Samantha, it is a great privilege to share what I understood here. Jesus often send his disciples out before Him. For them to GROW in FAITH! Let me explain on another accasion or even two experiences He had with His disciples. And this was one of those occasions where they had to experience the feast WITHOUT Jesus!
First when they were sailing across the sea, and Jesus walked on the water to them. There Peter and the disciples had to GROW in faith, and show faith.... So Jesus did not get in the boat with them, but when they were well away from land he came walking to them on the water.... Then the other time, was when Jesus was asleep in the stern or hinder part of the little ship. on a pillow. That is the part of the boat that would be shaken the least by a stormy sea. And since some of His disciples were fisherman, they wuold know when a storm is dangerous. Or when it is time to panic and get scared. Then they awoke him, as they felt He did not care if the ship would capsize and they would perish. Although Jesus was with them, He was not with them in the PANIC-BOAT... And when He calmed the sea He asked.... WHAY ARE YE SO FEARFUL? HOW IS IT THAT YE HAVE NO FAITH?
This is why Jesus had to send them ahead to the feast. THEY HAD TO GO TO GROW IN FAITH, WITHOUT HIM, HIS TIME TO GO, WAS AS SOON AS THEY HAD WENT! The moment they left, was HIS TIME TO GO! He was not supposed to accompany them there, and they were not to know when He would be there, or that He would be there at all. They had to do the feast to grow without Him!
That is how easy it is to get God's meaning and Word on our hearts. If you have a question about the Word of God, go to the AUTHOR, God Himself and ASK for a revelation about the Word. HE LOVES SHARING! And to those that listen,,,, IT IS REVEALED!