Some moments in history get captured in the imagination. I remember the moment when the Challenger , exploded over the skies of Florida. I was watching the launch on TV, sitting in a small lunch place at the beach in New Jersey. I was working construction during the off-season. There were only two places to eat, this place and a small Chinese place. We alternated between the two. When the explosion happened, everyone in the place began to speculate about the fate of the astronauts. As I remember, I can see myself sitting there, head pointing upward at the screen, munching on my Reuben sandwich. The sandwich was really good, by the way.
Some moments get so captured in our imaginations that they end up in pictures. Leonardo da Vinci captured this moment in his imagination and painted one of the most famous painting in history, The Last Supper. The subtleties of expression and position tell his understanding of the event. Although many things in the painting don’t match with first century Jerusalem, it still has captured the imagination since being painted over 500 years ago.
The central message of our text is twofold: prediction and institution. Jesus predicts his betrayal and He institutes Communion for the Church. It is interesting that these two are placed side by side. Part of what we remember when we take communion is the ability of humans to do the worst things to each other. Judas was just like us. We are just like him.
And yet, Jesus died for us, and for Judas.
The reason Jesus is in Jerusalem with thousands of other Jews was the celebration of the Passover Feast, a required ceremony for every devout Jew. It was the focal point of the religious year. Every other sacrifice and ritual that was performed during their year pointed to Passover and the death of the lamb. That lamb’s death was the symbol of the consequences of sin. Sin required someone’s death. The lamb died in the place of firstborn. If the lamb didn’t die, the firstborn did.
A place had been chosen to eat this meal together, and preparations had to be made. I don’t know about you, but family gatherings can sometimes be difficult. It seems as though so many little things can go wrong, so many things that could tip the balance. Some families can’t get together without some huge drama. Guns get pulled, fists get thrown, drunken stumbles, shouts of rage and insult. I am so thankful for the family I have!
Looking back over the timeline of the texts’ few days, we can see how foolish the disciple’s denials became. They all betrayed Him! Although they all asked if it was them, they all became Judas. Judas might have taken the thirty pieces of silver, but every one of them walked away from Jesus. Every one of them turned their back.
And that is one of the central truths of the Good News. We all deserve to wear the label “Traitor”. And yet Jesus offers us forgiveness, friendship, fellowship, restoration. We gave Him death. He gives us life. He bore the penalty for our sin. He gives us the benefits of His righteousness. He got what He didn’t deserve so what we would get what we don’t deserve. He took what we deserved and we got what He deserves. What a great exchange.
The Arnold Journey 