We, of the Symbiosis…A Story of the Last Supper

“It’s late, Peter…” Andrew reminded him, after sending out for the wine.

Peter was the host. He was not doing a good job of it either. The reason? No servants to help.  There were always volunteers who joined them to help out their beloved teacher.  This time, not.  To this, the atmosphere among the band of followers was about as bad as it could get. Too much dissension and all the teacher's recent talk of death…

'How had everything changed so quickly?' Peter wondered, not for the first time.

“…”

Jesus heard his heavenly father’s voice, and he felt his concern for him even more, as events were racing ahead now. The time had passed so quickly.

"So much more could have been done…"  he thought, also not for the first time.

“…”

Jesus smiled to himself at His Father's answer. His was the answer each generation of his children would receive for itself. 'Yes, I have become just like them in that, so dependent on your word, your strength!' his prayer resounded. 'Under the sun, time is never enough.' 

He looked up and saw that his followers were ready. All but the lost soul.   Jesus knew Peter was floundering, the others so distraught...

“…”

Yes, indeed; your lessons are the best.

So he stood, and tied the towel around his waist after laying aside his outer robe. The water for washing feet was prepared, and the basin and towels were readied. He went to his followers, who were taken aback when realizing what their teacher would do. Bowing before them, one by one, he took off their dirt-caked sandals and washed their feet.

Numb, each in turn watched their teacher do for them what they would not do for each other.  They were deaf to the prayers being lifted for each of them while he washed.

“…”

They are weary, so much has happened this week. The opposition, the teaching, Lazarus returning to life…

“…”

I know I make excuses for them… the lessons have been many. Especially this past week. They are not complete yet. Humility, love, and service are the final lessons they have not yet learned. They will comprehend, later… 

Jesus sighed.

“Judas. You are next.” Jesus said, softer than he had wanted but his voice held firm.

 He knows... The enemy's shadow is upon him now.

The betrayer did not look at him. His teacher saw him anyway.

He is lost, a heart of stone, Father, …the prophecy will be fulfilled... Our value has been set...**

Peter was the host, yet he only felt his mistakes. He grew more irritated as he watched his teacher drawing near. He should have done this for them but he had not been able to bring himself to perform the menial task. He had failed, yet again...

Jesus slid the basin of now brown water to Simon Peter.

“Lord, are you going to wash my feet?" His follower barely got out, not a little ashamed.

“Peter, you don’t realize now what I am doing, but later you will.” his teacher replied, bowing down to remove his sandals.

“No,” the follower shook his head, “you shall never wash my feet.” He went to stand.

“…”

I know. Tonight will be the breaking point for this, my dear brother. How he will suffer! Strengthen him, father,…

“Unless I wash you, you have no part with me,” Jesus stated, simply.

Then Jesus felt his tempestuous follower's display when under pressure.

His teacher's reply sought to calm his turmoil, “A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you, you… are… clean, Peter,” Jesus replied gently, holding his legs as he dried them. Then, he stood and turned, looking at the rest, “though not every one of you is.”

He could not look at him, that heart of roiling turmoil which was Judas. Jesus knew what he planned, and how he had met with his enemies, and the price for his head.  Now the stage was set, no turning back, for either of them...

Jesus took his robe, more weary than ever, and took his place again.

“Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them, looking about, “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am.”*

“…”

Once again they have hearts to hear, Father. How tender they are now.  Thank you!  Jesus saw their despair was held at bay but knew this was only the beginning of the night of horrors.

“Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you….No servant is greater than his master…now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.”*

The betrayer stood abruptly and left, mumbling something about the poor.

The denier was warned, knowing nothing more of his weakness. Yet. One more failure awaited him.

The last teaching was given, the last supper was celebrated, and the last hymn sung.

It was time. Then he lifted them all, both present and future children, to his Father's care again.

“…”

Yes, Father. It is time.

*Quotes, story based on the gospel of John, chapter 13 (NIV version).                                                                          **Zechariah 11:12,13.

Art: The Servant, by Yongsung Kim at Havenlight.com, is found on Pinterest.