The perfect Passover meal?

¹⁷ On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?”

¹⁸ He replied, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.’” ¹⁹ So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover.

²⁰ When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. ²¹ And while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.”

²² They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, “Surely you don’t mean me, Lord?”

²³ Jesus replied, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. ²⁴ The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.”

²⁵ Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?”

Jesus answered, “You have said so.”

²⁶ While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”

²⁷ Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. ²⁸ This is my blood of the^[b] covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. ²⁹ I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

³⁰ When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

 

I am Ivan, a wine steward by trade, but since I worked the Cana wedding I left it all behind and became the master’s disciple. Tonight was filled with meaning and symbolism for me as I had the chance to reflect on my last few years with Jesus in this community of truth he has established.  Tonight we became one in a way I never thought possible.  It was a beautiful night.

We were all looking forward to the feast of unleavened bread. Many of us worked fast and furious once we found a place to have the meal. For me, it was nothing; I am so used to meals, large crowds, fitting everyone in a room.  I can walk into a room and see in my head exactly how the seating will work best.  I know where to place the wine jars and how the food should be placed to make things easy for the servants. I am familiar with how the guests of honor need to be seated.  So, I was at my best running around at the last minute setting up the “perfect” Passover meal.  I know Jesus was grateful as he came right over to me when he came through the door. He looked graciously right into my eyes and said, “Ivan, thank you”.  He is always so aware of the people that make life a bit easier for him.  Gratitude is one of Jesus’ most stunning qualities. What is so beautiful is that he appreciates our unique talents and is grateful whenever we are using them, he is satisfied with whatever we give, no matter what the skill or gift or talent, and no one’s contribution is less valued than another’s.

Serving the meal went really well, although there were a couple of disturbing disruptions. The first was about someone who would betray Jesus.  The 12 got really upset as there has been so much talk about threats against Jesus this week. They were alarmed immediately when Jesus started talking this way.  Each in turn defended himself, saying, not me!  They always ask Jesus, never declaring anything, because they have come to realize he knows their hearts even better than they do.  So most of them said, “Not I,” with a question mark in their tone, but I could actually hear the opposite, NOT I – as if they were saying I would never do that!  Until it came to Judas Iscariot.  Everyone has been suspicious of him lately, so at first I thought they were making him feel guilty, but then Jesus looked directly into Judas’ eyes and with the truth we all have come to recognize in the master, he accused him.  I used to think Judas was a good enough guy, although a bit misguided and hot-headed. Tonight, after he went running out of the room, we all knew the truth; we knew he was anything but Jesus’ friend.

The best part of the night for me was when Jesus said the traditional Passover Prayers.  True to his own style, he brought new meaning to them. I paid particular attention to the prayers over the wine as that is always my favorite part. Tonight Jesus said something I will never forget, it was so powerful, predictive and poetic. He took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to us saying, “Drink from it, all of you.  This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you; I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

I think I know what he meant. I think he has given his life for us, his blood, sweat and tears, each day, morning to night.  His unselfish giving has brought us so close together that we are one.  His blood, his life is at the center of us.  He has given us a chance to be a family and to begin new lives, leaving our past sins behind.  His life has given us a new start.  Each of us in that room tonight has been given the chance to re-new the ancient Abrahamic covenant, through the life Jesus has given us. 

I am confused though about us not drinking from the fruit of the vine until we are in God’s kingdom. I know it couldn’t be that we will run out the wine that came from this vineyard.  Trust me; Jesus would never let the wine run out.  I saw the look on Peter’s face when Jesus said this, and it was very disturbing.  Peter looked panicked.  Does it mean, God’s kingdom will be fulfilled soon, or could it be the end of the world? This was the second most disturbing thing to me, the look on Peter’s face when Jesus said this.  I wonder if Peter knows something the rest of us do not.  It couldn’t mean Jesus will die soon, could it????

Soon after this, Jesus and the eleven left and went to Mt Olives to the garden. It is so beautiful there, one can see the entire city, and on a beautiful night like this, it will be the perfect ending to an almost perfect meal.  I am cleaning up with the others. The sooner we get done, the sooner we too can head up to the garden for some evening peace.

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Dear God, I am so grateful to live one step at a time, not having foresight into the next moment.  May I live today’s moment only, may I walk it in faith, not giving into yesterday’s guilt or tomorrow’s fear. Amen.