Significant encounter - Jesus at the Last Supper

If you had fore knowledge that you were going to be killed you would feel a distinct unease, you would reconsider how you used your last hours wouldn't you? Your life would all of a sudden be in sharp focus.

Luke and John's gospel account of Holy Thursday give us insights into both the humanity of Jesus and into his God understanding of what was going on. Fully human and yet fully divine he was subject to human emotion and human fear whilst also knowing what was before him. I am not sure we can understand at  all what that felt like but we can empathise with the fear.

He uses his last hours before his arrest 

• to celebrate the passover feast and within the framework of that Jewish ritual to institute the gift of communion among his followers. A gift that encourages us to be united. But most importantly a New Covenant "sealed with my blood and poured out for you."
• He uses his last hours to have a long conversation with his disciples. What he said is a bit like a last will and testament in that he talks of the things that are most important to him so that we as followers can be faithful to his vision. The fullest version is recorded in Chapters 12 through to 18 of John's gospel and talks of radical things. such as what it means to have a servant heart, how God is making friends with humankind, what it means to be part of the vine and then he "prays that they may all be one"
• Jesus washes the disciples feet. An extraordinary act of humility. “You call me Teacher and Lord, and it is right that you do so, because that is what I am.  I, your Lord and Teacher, have just washed your feet. You, then, should wash one another's feet.  I have set an example for you, so that you will do just what I have done for you.  I am telling you the truth: no slaves are greater than their master, and no messengers are greater than the one who sent them.  Now that you know this truth, how happy you will be if you put it into practice!"
• His meal is shared with the twelve, two of whom were betrayers. We tend to think only of Judas. But  Peter's denial is predicted although he subsequently seeks forgiveness and is then  forgiven 
• He reassures his disciples and promises them that the advocate, the Holy Spirit will come.
• Finally  when the meal is over Jesus spends some time alone in the garden of Gethsemane.  In crisis  both ritual and meditation are things to hold onto.

When we think of the enormity of those last hours of Jesus before his crucifixion and read the words recorded in John's gospel, we are so challenged. Are we true disciples or are we like Peter or Judas?  Do we betray the gospel through lack of courage like Peter? Or sell out the gospel like Judas?

To understand the mind of Jesus go to John Chapter 12 and read. Jesus can challenge you again today just as he did his disciples.

“Whoever believes in me believes not only in me but also in him who sent me.  Whoever sees me sees also him who sent me.  I have come into the world as light, so that everyone who believes in me should not remain in the darkness.  If people hear my message and do not obey it, I will not judge them. I came, not to judge the world, but to save it.  Those who reject me and do not accept my message have one who will judge them. The words I have spoken will be their judge on the last day!  This is true, because I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has commanded me what I must say and speak.  And I know that his command brings eternal life. What I say, then, is what the Father has told me to say.”