The feast of the new year came near and the chief prosecutors and judges searched out a way to kill Messiah and kill his influence, but they did not want to unnecessarily agitate the people in his favor so they had to hide their intentions under falsehoods. They purposed that it be for “the children’s sake” so that public sympathy might be aroused for the prosecution.
Then Satan entered one who was offended at him and once a member of Messiah’s community. And he went to communicate with the prosecutors and others, how he could betray him unto them. He visited the sheriff and called the prosecutor to encourage him to take the Messiah out of his family for he just might make them all "commit suicide." And the betrayer looked for an opportunity to betray him unto them in private so his report would not be made public and the trickery exposed.
While Messiah ate with his family he said, Look and understand, the one who betrays me is with us here at the supper Father made for us in the wilderness. And truly the Son of man goes under the power of betrayal, as it was determined by God in His word, but woe unto that person by whom he is betrayed! His woe will never be removed from him.
Now who is greater, the person who sits down to eat, or he who serves those who eat at the table? Is not the one who sits at the meal esteemed as greater? But I am among you as he who serves. I lay down for your sake and give you all that I have. I am the one who serves at the meal for your sake. I am the lamb of God sacrifice.
You are they who have continued with me in my temptations and trials. And through this I made for you a kingdom, as my Father has made one for me; that you may now eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging everyone who professes to be God’s people whether or not they actually are, for when they see you on your throne of victory and with the testimony of my kingdom, they will be judged by how they judge you. What they say about you in secret, will be said of them before the universe.
And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat, but I have prayed for you, that your faith fail not, and when you are finally converted, strengthen your brethren. And the one who had strong statements of faith said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with you, both into prison, and to death. And Messiah said, You who have strong statements of faith, the cock shall not crow this day, until you will have three times denied that you even know me by your actions and life.
Then said Messiah unto them, But now, he that has a purse, let him take it, and likewise his money: and he that has no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one. You must appear to be criminals. Messiah said to them, that what is written must be fulfilled in me, “And he was reckoned among the lawbreakers” for the things concerning me have a certain purpose and conclusion.
And they said, Lord, behold, there are two people who war against you with the swords of their mouths. And he said unto them, it is enough to make me a criminal in my accusers eyes. Their swords will be unsheathed against me and people will believe them.
And Messiah prayed that night and said, Father, if You be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but Yours, be done. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as if it were great drops of his life falling down to the ground because of the stress of it all. His tears were as the rain.
And when he rose up from prayer, and came to his disciples, he found them sleeping for the pain of it all trying to get some relief from all the troubles and temptations that Messiah had caused for them. And he said to them, Why do you sleep on? Rise and pray, or you might fail and be tempted to abandon me as others already have.
And while he spoke to them, they could see a multitude, who were with his betrayer, one of his previous followers, who went before them, and drew near unto Messiah to kiss him. But Messiah said unto him, betrayer, do you betray the Son of man with a nice friendly gesture pretending to be a person of justice and making out to me that you love me?
Then Messiah said unto the prosecutors and rulers of the court, and the political leaders who came to get him, Do you come after me with many police cars, a helicopter and many weapons, as against a violent criminal, with your accusations and charges? When I was daily with you in public for years, you stretched forth no hands against me, but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.
Then they took him, and led him, and brought him into the court. And the Messiah’s disciples followed from a distance. And many things they blasphemously spoke against him, naming him a self-proclaimed Messiah, molester of children and a fake.
And as soon as the previous days of preparation ended, the leaders of the people and the chief prosecutors and the court clerks came together, and led him into their court, saying, are you the Messiah? Tell us. And he said unto them, If I tell you, you will not believe what I say; and if I try to tell you, you will not let me; and if I also cooperate with you, you will not answer me respectfully, nor let me go, for it is your intention to kill me. But hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God for he shall be faithful to death under your accusations and punishments. Then said they all, Are you saying then that you are the Son of God? And he said unto them, I am, and you proclaim it yourselves. And they said, What need we any further witness? For we ourselves have heard of his own mouth that he thinks that he is God.
So they sacrificed the Messiah, and his blood made the path that you might walk worthy of the Lord unto all perfection, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and long suffering with joyfulness; giving thanks unto the Father, who has made us to be partakers of the inheritance of those separated from darkness to be in light, and who has delivered us from the power of darkness, and has translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son the Messiah, in whom we have redemption through his Life’s blood, even the forgiveness of all our errors and who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature born after him.
For by Messiah were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: and this Messiah was before all things, and by him all things consist. For it pleased the Father in heaven that in him should all fullness dwell in us; and, having made peace through the blood of his sacrifice, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
And you, that were previously alienated and enemies in your mind by selfish works, yet now has he reconciled in the body of his flesh through his sacrificed Life, to present you holy and without blame or reproach in the sight of the Father: If you continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the good news of Messiah, which you have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven.