By Timothy W. Burnett
According to Matthew 26:17 the disciples asked Jesus, "Where will you have us to prepare for you to eat the passover?" (See also Mark 14:12 and John 13:1). And he said, "Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, 'the Master says, 'My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at your house with my disciples.''" More information can be found in Mark 14:13-14, "And he sent forth two of his disciples and said unto them, 'Go into the city and there shall you meet a man bearing a pitcher of water: follow him. And where ever he shall go in, say to the goodman of the house, 'The Master says, 'Where is the guest chamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples?' And he will show you a large upper room furnished and prepared: there make ready for us." This room was to be used to get ready for the passover as well as to eventually eat the passover.
Prior to the meal, the party would have practiced the custom of washing feet. This record is found in John 13:1-22. In verse 2, the phrase "supper being ended" is better translated "supper being laid" or "supper having been served" (Bullinger's notes in The Companion Bible, p.1553). The washing of the feet would have occurred just after the meal was served and prior to eating. Verses 4-20 give the record of Jesus teaching his disciples about serving one another. He also taught on the importance of the cleansing that would be made available through Jesus Christ. This is a great teaching on the relationship between those within the body of Christ today. When Jesus came to Peter, he foolishly said, "You shall never wash my feet." Jesus wisely answered, "If I do not wash you, you have no part with me." Then Peter wisely responded, "Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head." After he did this he sat down and explained it to them as recorded in verses 13-17, "You call me Master and Lord: and you say well; for I am so. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, the servant is not greater than his Lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If you know these things, happy are you if you do them." He gave them a simple and fantastic example of serving one another in the body and finished by reminding them that if they know these things, happy are they if they do them. It's one thing to know the truth, but another thing to do it.
Jesus then gave his first prophecy that one of them would betray him
(John 13:18-22). In response, his disciples looked at one another and pondered on his words. Next week we will continue with the records after they sat down to eat.
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