and blood for the purpose of suffering and dying. What we must recognize and understand is that before Jesus would and could be nailed to and die upon the cross He would first experience and walk through the suffering at the hands of religious men and sinful men. The suffering the Lord Jesus would experience would first be felt in the presence of religious men as they would spit upon Him, slap and punch Him and mock and ridicule Him. Once in the presence of sinful men the Lord Jesus would experience suffering on an even greater measure as He would not only have a crown of thorns placed upon His head but he would also be scourged with a whip laced with chips of bone and shards of glass. It would be there in the Praetorium the Lord Jesus Christ would indeed experience every ounce of the pain that came with the suffering before he would even face the cross and before He would even face the nails. If you read the four gospel narratives you will find that before Jesus would even be nailed to the cross he would have to carry that cross along the Via Dolorosa to the place of the skull where He would ultimately be killed and crucified. Oh what we must needs recognize concerning the Lord Jesus is that he would indeed and would in fact experience every ounce of suffering prior to actually take up the cross He was forced to carry and would ultimately be nailed to. This is something we have a great need to recognize and pay close attention to for although Jesus knew that He would return to the Father that path to the Father would indeed lead directly through the suffering and ultimately through the cross itself. The Lord Jesus would experience the full force and weight of every punch, ever slap and every blow that would come upon His face and head before He would ultimately experience the pain and agony of the crown of thorns which would be placed upon His brow. If there is one thing we must needs recognize and understand when we read the words of Jesus being taken, Jesus being led and Jesus being brought it’s that all of this would lead Him to the place of suffering. The path to the Father would lead straight through Calvary and the place of the skull and there would be absolutely no way around nor would there be any way of avoiding it. Jesus would indeed return unto the Father where He was before He laid down His glory to take up the form of flesh and blood and that path to the Father would bring Him directly through the suffering and directly through the cross. Jesus would and could not return unto the right hand of the Father without and apart from walking through the suffering He would experience in the flesh. Moreover Jesus would not be able to come unto the Father except through suffering and except through death upon the cross. This is something which warrants strong consideration on our part for it brings us face to face with the tremendous reality of our own lives and how the path to the Father does not always lead around the suffering and around the cross but directly through it. Despite the attempts many make to approach the Father by somehow dodging and going around the suffering they find themselves inevitably and invariably walking through that which they had not anticipated nor expected. In fact this is precisely what makes the words which were spoken by the Lord Jesus unto the apostle Peter in the final chapters of the gospel narrative written by the apostle John so incredibly significant. It would be here in this particular passage of Scripture where the Lord would declare unto Simon that there would come a time when men would take him to a place he did not want to go and would lead him to a place he would not otherwise pursue himself. That which the Lord was declaring unto Simon Peter was that his own path to the Father and His own path to the One he had walked with and followed for three and a half years would indeed lead directly through suffering and directly through death itself—and not only death but also death as a martyr. Despite the fact this disciple of the Lord Jesus would indeed deny knowing the Lord three different times during the same evening He would be restored and converted in the presence of the Lord Jesus. What’s more is that not only would He be restored and converted but He would also be informed of the path which he would walk which would lead directly through suffering. Oh consider if you will the following words which are found in the following passages of Scripture—not only concerning the suffering and death Simon would experience but also the opposition he would face from the enemy and how it would directly relate to the suffering you and I can and will experience as the saints of God and followers of the Lord Jesus Christ: “And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death. And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before. That thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me” (Luke 21:31-34). “So, when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdest thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me. Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved followeding; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? Follow thou me. Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?” (John 21:15-23). “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murder, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as a unto a faithful Creator” (1 Peter 4:12-19). “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he care that for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about seeking whom he may devour: whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen” (1 Peter 5:6-11). “Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth. Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me” (2 Peter 1:12-14). In bringing this to a close I find it absolutely necessary to call your attention to the undeniable truth that when we speak of Jesus’ return to the Father we must recognize that the path to the Father would indeed lead Him directly through the path of suffering. With this being said we must also understand that Jesus’ return to the Father would lead straight through Calvary and that He could not return to the Father without and apart from the suffering and the cross. Stop and think about the fact that when Jesus took upon Himself the form of flesh and blood He knew and understood that He would need to suffer in the flesh and ultimately die. When the time came for Him to return unto the Father he recognized and understood that the only way for Him to return to the Father was through the suffering and through the cross. This is something we dare not and must not lose sight of when reading through the gospels and the epistles for within them we encounter the sobering and challenging truth that more often than not our own route and journey to the Father must needs lead us directly through the suffering instead of around and past it. Despite the many attempts men and women make to try and live their lives absent and apart from suffering there are many who fail to recognize that the only way to the Father is directly through suffering, directly through pain, directly through affliction, directly through adversity and even through persecution and tribulations. Perhaps the greatest question we must ask ourselves is whether or not we are those who can and will deny ourselves and take up our cross that we might come after and follow the Lord Jesus. Are we willing to—for the joy that is set before us—endure the suffering, the affliction, the tribulation, the persecution, the trials and the adversity that we might lay hold of the promise of the Father in the person of Jesus Christ?