Snapshots - Jesus through the Lens of History

"Dinner for Thirteen, please."

Scent and smell trigger memories better than any other sense we have. Catch the scent of cut grass and you are back playing tag with your friends. The aroma of onions and celery coming from the neighbors’ houses brings the vision of Thanksgiving dinner and your mouth begins to water. The sweet fragrance of a baby’s soft hair triggers the thought of having another child. Now, take a good sniff, and across centuries of time you can catch the scent of cooking fires and roasting lamb from the city of Jerusalem. It is time for the Passover meal in the first century. Let’s not be late.

Quietly enter the large room where a particular Passover dinner has already begun. We find Jesus and his apostles being served by several women, clearly close friends and family members. For hundreds of years this particular dinner ceremony has been observed and includes four ritual servings of wine. Notice that Jesus leads each part of the ritual meal, explaining carefully and then personally refining each explanation.



       Look closely at the attendees – some are chatting with each other, some are watching Jesus with glowing love, and there is one that sits sulky and disappointed. Jesus has not lived up to his political expectations. 

       Now look closely at Jesus – he is not his usual lighthearted self. He seems serious, slightly subdued and, yes, somehow sad. His eyes rest on each one in the room with love and then stops for a moment on the only attendee nervous and grumpy, fidgeting in his seat. Their eyes meet – Jesus knows and understands, and the apostle knows that Jesus knows. We watch as both their hearts break, just a little.

       What is actually said, we will never truly know. But, when the dinner is complete, Jesus slowly leaves. His heart is heavy and he has much to ask of God this night. . .

        . . .and we will be back to see what the rest of this night brings.