by Angela Moreno

Today is the day that Jesus has been preparing for. He knew from the beginning this day would occur.

Today is the day of the Passover feast. Jesus sent His disciples to find a man who was to prepare an upstairs room for their feast. Jesus gathered His disciples around the table. And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.” (Luke 22:15).

Jesus tells His disciples that a new covenant is upon them, one that requires Jesus to give His body and His blood. After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.” (Luke 22:17-20)

Jesus knew the man who would betray Him was at the very table He sat at. He told His disciples that one of them would betray Him. All denied that they would do such a thing. Jesus then took a position of a servant and washed the feet of every one of His disciples, even Judas who would betray Him. He showed an act of love to the men who had supported and followed Him for the last three years.

After singing hymns, Jesus and His disciples went to the Mount of Olives. Here Jesus told His disciples, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written: “ ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ (Matthew 26:31). Peter and the rest of the disciples vehemently denied that they would ever deny Jesus. But Jesus knew that Peter would deny Him three times before the rooster crowed that very night.

Jesus then took Peter and two others with Him to Gethsemane. He asked His close friends to stay awake with Him and pray. Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” (Matthew 26:38-39).

Jesus returned to His friends and found them sleeping. He admonished them for not staying awake praying when He desperately needed them. Jesus left to pray again begging the Father to take this cup from Him. A second time Jesus returned and found the disciples sleeping. Instead of waking them, He returned to pray again. The third time Jesus returned to the disciples, He woke them up and said, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!” (Matthew 26:45-46).

Judas and a large crowd appeared before Jesus.  Judas told the men with him that he would kiss the one they were to arrest.  As Judas approached, Jesus said, “Do what you came for, friend.” (Matthew 26:50) and Judas kissed Jesus.  At once, Jesus is arrested.

Peter immediately came to action to save Jesus.  Swinging a sword, he cuts off the ear of the servant of the hight priest.  Jesus told Peter that this was not the way to handle things and immediately healed the ear of the servant.

The guards brought Jesus before Caiaphas the high priest. Caiaphas asked for witnesses to come forth and speak against Jesus. Two came forward stating that Jesus had said that He would destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days. Caiaphas asked for Jesus’s rebuttal, but Jesus remained silent.  Jesus is then asked if He is the son of God. To this, Jesus has an answer: “ You have said so,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” (Matthew 26:64).

The high priest is outraged tearing his clothing and says that Jesus is speaking blasphemy.  The crowd says Jesus deserves death.  They beat Jesus and spit in His face.

Meanwhile, Peter has followed Jesus and is watching the events unfold. A woman in the crowd approaches Peter and asks if he knows Jesus.  Peter denies knowing Jesus and moves to another area.  Another servant girl approaches Jesus and asks him the same question.  Another denial from Peter.  A third time Peter is asked if he knows Jesus and yet another denial.  Jesus looks directly into Peter’s eyes and Peter remembers the words of Jesus.  The rooster crows and Peter weeps bitterly (Luke 22:61-62).

The final stage is set.

The disciples have scattered into the wind.

Jesus is alone.

The Lamb is awaiting the sacrifice.