3.         the disciples inquiry routinely

26:17-18

 

26:17-18  Now on the first day of unleavened bread the disciples  approached Jesus saying  “Where do you want us to eat the Passover so we may prepare for you?” So he said “Go into the

city to “so and so” and say to him “The teacher says.  “My time is near and I want to make the Passover with you and my disciples.”

 

4.         the disciples follow instructions with some disinterest.

26:19

 

26:19  So (then) the disciples did as Jesus had told them

and prepared the Passover

 

5.         the twelve disciples deny betrayal

26:20-25

 

26:20-25  When evening came he reclined with the twelve disciples.  As they were eating he said. “Truly I tell you that one of you will betray me.”  Grieving exceedingly they began to say to him one by one.  “Is it me Lord?”  And he answering said  “The one dipping his hand in the dish with me.  This man will betray me.  Indeed what will

happen with the Son of man is as it has been written concerning him.  But woe to that man through whom the Son of man is betrayed.  It would be better for him if that man had not been born.  And answering, Judas, the one betraying him, said  “Is it me rabbi?”  He says to him “You said it.

 

 

6.         the disciples initiated into covenant

26:26-29

 

26:26-29  As they were eating Jesus took a loaf of bread and blessing it he broke it and gave it to his disciples saying “Take and eat.  This is my body.”  And taking a cup and giving thanks he gave it to them saying  “Drink all of it, for this is

the blood of my covenant.  This is the covenant of blood being shed for the forgiveness of sins for many.  I tell you by no means will drink from now on of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it with you again in the kingdom of my Father."

 

Elsewhere in the gospels e.g. in John, Jesus is talking about the need for the grain of wheat to die in order to bring forth new growth.  Jesus knew in his life it was inevitable his course of ‘balance’ would clash with both the leaders of Judaism and those imposing Roman Order.  He knew that in a sense his death would ‘free up’