To This End Was I Born - Lesson Outline

Lesson 26: “To This End Was I Born”," New Testament Gospel Doctrine Teacher’s Manual, (2002)

1. Introduction

a) Last week, we spoke about Gethsemane

b) This week, we pick up the story of the last day of Christ’s mortal life while he is still in the olive grove, immediately after he has finished taking all the sins of the world upon Himself

c) Reading 1 - Elder James E. Talmage wrote: "The further tragedy of the night, and the cruel inflictions that awaited Him on the morrow, to culminate in the frightful tortures of the cross, could not exceed the bitter anguish through which He had successfully passed." (Jesus The Christ, p614)

2. Jesus is betrayed, arrested, and accused of blasphemy; Peter denies Jesus three times.

a) Reading 2 – Matthew 26:31-35

31 Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.

32But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.

33 Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.

34 Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.

35 Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.

b) Reading 3 – John 18:1-9

1When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples.

2And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples.

3 Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.

4 Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye?

5 They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them.

6 As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.

7 Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth.

8 Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way:

9That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none.

i) Verse 8 – Christ protecting His apostles and, evidently, some of His other disciples who, perhaps, were waiting farther away from Gethsemane

(1) He does not want any of them to be arrested with Him

(2) Among His apostles, perhaps he was concerned that their testimonies were not yet strong enough to bear the torture that would be inflicted upon Him

(3) Later, his apostles grew into men of great and unshakable faith

(a) Peter was crucified upside down

(b) Many, if not most of the apostles likely died violent deaths

c) Reading 4 – Elder James E. Talmage wrote: "During the period of the Lord's last and most loving communion with the Eleven, Judas had been busy in his treacherous conspiracy with the priestly authorities. It is probable that the determination to make the arrest that night was reached when Judas reported that Jesus was within the city walls and might easily be apprehended. The Jewish rulers assembled a body of temple guardsmen or police, and obtained a band of Roman soldiers under command of a tribune; this band or cohort was probably a detachment from the garrison of Antonia commissioned for the work of the night on requisition of the chief priests. This company of men and officers representing a combination of ecclesiastical and military authority, set forth in the night with Judas at their head, intent on the arrest of Jesus. They were equipped with lanterns, torches, and weapons. It is probable that they were first conducted to the house in which Judas had left his fellow apostles and the Lord, when the traitor had been dismissed; and that finding the little company had gone out, Judas led the multitude to Gethsemane, for he knew the place, and knew also that 'Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples'." (Jesus The Christ, pp614-615)

d) At this point, Peter pulls out his sword and cuts off the ear of one of those who have come for Jesus. Jesus tells Peter to put away his sword and heals the ear.

i) Christ explains his action to Peter

ii) READ Matthew 26:53-54

53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?

54 But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?

e) Reading 5: John 10:17-18

17Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.

18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

f) READ Matthew 26:56

56But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.

3. Christ accused of blasphemy; Peter denies Jesus three times.

a) Now we see the Savior taken on a night-time tour to some of the scummiest people in Jerusalem

b) John records that Christ was first taken to Annas

i) appointed high priest in 7 AD and deposed in 15 AD

ii) Father-in-law of Caiaphas – current High Priest

iii) had immense wealth and during this time continued to exercise a great deal of religious and political control over the Jews. Annas gained much of his wealth from the sale of materials used in temple sacrifices.

iv) Nothing is recorded of what transpired at the house of Annas

c) Christ next taken to house of Caiaphus – High Priest

i) Peter and John followed Christ to the house of Caiaphus

ii) There was a gathering of a number of members of the Sanhedrin

iii) Different witnesses gave conflicting accounts of the supposed misdeeds of Christ

iv) Finally, two witnesses agreed on something Christ had supposedly said

(1) Two witnesses necessary under Jewish law

(2) Reading 6: Matthew 26:61-64

61And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.

62And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?

63 But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.

64 Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

v) Caiaphus declared this to be blasphemy

(1) The rest of the assembled Jewish hierarchy agreed and said Christ must be put to death

(2) READ - Matthew 26:67 Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands,

vi) Reading 7 – Matthew 26:69-75

69 ¶Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee.

70 But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest.

71 And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth.

72 And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man.

73 And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee.

74Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.

75And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.

vii) Reading 8 - President Gordon B. Hinckley said: “My heart goes out to Peter. So many of us are so much like him. We pledge our loyalty; we affirm our determination to be of good courage; we declare, sometimes even publicly, that come what may we will do the right thing, that we will stand for the right cause, that we will be true to ourselves and to others.

“Then the pressures begin to build. Sometimes these are social pressures. Sometimes they are personal appetites. Sometimes they are false ambitions. There is a weakening of the will. There is a softening of discipline. There is capitulation. And then there is remorse, followed by self-accusation and bitter tears of regret. …

“… If there be those throughout the Church who by word or act have denied the faith, I pray that you may draw comfort and resolution from the example of Peter, who, though he had walked daily with Jesus, in an hour of extremity momentarily denied the Lord and also the testimony which he carried in his own heart. But he rose above this and became a mighty defender and a powerful advocate. So, too, there is a way for any person to turn about and add his or her strength and faith to the strength and faith of others in building the kingdom of God” (“And Peter Went Out and Wept Bitterly,” Ensign, Mar. 1995, 2–4, 6).

4. Jesus is sentenced to be crucified.

a) The Jews did not have the power to execute anyone, so Christ needed to be taken before Roman authorities

b) Taken first to Pontius Pilate

i) Roman governor or procurator for Judea, Idumea, and Samaria. He was the highest Roman official for this area.

ii) Usually lived in Caesarea, but came to Jerusalem during the feasts to maintain order

iii) The Jewish leaders didn’t accuse Christ of blasphemy here because blasphemy was not a crime under Roman law

iv) Pilate questioned Jesus briefly and said he could find no fault in Jesus

v) When someone mentioned that Jesus’ supposed misdeeds began in Galilee, Pilate learned that Jesus was from Galilee and sent Him to Herod, who was in Jerusalem

c) Herod

i) Governor over Galilee

ii) The man who had killed John the Baptist

iii) READ – Luke 23:8-11

8¶And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was desirous to see him of a long season, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him.

9Then he questioned with him in many words; but he answered him nothing.

10And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused him.

11And Herod with his men of war set him at nought, and mocked him, and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate.

iv) READ – Isaiah 53:7 – He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

d) Back to Pilate

i) Nobody wanted to take responsibility for doing what the Jewish leader wanted to have done to Jesus

ii) Reading 9 – Luke 23:13-16

13¶And Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people,

14Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him:

15 No, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him; and, lo, nothing worthy of death is done unto him.

16 I will therefore chastise him, and release him.

iii) READ – Luke 23:18-25

18 And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas:

19 (Who for a certain sedition made in the city, and for murder, was cast into prison.)

20 Pilate therefore, willing to release Jesus, spake again to them.

21 But they cried, saying, Crucify him, crucify him.

22And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let him go.

23And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed.

24And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required.

25And he released unto them him that for sedition and murder was cast into prison, whom they had desired; but he delivered Jesus to their will.

iv) This is the culmination of centuries of apostasy among the Jews

(1) Many times, Jehovah – Jesus Christ – had sent prophets to them to call them to repentance and bring them back to the truth

(2) Ultimately, the Jews would, in fact, crucify Jehovah

(3) Here is a turning point in the many great prophesies concerning the last being first and the first being last

(a) Christ was sent to His covenant people, the children of Judah, and they rejected Him

(b) READ 1 Nephi 13:42 – Nephi’s great vision of the latter days

42And the time cometh that he shall manifest himself unto all nations, both unto the Jews and also unto the Gentiles; and after he has manifested himself unto the Jews and also unto the Gentiles, then he shall manifest himself unto the Gentiles and also unto the Jews, and the last shall be first, and the first shall be last.

v) READ – 2 Nephi 10:3-6 – Prophesy of Jacob concerning what would happen nearly 600 years later in Jerusalem

3Wherefore, as I said unto you, it must needs be expedient that Christ—for in the last night the angel spake unto me that this should be his name—should come among the Jews, among those who are the more wicked part of the world; and they shall crucify him—for thus it behooveth our God, and there is none other nation on earth that would crucify their God.

4 For should the mighty miracles be wrought among other nations they would repent, and know that he be their God.

5 But because of priestcrafts and iniquities, they at Jerusalem will stiffen their necks against him, that he be crucified.

6 Wherefore, because of their iniquities, destructions, famines, pestilences, and bloodshed shall come upon them; and they who shall not be destroyed shall be scattered among all nations.

5. Christ is Crucified

a) Reading 10 - John 19:17-19

17And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha:

18Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst.

19¶And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.

b) READ Matthew 27-45-46

45Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.

46And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

i) READ - Elder Jeffrey R. Holland said: "Because he must ultimately tread this winepress of redemption unaided, can he endure the darkest moment of them all, the shock of the greatest pain? This comes not with thorns and with nails, but with the terror of feeling utterly alone:...'My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?' (Mark 15:34). Can he bear all of our sins and our fear and loneliness too? He did and he does and he will." (Ensign, Nov. 1989, p26)

c) Reading 12 – Luke 23:44-46

44And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.

45And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.

46¶And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.

i) Symbolism of the Veil being rent

(1) Separated the holy of holies from the holy place in the Jewish temple

(a) Opening the holy of holies to view essentially ended the time of the temples of the old testament

(b) Less than 40 years later, the Romans would destroy the temple

(c) None other would ever be built

(2) There is also a veil between God and Mortal Man

(a) Because of Christ’s Atonement, we are able to move through that veil into the presence of Heavenly Father

(b) READ Doctrine and Covenants 101:23 – Prophesy of the Millenium

23And prepare for the revelation which is to come, when the veil of the covering of my temple, in my tabernacle, which hideth the earth, shall be taken off, and all flesh shall see me together.

(c) READ - Doctrine and Covenants 110:1-2 – Appearance of Christ to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in the Kirtland Temple

1 The veil was taken from our minds, and the eyes of our understanding were opened.

2 We saw the Lord standing upon the breastwork of the pulpit, before us; and under his feet was a paved work of pure gold, in color like amber.

6. Conclusion

a) The Savior’s first recorded premortal words were “Here am I, send me” (Abraham 3:27).

b) Among his first recorded mortal words were “I must be about my Father’s business” (Luke 2:49).

c) Among the last words he spoke in mortality were “Father, it is finished, thy will is done” (Joseph Smith Translation, Matthew 27:54; see Matthew 27:50, footnote 50a).