Jesus is in Jerusalem again. I’ve been following Him since the miracle at Capernaum, all around Israel. Now, He returned to Jerusalem, but something is different. Jesus has been talking about dying, and the Jewish leaders were becoming angry. There were rumors that they were going to kill Him, but they didn’t seem to be true. Jesus rode into the city on a donkey, the Jewish custom for kings, with the crowd cheering and waving palm branches. That was exhilarating to watch! But Jesus didn’t seem too happy with the crowd’s enthusiasm. Jesus spent the next week doing more miracles, and teaching. But, gradually the people seemed to be turning against Jesus. Why? He was doing miracles, He was healing their sick, He was their King! Jesus is God Himself, with the people, yet they were becoming hostile!
Right before Passover, Jesus and His disciples rented a room in a two-level home, and ate a supper their. I wasn’t there, but I heard this from the owner of the house. Jesus announced that He was about to die, and be betrayed by one of His disciples! The owner of the home was in the next room, and was shocked. Listening in, he heard the disciples asking each other if it was they. Jesus said the betrayer was the person to whom Jesus gave the bread. There was silence, then footsteps, as one of the disciples ran out the door! The homeowner didn’t see who. But the group seemed disturbed after that, with Jesus the only One staying calm. Peter in particular seemed upset.
At one point during the meal, I can’t remember whether it was before or after the disciple ran through the door, that Jesus gave a curious speech. He called bread and wine His body and blood, shed for them. What did Jesus mean by this? He said He was going to die, and for them.
Meanwhile, I saw trouble brewing. Near the Temple, I saw the religious leaders gathering a group of soldiers. They had torches and swords and in general looked like they were ill-tempered. At the time, I had no idea for Whom they were preparing to arrest. I would know soon enough, though.
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