John 21:1-19

One day a rather inebriated ice fisherman decided to go fishing, and drilled a hole in the ice and peered into the hole and a loud voice said, "There are no fish down there."
He walked several yards away and drilled another hole and peered into the hole and again the voice said, :There's no fish down there." He then walked about 50 yards away and drilled another hole and again the voice said, "There's no fish down there." He looked up into the sky and asked, "God, is that you?" "No, you idiot," the voice said, "it's the rink manager."

Fishing is an incredibly popular hobby, although I have to confess that I personally have never really seen the attraction in it.

Most fishermen have a story or two to tell, but few I think that match the story that we heard today from our Gospel reading.

It takes place in the days following Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. We are told that 7 of Jesus’ disciples were by the Sea of Tiberias, better know as the Sea of Galilee, when they decided to go fishing. In that region most people fish at night, because it is then that the fish come up near to the surface, whereas in the heat of the day the fish tend to stay nearer the bottom of the lake. But the disciples don’t have a very successful night fishing, in fact they don’t catch a single thing. So when Jesus appears on the shore, and shouts to the disciples if they have caught anything, their answer is no. So Jesus instructs them to throw their net onto the other side of the boat, and when they do this, they have the most amazing catch of fish. We are told that the haul was so large, that they couldn’t physically get the net into the boat. Such was the amount of fish. And it is then, after this miraculous catch of fish that the disciples suddenly recognise that it is Jesus, John, who is described as the disciple whom Jesus loved, cries out, ‘It is the Lord’, and Peter instantly dives into the water and swims across to Jesus.

What things can we learn from this passage, what message does it have for us today? There is so much that can be gained from this passage, I just want to mention a few things.

Searching in the wrong place

Earlier this week, the BBC reported that as a nation we are getting unhappier, we’re in danger of turning into a country of Victor Meldrews! The UK was ranked only the ninth happiest country out of 15 European Union nations. The report highlighted that in the UK there is falling trust in government, the police and other institutions. It seems as though there is a growing dissatisfaction in our society. What these survey’s have revealed is that people are searching for something that will give meaning and purpose to life.

The trouble is, so often, like the disciples in the boat, we cast our nets in search for these answers in the wrong places, expecting to find the answers we are looking for. For example, we expect to find the answers we are looking for in our work, or in relationships, or in hobbies, or by making as much money as possible, but ultimately this cannot satisfy that greatest longing in our hearts. Freddie Mercury, the lead singer of the rock group Queen, who died at the end of 1991 in spite of the fact that he had amassed a huge fortune and had attracted thousands of fans, admitted in an interview shortly before his death that he was desperately lonely. He said, ‘You can have everything in the world and still be the loneliest man, and that is the most bitter type of loneliness. Success has brought me world idolisation and millions of pounds, but it’s prevented me from having the one thing we all need – a loving, ongoing relationship.’ Ultimately, it is through a relationship with God, that we can discover ultimate peace and freedom. Only he, can satisfy that deepest longing, that exists in all our hearts.

It is only when the disciples listen to, and obey Jesus’ instructions to cast the net the other side, that they discover what they have been searching for. In the same way, it is only when we listen to the voice of God, and obey him, that we will finally find what it is we are searching for. In John 15:5 Jesus says, “If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” When the disciples tried to do things their own way, it ended in failure, it is only when they obeyed Jesus, that they discovered what they were looking for.

God’s abundance

This leads onto the next point, the haul of fish is extraordinary, this was no ordinary catch. When God gives, he gives abundantly, he gives in the full measure, he gives recklessly. Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10) or as some translations have it, to have life in all its abundance. I will come on to the question of how we can receive this abundant life in a few moments. But it is important for us to remember the shere generosity and love God has for us. And this is a message I think we need to hear again and again. God loves YOU, God cares about YOU. For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11.

God’s invitation

This passage is full of wonderful little details, clearly written by someone who witnessed the events for themselves. As soon as Peter realises that it is Jesus standing at the shore, he dives into the water and swims over to Jesus, whilst the other 6 disciples struggle to bring the net laden with fish in from the lake. And when they get to the beach, they discover a fire is burning, and Jesus invites the disciples to come and eat breakfast with him.

Jesus’ invitation to share a meal, is an invitation to fellowship with him, and it is the invitation that he also extends to each one of us. In Revelation 3:20 Jesus says, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” Jesus invites ordinary people, into relationship with him, and he invites you and me. Jesus opens to us the riches of his friendship, the relationship that he offers you and me, is a real and satisfying one.

Removing the barrier of failure

Earlier I talked about the life that Jesus offers us all, but how do we actually receive this. I’ve talked about how Jesus opens to us the riches of his friendship, but before Peter can be reinstated, the barrier of sin and failure first has to be removed from our lives.

Three times Jesus asks Peter, ‘Do you truly love me?’ The reason Jesus asks Peter this question three times, is because on the night of Jesus’ arrest, Peter three times had denied knowing Jesus. And now, after each question ‘Do you love me’ Peter responds, ‘Yes Lord, you know that I love you.’ A relationship with Jesus begins when in his presence, we face up to all that grieves and contradicts God’s holy will for our lives. Just as Peter had to face up to his sin and failure.

And to face up to these things should lead to repentance. The word repent, means literally to turn away from those things that get between God and ourselves. Turning away from sin, and turning to God. Turning away from the old life, lived without God, to a new life lived with him. Baptism is both a symbol of death and also new life. When we go into the waters of baptism, it is as though we are entering the grave, we are dying to a life without God. And it is also a symbol of new life, because when we come out of the waters of baptism, it is as though we are born again. We are new people, we begin a new life with God. Of course, we are all human, and we all make mistakes, so the act of repenting for our sins, is something we need to do again and again.

But what Peter discovered, and what this passage reveals is that no matter how desperate our failure, or how deep our sense or guilt or shame may be, God can forgive and renew us, and use us in his service. No one is beyond the grace, and mercy of God. Failure is never final with God.

God’s Commissioning

After forgiveness, comes Peter’s commissioning, and what this passage reveals is that to follow Jesus and love him, means also accepting responsibility for his people. Each time after Peter replies that he loves Jesus, Jesus responds, ‘Feed my lambs, Take care of my sheep, Feed my sheep.’ Although slightly different, the point Jesus is in effect making the same point three times. Commitment to Christ, also means commitment to his people the church of Christ. Jesus Christ is not a ‘single’ person in the sense that he comes to us without other attachments. He is a ‘married’ person; he comes to us with a bride, whom he loves, and this is the church. To be in a relationship with Christ, while ignoring or even despising his bride, is no more acceptable than such behaviour would be in human contexts when relating to a married friend. Genuine conversion means not only turning to and accepting Christ. It also means turning to and accepting his bridge, the church. And in baptism, one of the promises being made on Eliza’s behalf is that her family will help her to become a full worshipping member of God’s church.

This passage is a profoundly critical one for every Christian. Because it gets to the heart of what the Christian faith is all about. It is about our relationship with God through Jesus. Jesus asks Peter the same question, ‘Do you truly love me’. This is the essence of the Christian faith, to love God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength, and to love our neighbour as ourselves. When you love someone, you want to spend time with them, to be in their presence, you want to get to know them, and to show your love for them by the way you respond to them. And when you are in love with someone, it shows by the way we live, and the way we speak. It shapes are desires and passions. Our love for God, should be evident in the way we love one another as his family the church.

The cost of being a Christian

The final thing that this passage reveals, is that there is a cost to being a Christian. Earlier this week we had a reunion for all those who have completed our most recent Alpha Course. And one member of the group said, ‘Becoming a Christian is the easy bit, but living as a Christian, that’s tough.’ Today, in baptism, Eliza is beginning, her Christian journey, baptism marks the start of this journey with God, but it won’t always be easy. Jesus warned Peter, that he would suffer for the sake of his faith. “I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go." Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, "Follow me!" (21:18-19)

Whilst we are not likely to suffer in this way for the sake of the Gospel, the reality is that putting God first in our lives, loving him the way we should, and living life God’s way is often hard. It is not always easy, and Jesus knew this, that is why as Christians we are given the Holy Spirit, and why in baptism we pray for God’s Spirit to be on Eliza as she begins her journey of faith. We have also part of a family, God’s family, the church, and the church is here to love and support us on our Christian journey.

Conclusion

There is a lot contained in this passage, and I have tried to touch on what I feel are the main points. That in life we listen to and obey God, that we discover what we are really searching for. This passage reminds us that our God is a loving, generous God, who offers to us life in all its abundance. That even when we have failed God, and turned away from him, there is always the promise of forgiveness and restoration. As a passage it speaks to us, of the important of the church, and our place in it, and it also reminds us of the cost involved in being a follower of Jesus Christ, but also of the immense joy that comes through knowing and loving him. Today, as Eliza is baptized, and as her parents and godparents make promises on her behalf, so we also have an opportunity to rededicate ourselves to following Jesus Christ.

Easter Sermon 2007

Every year thousands of people climb a mountain in the Italian Alps, passing the "stations of the cross" to stand at an outdoor crucifix. One tourist noticed a little trail that led beyond the cross. He fought through the rough thicket and, to his surprise, came upon another shrine, a shrine that symbolized the empty tomb. It was neglected. The trees had grown up around it. Almost everyone had gone as far as the cross, but stopped there.

Far too many have reached the cross and have known the despair and heartbreak. Far too few have moved beyond the cross to find the real message of Easer -- the empty tomb.
I hope we never tire of hearing the words ‘He Is Risen!’ I hope we never cease to be amazed and awestruck at the incredible fact that death couldn’t hold the Lord of Life. And, most of all, I hope we never miss this simple fact that Jesus is alive today.

The resurrection is not just something that happened at a moment in time but it is a new daily reality. When we say ‘He is Risen¨ we don’t mean just that at a moment in time Jesus came back to life, but really we mean He is Alive Today. Right now. At this very moment. And that changes everything. The Apostle Paul lays it out simply when he says in 1 Cor. 15:14 “if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.” What does it mean for you and I that Jesus is Risen? Let me suggest four things that I see in the resurrection 1. There is Love in the Resurrection1 John 4:9 says, ‘This how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only son into the world that we might live through him.¨

We see this love in a painful way on the cross. We see the extent of God’s love for us as we reflect on Jesus’ death. But it doesn’t end there! The love of God did not only send Jesus to the cross, it also raised Him back to life! The love of God did not leave Jesus in the tomb, and us in despair, but it raised Jesus back to life so that, as John writes, ‘we might live through him.¨ Love hates death. Love struggles against death and in favour of life. And in the resurrection of our Lord Jesus, love overcomes death.

And the love we find in the resurrection should also overflows from us to others. 1 John 3:14 says, ‘We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers.¨ We know that we participate in the resurrection life of Jesus because it spills over into our relationships with one another even with those who are difficult to love. Jesus prayed that the world would know we were His disciples by the depth of our love for one another.

As I look around our world, I think it is love that we need most. To be loved is perhaps the deepest longing of our hearts. And it is the first thing I find in the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only son into the world that we might live through him.¨ (1 Jn 4:9).

2. There is Life in the ResurrectionJust before Christmas, my grandfather who was a Christian passed away, and his funeral was a wonderful occasion, full of hope and joy. I wonder, what would that have been like if Jesus had not been raised from the dead? What would it be like to stand at the time of death of a loved one without any knowledge that there is life beyond the grave? I can’t imagine the desperation and I don’t have to try! For there is life! There is victory! All because Jesus rose from the dead.

Romans 6:4-5 says, “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection.” When we respond in faith to God, we become united with Jesus in His resurrection life.

God freely offers us new life. He offers the chance for us to participate with Jesus in the life that comes through resurrection. Jesus is alive today. He is here, right now, according to His promise. And He brings with Him the gift of life, His hand outstretched at this very moment offering it to you.

3. There is Hope in the ResurrectionThe resurrection gives us hope for today, hope for tomorrow, and hope for eternity. Hope that things can change. Hope that even if they don’t change, and the worst happens and death comes, that is not the end! There is more life after that, better life after that life without sickness or pain or tears. Life without ever having to wonder, ‘Lord, where are you?’ because we will see Him with our eyes, touch Him with our hands, and never worry or fret again.

One thing many people fear is death. But in the resurrection of Jesus we find hope, hope for something greater, something better, something eternal. We know that because Jesus lives today, we too can live with Him. This hope affects how we live, and how we die.

A missionary in Brazil discovered a tribe of Indians in a remote part of the jungle. They lived near a large river. The tribe was in need of medical attention. A contagious disease was ravaging the population. People were dying daily. A hospital was not far away across the river, but the Indians would not cross it because they believed it was inhabited by evil spirits. To enter the water would mean certain death. The missionary explained how he had crossed the river and was unharmed. They were not impressed. He then took them to the bank and placed his hand in the water. They still wouldn’t go in. He walked into the water up to his waist and splashed water on his face. It didn’t matter. They were still afraid to enter the river. Finally, he dove into the river, swam beneath the surface until he emerged on the other side. He punched a triumphant fist into the air. He had entered the water and escaped. It was then that the Indians broke out into a cheer and followed him across.

That is what Jesus did for us with death He entered it, made it safely to the other side, and punched a triumphant fist into the air. But here’s the thing Jesus doesn’t stay on the other side of the bank. No, He jumps back in, and swims back to our side. He is alive, and present with us. And then, when our turn comes to face death, I believe He takes us by the hand and swims across with us, safely to the other side.

1 Peter 1:3 says, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” Because He lives, we have hope.4. There is Power in the Resurrection1 Cor. 6:14 tells us, “By his power, God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also.” This is the fourth thing I want to remind us of this morning that there is power in the resurrection.

You see, the simple point I want to make this morning, that winds its way through each of the four things I have talked about, is that Jesus is alive. He is alive right now, with us, walking beside us. He didn’t rise up from the dead and then take off to heaven, maybe to come back again someday. But He is Alive and with us through the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. And because of that, His power is available to us. The same power that raised him from the dead.

That power is here for our daily lives, and God desires us to experience it more deeply. It is there to enable us to have victory over sin, it is there to bring us hope and encouragement, it is there to shine through us to our world around us, it is there to enable us to worship and celebrate. Let me rephrase that in light of my main point that Jesus is alive: HE is here to enable us to have victory over sin, HE is here to bring us hope and encouragement, HE is here to shine through us to our world around us, HE is here to enable us to worship and celebrate. About 1930 the Communist leader Bukharin journeyed from Moscow to Kiev. His mission was to address a huge assembly, his subject was "atheism." For a solid hour he aimed his heavy artillery at Christianity, hurling argument after argument heaped on top of ridicule. At last he was finished and viewed what he thought was the smouldering ashes of men’s’ ruined faith."Are there any questions?" Bukharin demanded.A solitary man rose and asked permission to speak. He mounted the platform and moved close to the Communist. The audience was breathlessly silent as the man surveyed them first to the right, then to the left. At last he shouted the ancient Orthodox greeting, "CHRIST IS RISEN!"The vast assembly arose as one man and the response came crashing like the sounds of an avalanche, "HE IS RISEN INDEED!"

This morning it is my prayer that you would know the Risen Lord Jesus. That you would know the love, the life, the hope, and the power of the Resurrection. That is the simple message of our faith ‘Jesus is Alive!’

Love One Another as I have Loved You: John 13:1-17, 33-34

Introduction

If you were to turn on the radio and listen to the songs being played, the vast majority of theme would be about one theme in particular. The theme of love, especially what we would describe as romantic love.

The trouble with the English language is that it doesn’t distinguish between different forms of love. For example, we may talk about loving a cup of tea, and loving our children, but we will mean two quite different things.

In contrast, the Greek language has four words for love.
Storge, meaning affectionate love. Referring to the sort of love a parent has for their children.
Philia, which can be described as friendship.
Eros, which is the type of love most commonly written about in songs. Eros refers to sexual love, that state which we call ‘being in love’.
Agape, used exclusively in the Bible, which CS Lewis in his book ‘The Four Loves’ translates as charity. And it is this word agape that has come to mean Christian love.

The Greatest Command

Jesus was once asked what is the greatest command, to which he replied, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. And love your neighbour as yourself.’ And on the night that Jesus shared his last supper with his disciples, he gives them the command, a new mandatum (where we derive the name Maundy from), Jesus says we are to Agape one another, love one another. And Jesus sets out how we are to do this, by following his example: Love one another as I have loved you, a command which Jesus again repeats in John 15:12.

The Example of Jesus

At the last supper, with his disciples, as John describes it in 13:1 Jesus shows the disciples the “full extent of his love.” As the meal is being served, Jesus removes his outer garment, wraps a towel around his body, and then getting down on his hands and feet he washes his disciples feet. In the culture of that time, any good host would make sure his guests’ feet were wash by a servant when they entered the house. But what would have surprised the disciples is that Jesus, the host, their rabbi, was washing their feet. That was part of Peter's objection to Jesus' washing of his feet.

When we think about the command to ‘Love one another as I have loved you’, how do we view this? Sometimes there is a tendency for us to think about it is terms of being nice to people, welcoming them when they come to our home or to the church. But Jesus was showing his disciples that true hospitality goes much deeper than basic good manners.

So what lessons can we learn from this action?

Self Giving Love

First of all, real love is self giving love, it means getting our hands dirty. Jesus couldn’t wash the disciples feet, without first getting down onto the floor, and taking those dirty feet into his own hands, and neither can we really love people if we are not prepared to do the same. Real love is about being prepared to make ourselves vulnerable, by entering into the mess and complication of life. After all, Jesus said he came not for the healthy, but the sick, he came not to call the righteous but sinners. (Mark 2:17) CS Lewis in his book ‘The Four Loves’ writes, “To love at all is to be venerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly be broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin or your selfishness. But in that casket--safe, dark, motionless, airless--it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable...”
Real love reaches out to all people, including those we find it difficult to love. It is highly significant that Jesus washed ALL the disciples feet. He washed Peter’s feet, who only hours later, despite promising to always remain by Jesus’ side, would deny him three times. He washed Thomas’ feet, who a few days later, would doubt Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, until he had seen Jesus for himself. And he also washed Judas’ feet, the one who that very same night would betray him. In washing even Judas' feet, Jesus was extending hospitality, his acceptance, even to the one who would betray him. Even though Jesus knew that Judas' act of betrayal would set into motion the events leading to his death, Jesus didn't push him out of the community. To the end, Jesus offered Judas a chance to change. What Jesus does is to embody God’s love, a love that extends to each and every one of us. Jesus tells his disciples: I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. If Jesus could include Judas, shouldn't we think very seriously about those we find it all to easy to exclude?

If you find this uncomfortable, and challenging, then I can reassure you that I feel the same way too. This type of love calls us beyond our comfort zone, it takes us to people and places that we would not normally choose to go. It’s about being prepared to get our hands dirty, to face possible opposition and rejection, or misunderstanding. It’s about learning to put others before ourselves, which I for one find very hard to do.

Jesus redefines what it means to love. For example, in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:43 Jesus says, “"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”

On Sunday evening BBC 2 showed a documentary with Louis Theroux, entitled ‘The Most Hated Family in America’. In this documentary Louis spent three weeks with the Phelps family in America. For those of you who didn’t see the documentary, the Phelpses run the Westboro Baptist Church in Kansas, over many years they have led many picketing demonstrations against homosexuality, and more recently picketing the funerals of American Service Men killed in action in Iraq, claiming that their deaths are a sign of God’s judgement on USA. They even showed clips of children as young as 7 holding banners saying ‘God Hates Gays’. I was horrified by what I saw, and was left asking myself, where is the message of God’s love in what they are preaching. The point is that God’s love, as shown by Jesus, reaches out to everyone, no matter who we are, and the events at the Last Supper show us this.

In John 15:13 Jesus says “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” Jesus showed his love for us by sacrificing his life on the cross so that we might live. True love often requires us to make sacrifices, and giving of ourselves.

But how do we actually go about doing this? Paul gives us some guidance in Philippians 2:4 onwards:

Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6Who, being in very nature[ God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross! 9Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Our attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus, who looked not to his own interests, but to the interest of others.

This doesn’t come easily, Paul himself admitted in Romans 7:19 that “what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.” So it is something we wrestle with, and work at.

But with the grace and help of God, we can learn what it means to love others, and by making a conscious decision to try and love people the way God would have us do, is often the first step we have to take..

Newspaper columnist and minister George Crane tells the story of a wife who came into his office full of hatred toward her husband. “I do not only want to get rid of him I want to get even. Before I divorce him, I want to hurt him as much as he has me.” Dr Crane suggested an ingenious plan: “Go home and act as if you really love your husband. Tell him how much he means to you. Praise him for every decent trait. Go out of your way to be as kind, considerate and generous as possible. Spare no efforts to please him, to enjoy im. Make him believe you love him. After you’ve convinced him of your undying love and that you cannot live without him, then drop the bomb. Tell him that you’re getting a divorce. That will really hurt him.”

With revenge in her eyes, she smiled and exclaimed, “Beautiful, beautiful He will be so surprised!”

And she did it with euthusiasm. Acting “as if” for two months she showed love, kindness, listening, giving, reinforcing and sharing. When she didn’t return Crane called, “Are you ready now to go through with the divorce?” “Divorce?” She exclaimed. “Never! I discovered I really do love him.” Her actions had changed her feelings.

Conclusion

At the start of this sermon I talked about love songs, which tend to emphasis the emotional dimension of love. However, love isn’t just dependent upon how we feel towards someone, it is something we need to work at. And to love one another as God has loves us requires effort and time. But it is the sort of love that this world needs more than ever to witness. One of the things that marked the first Christians out from others was the love they had for one another. If people can see the love that we as Christians have for one another and for God, in our churches and in our families, people will be interested in finding out more about God. Because more than ever what people want and need is to feel they are loved and accepted. Many feet walk into our lives and into our church every day -- old feet, young feet, feet of different races, poor feet, children's feet, feet of the needy, feet of the arrogant, feet of the annoying, feet of those we love and feet of those we fear, feet of those who are like us and feet of those who aren't just like us. Whose feet would we be willing to wash? Whose feet would we rather not touch at all?Jesus showed by his example that we really don't have a choice in the matter. If we have, through our baptism, promised to live a godly life, to live by Jesus' teachings, to respect the dignity of all God's creatures, then we must be willing, literally or figuratively, to wash everyone's feet, no matter what. We have to be willing to show that same hospitality, that same acceptance, to everyone, no matter what. Washing each other's feet can be an intimately loving act, but we must also remember that there are other consequences of that unconditional love. Judas didn't change his mind -- and tonight Jesus begins his final way to the cross.