Jerusalem Day 5: ‘The Hour is Near’
Today is Passover, and it’s a time of celebration for all Jewish people. The Feast of Unleavened Bread commemorates our deliverance from Egypt’s cruel bondage, and God commands us to commemorate it.
Whether it’s Egypt or Rome, tyranny still exists in our lives. But you know what, listening to what the man they call Jesus has had to say over the past few days, it really gives you hope for real deliverance from these ungodly people.
We have heard that Jesus indeed intends to keep the Passover and celebrate with His friends, whom many call His disciples. Jesus asked for a special room to be prepared so that He and His friends could eat the Passover meal.
Ever curious, I had to see what this was all about. So I stayed outside that evening but was able to see all that was happening. I was astonished.
During the meal, Jesus announced that one of his friends would betray Him. It had to be Judas Iscariot, who had met with the high priests the day before. It was rumored they gave him 30 pieces of silver to hand Jesus over to them. His disciples asked among themselves who it might be, but they soon discovered it to be Judas.
During the meal, Jesus said something I could not understand. He broke bread and said, “Take and eat. This is My body.” What?
He then took the cup and gave all to drink and said, “This is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” (Matt. 26:26-28). His blood to be shed? We know the high priests are plotting to kill Him, but in what manner? This is very disturbing.
But then Jesus did something else that amazed me. He took a basin of water and a towel, and He began to wash the disciples’ feet. They too were all amazed. One of them, called Simon Peter, said to Him, “You shall never wash my feet!” But Jesus rebuked him and said, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.” (John 13:8-9).
Peter quickly agreed to allow Jesus to do it.
But He wasn’t finished with Simon Peter. He told Peter that, before the rooster crows, this night, “You will deny Me three times.” Peter refused to believe this, as did the rest of Jesus’ disciples. You don’t see and hear things like this every day.
After the meal, I decided to follow them, but stayed out of sight. Jesus took His friends to the Garden of Gethsemane, and I heard Him tell His disciples that He would go and pray close by. Jesus looked very distraught.
I couldn’t make out what He was praying, but His heart was obviously heavy. Something big is about to happen, I can feel it.
I was right. Just as Jesus said “The hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going; he who betrays Me is at Hand.” (Matt. 26:45). An angry mob, with Judas with them, entered the garden. Judas then approached Jesus and gave Him a kiss.
It’s incredible. One of His own disciples, His friend, had betrayed Him.
A short skirmish took place and one of those who were with Jesus took out his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear. But before I could realize what was going on, Jesus said, “Enough.” And He touched his ear and it was as if the man had grown back a new ear. Who is this man?
Shortly after, they bound Jesus and led Him away. I was told they were taking Him before the Sanhedrin to be tried. But what had He done? The high priests have a lot to answer for.
It’s going to be a long night. I don’t envy Jesus whatsoever. {eoa}
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Editor’s Note: The preceding is an account of what one person could possibly have witnessed in Jerusalem on Thursday during Holy Week. It is the fifth day of what happened, according to the Bible, prior to Jesus’ crucifixion. Some of the text is editorial license.
