Last updated on November 1, 2024
Today’s passage tells the story of Jesus’ last few hours in an upper room with his disciples. It begins with Jesus initiating a ritual that is repeated in churches worldwide even today. He takes break, breaks it, and shares it with them, telling them that when they break the bread together, they are remembering what he is about to do. He then take the cup of wine and says that it signifies his blood that is about to be shed. Once again, when they drink it they are reminded of his sacrifice.
The disciples then do the unthinkable. They once again begin to argue about the roles that they will play in the coming kingdom. Rather than yell at them, which I would have likely done, Jesus models humility for them. He washed his disciples’ feet, something a rabbi wouldn’t normally do for his disciples.
Jesus then calls out Judas. He identifies him as the one who will betray him, and then he tells Judas to leave and do what he’s planning.
Finally, Peter, inspired by the acts of Jesus and frustrated by the response of Judas, decides to let Jesus know how committed he is. He tells Jesus that he is ready to go to prison or even to death with Jesus.
Jesus pauses, and then says, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you even know me” (Luke 22:34).
Peter thinks there’s no way this could ever be the case, but a lot is going to change in the coming hours.