Angi Aymond

MATTHEW 26; LUKE 22; MARK 14; JOHN  13-15

It’s Thursday.

Jesus and His Twelve return to Jerusalem, for the time of Passover was close.

Can you hear the cacophony, too many people in the streets that normally held a few now strain under the weight of many.  The pushing and shoving, everyone hustling to find a place.

Thankfully, there’s a place  reserved for Jesus and His twelve. A borrowed room above the noise.

The sun is finding the horizon;  the group gathers.

Can you see them? Around the table, a bit crowded, each man leaning forward, left arm propped,  legs stretching behind them.

The food is satisfying. The conversation robust. The conversation is getting heated. Pride building. Huffing. They argue about who is the greatest?

These men—still reaching, still measuring themselves against one another. The tension rises. Voices sharpen. Pride swells.

What’s that I hear? Is that water? Ahhh, yes. Long water finding a basin.

Wait. The room quiets.

Jesus unwraps His outer garment. Bending low, He lays a towel across His knee. He begins to wash the feet of these people He loves beyond all reason.

One by one He washes…
The outspoken one.
The unsure one.
The devoted one.
And even…
the one who will betray Him.
He doesn’t skip him.
He doesn’t hesitate.

He’s teaching again. Those gathered in the room. (To you. To me.) With His words and by His actions.

If you want to be great, watch Me. Do what I do. Bend low. Serve. Love without holding back. 

This is how.

Jesus finds His place again at the table. Next to the disciple whom He loved. Oh, Jesus loved them all. That little phrase used by the writer of the fourth gospel was proof enough that he had experienced His love to the full. He rested in it.

The atmosphere is changing. 

What did He say? He can’t mean me! It would never be me, Jesus!

One is prodding the other…

Ask Him who He means.

Jesus takes a piece of bread and sops it into a bowl, offering it to one of the twelve.

An act of love.
A final offering.
A quiet invitation to confess. To turn back.

Ahh. But he ate.

Jesus passes the wine and breaks the bread. While they eat and drink He offers a new covenant. A new reminder.

Did Jesus say a new covenant?

His body will be the last perfect Lamb. A sacrifice that won’t need repeating.

A final sacrifice?

I think  I saw someone slip away.  Do you see him, too? Who was it?

I’m not sure I understand. Do the disciples  understand what Jesus is saying? No. Not yet. But the room fills with song just the same.

Wait. They are filing out, but where are they going?

Ahh. Yes. The garden. Near the Mount of Olives. Jesus loves to teach in that place.

What? Jesus just warned Peter of his weakness? I can’t believe it.

Neither can Peter! 

Peter recoils.

Never! Jesus, I would never!

Three times, Peter. Before the rooster crows.

Jesus leaves some of the disciples, taking only His closets further into the garden.

Jesus prays like He’s never prayed before, the weight of His obedience causing blood sweat to fall from His brow.  Did you hear those last two lines? 

“Father, take it from me. But not my will, only Yours.”

He’s praying for another way,  but surrendering just the same.

What’s that noise? What’s happening? What’s happening!?

The one who slipped away has returned.

With a kiss. And a sword.

Father, I’m so grateful to know what these men didn’t. And because I know the rest of the story, Jesus, may I never betray You for lesser things. Nor deny You for my own comfort. May I be willing to wash the feet of those who can’t love me in return. May I love well the one anothers in my circle of influence. Father, dare I say it…

I surrender all. Amen.