The Day of the Feast of Passover had arrived, and celebration filled the air. Recognition of the miracle of the final plague in Egypt that convinced Pharaoh to release the Jews from their 430 years of captivity was on the minds of all who had made the pilgrimage to Jerusalem for the Feast.

As Jesus and His followers gathered to celebrate the Passover (Seder) meal, Caleb begged his father to join him in secretly observing the activity through an access window. As they watched, they were amazed at what they saw.

It was customary to wash one’s feet upon entering a home to share a meal. But what happened next was unheard of. Jesus, the Teacher, humbled Himself before His followers. Caleb and his father were astonished to see Jesus rise from the table during the meal, remove His outer cloak, kneel down, and invite His followers to allow Him to wash their feet. All accepted except Simon Peter, who strongly objected. Jesus responded, “If I do not wash you, you do not belong to Me.” It was then that Simon Peter began to sense the gravity of what was unfolding. He told Jesus not only to wash his feet, but to wash him completely. What Jesus said next puzzled everyone. He explained that one who is already clean needs only to wash his feet, but that there was one among them who was not clean.

Jesus already knew that during the meal the devil had put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot to betray Him and thus fulfill His destiny. What Simon Peter, the others, and young Caleb did not understand was that someone in the room would be disloyal to Jesus. Jesus then addressed the group and explained that in order to fulfill His Father’s will, someone present would betray Him. The room was aghast. Caleb saw Simon Peter lean toward John, the beloved disciple, urging him to ask Jesus who it was. Jesus answered that it would be the one to whom He gave the piece of matzah, the unleavened bread. When He handed it to Judas, He said, “What you are about to do, do quickly.” Only John and Simon Peter understood what He meant.

Caleb broke his silence. “Father, where is that man going? Why does he leave while the others stay?”

Benjamin’s brow furrowed. “I am not certain, son, but remember the words David wrote: ‘Even my close friend, in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me.’”

“You mean this is part of God’s plan?” Caleb asked. “That the prophets foretold the Messiah would be betrayed?”

Benjamin answered softly, “We are seeing ancient words come to life before our eyes.”

As the evening continued, Jesus began telling the disciples that He was going away. Simon Peter insisted he wanted to go with Him. Jesus replied, “Where I am going, you cannot follow now.” Simon Peter persisted, declaring he would lay down his life for Jesus. Jesus, troubled, answered, “Will you? Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.”

Jesus then began to teach. Caleb was thrilled, for he longed to hear the teachings of the Man many believed to be Yeshua, the Messiah.

He taught them about the way to the Father’s house, declaring, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” He explained the role of the Believer’s Helper—the Counselor, Comforter, Encourager, and Advocate—and how those who love Him and keep His commands would receive this Helper, sent by the Father at His request.

He shared a parable describing the structure of the Kingdom of God, using the imagery of a Gardener (the Father), a Vine (Jesus, His Son), and the Believers (His followers), illustrating how the Father’s love flows through them. He also spoke truthfully about how they, along with Him, would be hated in the world. Yet He assured them He would remain with them through every circumstance, just as He was loved by the Father and the Father loved them for loving Him.

“When the Spirit of Truth comes,” He said, “He will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on His own, but whatever He hears from the Father, He will tell you. He will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify Me, because He will take what is Mine and declare it to you. Everything that the Father has is Mine. For this reason, I said the Spirit will take from what is Mine and declare it to you.”

The most difficult part of His teaching was His final point: His death and resurrection. He knew they would not fully understand until they witnessed its fulfillment.

He concluded the Passover celebration in prayer, glorifying the Father, praying for His disciples, and interceding on behalf of all believers.