It Was Night

Reflection Holy Thursday 2016

The night is tense and filled with rituals  remembering Moses and Aaron and the Passover instructions, and John the Baptist already set up the night when he called Jesus “the Lamb of God” reflecting the first Passover meal and connecting it to this night.

Jesus, knowing His hour had come, breaks from the tradition.  There is something new here.  Jesus takes off His outer garments and very deliberately takes each disciple’s foot and washes them.

“He rose from supper and took off his outer garments. He took a towel and tied it around his waist.  Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and dry them with the towel around his waist.” John 13:4,5

After Peter contested this and very honestly tells Jesus that he will always be there to support Him, Jesus, tells of a betrayal using familiar words from a psalm of David.

           

“He who shares my table takes advantage of me.” John 13:18

Jesus doesn’t reveal the betrayer in front of the others and Judas now realizes that Christ will remain silent.  There is only instruction from Jesus to Judas.

“What you are going to do, do quickly.” John 13:28 29

It was night.