Jesus, The Last Supper and Hospitality-2

Chapel Lawn Cemetery, Headingly, Manitoba

The Last Supper! The last moments of love and care during the passion of Jesus. There are endless lessons for each believer as we observe the great event the evening before the crucifixion.

Consider that event as hospitality, perhaps a new thought. At Passover, the master of the house was to receive his household, preparing the food and bringing everyone together. (Ex 12:3 "Each man is to take a lamb for his family.")

Since Jesus didn't own property, one of his friends provided the Upper Room as a safe place to meet. That friend provided the meal for thirteen men. He didn't send a servant, so at the Last Supper Jesus ended up being both the Host and the Servant. (!)

First, as a Servant. At an evening meal, each person reclined at a table; three persons lay on their left side on a couch. In the center, a small square table held the food. The disciples had already entered. They entered with dusty feet and Jesus welcomed them one by one. He led them to the couches around the table. Then, before the meal began, he took off his outer garment. He wrapped a towel around his waist, the towel of a servant. He went around the back of the couches and washed his disciples feet, for their feet were pointing away from the table.

"Do you know what I have done for you?" he asked. "You call me teacher and Lord, and rightly so,

Statue from 4th Century, Archaeological Museum, Istanbul

for that is what I am. 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." John 13:12-15.

Then Jesus changed from being a servant at the meal. Now he was the host at the Passover supper.  Amazingly, he, as the host, invited Judas, the one he knew was going to betray him, to be at the best place. Here was Judas at the place of honor, right beside Jesus himself.

John and Peter conversed, asking what Jesus meant by saying, "One of you will betray me."

At the Last Supper, all the images, all the "I am's" came together in a glorious moment.

Vineyards at ancient Philadelphia (Alasehir), Turkey

1. The Bread - "I am the bread of life"
2. The Wine - "I am the vine, you are the branches"
3. Lamps burning in the Upper Room - I am the light of the world."
4. Safety in the Upper Room - I am the door"
5. Jesus with disciples - "I am the good shepherd"
6. The New Covenant - "I am the way, the truth, the life"
7. Jesus breaking the bread - "I am the resurrection and the life"
8. The meal - Jesus is the Pascal Lamb - the Passover lamb.
9. Conversation around the table - "The Lamb who takes away the sin of the world.