The institution of the Lord's supper is such a brief passage, so quick and matter of fact. Did they realize the real significance? Did they focus or were they lost in their own thoughts and conversation around the table? This is not really Christ's last supper -- with this full assembled group, yes. But He will appear to some of them on the shore and eat fish with them after His resurrection.
With the washing of the apostles feet, Jesus again shows them the proper role of leaders rather than that modeled by the religious leaders of the day. Judas is there. He hasn't fled yet. What transpired between Christ and Judas as Christ humbles Himself to wash His betrayers feet? Did the intimacy fill Judas with shame or did it blind him with a rage that Christ could not be the messiah, the king that would free them militarily, if he took such a vulnerable and humble position?
And now, as the moment for our betrayal approaches, Christ gives us this new commandment: "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." [John 13:34-35]
Simon is ready to lay down his life for Christ's. But what he is asked to do is live for Christ and that is far more difficult as Simon's denouncement will soon prove.
And then comes one of the most comforting verses in all the New Testament, a promise of a place and isn't that what we're all searching for in this world? A place and love. And here it is.
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going." [John 14:1-4]
What a powerful act of love -- the condemned is comforting those He leaves behind.
Before they go to the Mount of Olives, they sing a hymn together. I wonder what the words to that song were? What clues did it give? Wouldn't it be powerful to know that song? To sing the song that Christ sang?
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