Jesus spent Thursday evening with His disciples in the upper room having a Passover meal.
This is the day many had waited for, the day of Deliverance. Those that surrounded Jesus saw Passover as the ideal time for Him to grasp His kingship. This would have great meaning to the Jews, making a connection to Moses and the deliverance out of slavery from Egypt. The Messiah was to come and save the people, so throughout the week as Passover grew near, the people were expectant for something incredible to happen.
The disciples asked Jesus where they were to celebrate the Passover feast. As usual, the preparation was in the hands of God, and Jesus gave them instructions – where to go, who to see. As the evening drew close, the disciples gathered in the upper room, ready to celebrate this meaningful night with their Lord.
The evening did not go as they’d hoped. Rather than speak about being a king, Jesus spoke of being a servant. He spoke of death, betrayal and denial. Peter, as usual, made great claims of his love for Jesus and his willingness to even die. Jesus told him that he would, that very evening, deny Him three times. Jesus knew Judas was the betrayer, and was clearly in control as He told Judas to do the task quickly. The disciples were confused by the words of Jesus, and became agitated as the vision they had of a kingdom began to fall apart before their eyes.
Even in the midst of betrayal and denial, Jesus comforted His disciples. He promised them the Holy Spirit, that they might continue His work after His death. He established a new covenant with the people, one of life, hope and remembrance.
John tells us that Jesus got up during the feast and got a bowl of water. He went around the table washing His disciples' feet. It was a poignant moment, a teaching moment. Jesus was telling them that they were called to be servants and He gave them a new commandment. "Love one another." That love is not just a love with words, but a love with deeds. He was their Lord and Teacher, but He was willing to lower Himself to a humble place to do the work of a slave. They were called to do the same. "The student is not greater than the teacher," He said.
Jesus also gave them a new covenant. During the dinner, He took the bread, gave thanks and broke it, giving it to His disciples. "This is my body, given for you." Then, after the supper, He took the cup, blessed it and gave it to His disciples. "This is my blood, given for you." He told them that whenever they should share the bread and the cup often, in remembrance of Him. We still join in that feast, along with the first disciples and all the Christians from every time and place. It is a foretaste of the feast to come. It is a glimpse of the Promise of eternal life. In that day we will share an even greater feast, but as we gather together and share the sacrament, we escape time and place to gather with all the saints in remembrance of Christ Jesus. At that brief moment in time, we embrace the timelessness of God's promises and see what we will enjoy when we share in His Glory.
