The scene was the cenacle. There were two main events; the destruction of the old model of masters and slaves, and the institution of the new, giving one’s life so that others may live. Jesus was initiating a religious and social revolution and it was his final symbolic expression of his life’s mission, on the night before his crucifixion.
In the Jewish world of Jesus’ time more than 90% were peasants, dominated by domestic and foreign landlords. Poverty and destitution were outstanding characteristics of the social situation, many falling into increasing indebtedness.
Growing up in Nazareth as a pious Jew, he practiced the Law in accordance with the spirit of the Pharisees who practised separation from everyone and everything unclean. However, in his commitment to his Father’s mission he reached out in compassion to everyone in need, offering us an extraordinary maxim: Be compassionate as your heavenly Father is compassionate. (Lk 6:36).
The Foot Washing
While at supper Jesus leaves his place at table and begins a menial task, washing the feet of his companions. Servants wash the feet of their masters; masters do not wash the feet of their servants. Peter resisted this shocking reversal of roles: “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” (Jn13:6). If the Lord washes my feet how are we to be governed, was Peter’s question. How can we run the world except some have power and others obey?
Jesus tells Peter that unless he consents to the destruction of his former sense of how the world is patterned, he cannot enter the new life that he wishes to share with them. “You do not know what I am doing, but later you will understand” (v.7). Hasn’t he destroyed the temple? “You have called me Lord and master.” (vv. 2-13). You have been living in a world of lords and masters. Then he continued, “Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.” If the root causes are not attacked there will be new dominators and submissive peoples. The psychology of inequality is universal. It helps people find their ‘place’ in society. Jesus was symbolically destroying the whole concept of domination.
The Giving of One’s Life for Others
Jesus offers them another sign: Here is bread; this is my body. (In Aramaic ‘my body’ means my person,’ ‘my life’). This is my person, my life: it is for you. Eat it and receive it into yourselves! He shares his own life, his values and his attributes with them under the guise of food. He lives in the person to whom he is giving himself as nourishment. Then he adds: As I have done, so you are to do; become nourishment for one another that life may become more abundant among you.
Then he took the cup of blessing; “this is my life poured out for you.” Drink it and live! Now you must do the same. They are invited to lay down their lives for one another, even unto death. Then he asks them to remember him when he is gone, by living the kind of life that he lived. That was their last supper together; he was killed the next day.
