Chapter 8: What He Left Them

Before they left the upper room, Jesus spoke to his disciples at length. He knew what was waiting for him on the other side of that door. Every word he said was chosen with that knowledge.

He told them not to let their hearts be troubled. He was going to prepare a place for them and would come back for them. Thomas, never one to stay quiet when confused, asked the question the others were probably thinking.

THOMAS“Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?”— John 14:5

JESUS“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”— John 14:6

He then promised them a Helper, the Spirit of truth, who would be with them after he was gone. He would not leave them as orphans. The Spirit would teach them, remind them of everything he had said, and stay with them permanently in a way his physical presence could not.

Then he offered them something the world could not manufacture or take away.

JESUS“Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”— John 14:27

JESUS“But take heart. I have overcome the world.”— John 16:33

He was hours away from his arrest. He was the one giving peace, not receiving it.

According to Matthew's Gospel, before they left the upper room, they sang a hymn together — the traditional Hallel that every Jewish family sang to close the Passover feast.

When the hymn was finished, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Eleven men had just eaten together, sung together, and heard things they did not yet understand. The bread was broken. The cup had been passed. A seat at the table was empty. And somewhere in the city, a man with thirty pieces of silver was waiting for the right moment.

The hymn was still echoing in the streets when the torches were being lit.

To be continued.