Jesus told the 12 about the things that would happen to them and in the world, but they weren't to worry, because they would be given all they need from the Holy Spirit. When Jerusalem would be surrounded by armies, then the end would be near. When the sun, moon and stars do strange things, and planets get out of alignment and the sea and raging tides (tsunami) destroy countries, it is time for the Son of Man to appear. When these things happen hold your head up and stand firm, because your salvation is near. Jesus told them that in the same way they read the signs of the seasons changing, they can see things happening and that the Kingdom of God is about to come. They would be tested and persecuted in their generation. Everything will happen, just as it has been foretold, so don't get lazy and let your lamp run out of oil! Jesus spent the days teaching in the temple, and the evenings He spent in prayer on the Mount of Olives. Every morning the people would go to the temple to listen to Jesus.
Near the Passover, Judas went to the chief priests and teachers and made arrangements to betray Jesus for money. On the day of the Passover, Jesus sent Peter and John with instructions to prepare the Passover meal. They were to meet a man carrying a jar of water and speak to him about using the large upper room for their Passover meal. So they did. Jesus was pleased to share the Passover meal with them before He suffered. Jesus took bread, gave thanks to God and broke it and gave it to the 12 and told them it was His body, given for them and they were to do this in memory of Him. Also, He took a cup and told them it was God's new covenant sealed with His blood, poured out for us. Then He talked about His betrayer sitting there at the same table with Him. They all wondered who it was and an argument broke out about who was the greatest. Jesus told them that the greatest had to be a servant. He recognized that they had stuck with Him during His trials. Then He told them they would eat and drink at His table in His Kingdom and they would sit on thrones and rule over the 12 tribes of Israel. Jesus told Peter that before the rooster crowed 3 times, he would deny knowing Him. Jesus asked them to remember how He sent them out without purse, bag, or shoes and asked them if they ever lacked for anything. They didn't. Jesus advised them to get swords to protect themselves. They had a couple swords and Jesus said that was enough. After supper, Jesus went to the Mount of Olives as usual, and the disciples went with Him. He told them to pray that they would not fall into temptation, and He went about a stone's throw from them and knelt and prayed. He told God He would rather not have to do what came next, but He would do what God wanted. An angel from heaven came and minsitered to Jesus. In anguish he prayed more passionately and His sweat fell to the ground like drops of blood. He finished praying and went to where the disciples were and found them asleep, exhausted from grief. He woke them asking them why they slept, they needed to pray that they would not fall into temptation.
Tomorrow read Luke 22:47-24:23
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