Jesus knew what was coming.
His disciples didn’t.
But Jesus knew.
He always knows what’s coming.

He sent them on ahead – just two of them, to find the place for their last meal together before he was due to die.
They found the man, just as Jesus had told them they would. He led them to the upper room.
They smiled to each other.
Jesus knew everything.
It was very comforting.

That night they all sat together in the room and smell of roasted lamb and burning oil-candles filled the air. They were laughing and joking as usual, until the ceremony started. Then the room went quiet, more quiet than usual, as Jesus took the bread in His hands.

“One of you will hand me over to those who hate me,” He said, slowly.

The words cut like a sword.
Like a sword ripping off their ears.
They couldn’t believe what they were hearing.

Their faces changed.

There was a sadness in his eyes and a heaviness in his heart. This wasn’t another parable. This was a prophecy. He opened his mouth to speak again.
He knew what was coming.
The disciples did not know anything. They did not understand anything of what he was saying.

One by one they asked Him, “Lord, it can’t be me? It’s not me is it? I love you too much to hurt you!”

Jesus answered, “I promise that one of you who has dipped his hand into this bowl of ours tonight has already agreed to let me down.”

Then Judas said, “Surely you don’t mean me Teacher?”

Jesus looked at him. Jesus knew what was coming. Jesus always knew.

“You have said it,” He answered quietly. “It will happen, and I will die just as it has been written in your history and mine, in the words God gave us long ago.”

Jesus lifted the bread and thanked God for it. He blessed it and broke it open.

“Can you see this bread?” He said. “Look at it. It is broken open. This is what will happen to me. I will be broken open just the same. I have come to die.”

He showed them with the bread to help them to understand. But they could not see.
“Take this and eat it. And every time you do so, remember this moment and my love for you right now. All of you.”

Jesus’ friends touched the bread. Their eyes stung with tears, their hearts were filled with dread.

How could he die? What did he mean? Surely He was telling them some kind of story again, wasn’t He?

But Jesus knew what was coming. He always did. He always will