Jesus Shares the Passover Seder with His Apostles, and the Washing of the Feet
Posted on March 28, 2013 by Elizabeth Kirkley Best
Jesus Share the Passover Dinner with his Apostles
Jesus, the betrayal of Judas already in the works after his anointing for burial,
instructs his disciples regarding preparations for his last Passover Supper with them. Two days elapse and the disciples and Jesus finally arrive at the evening of the Passover Dinner. The Passover dinner, commemorating the great work of God in saving his people, the Children of Israel alive in Egypt was commandedto be observed several times in the Scriptures:
That ye shall say, It [is] the sacrifice of the LORD’S passover, who passed overthe houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, anddelivered our houses. And the people bowed the head and worshipped. Exodus 12:27(See all of Exodus 27)
Let the children of Israel also keep the passover at his appointed season. Numbers 9:2Observe the month of Abib, and keep the passover unto the LORD thy God: for inthe month of Abib the LORD thy God brought thee forth out of Egypt by night.Deuteronomy 16:1
In addition to the command to keep the Passover, the dinner Christ eats with the apostles at the Last Supper before the crucifixion, there were a few times during the course of Israel’s history when they neglected to celebrate the Passover and had to re-establish the Passover dinner to be right with God and come again under his protection and blessing. Two of these times include the return from Exile described in Ezra and Nehemiah, and in the days of Josiah when portions of the Torah were discovered in the wall:
And the king commanded all the people, saying, Keep the Passover unto the LORD
your God, as [it is] written in the book of this covenant. Surely there was not
holden such a Passover from the days of the judges that judged Israel, nor in
all the days of the kings of Israel, nor of the kings of Judah; 2 Kings 23:21-2
For the priests and the Levites were purified together, all of them [were] pure,
and killed the Passover for all the children of the captivity, and for their
brethren the priests, and for themselves. Ezra 6:20
Israel at times forgot another critical holy day, the Feast of Tabernacles such as in Ezra 3:4 and Zechariah 14:16-18, when it is noted that the festival of Sukkot, or Tabernacles will be kept by all nations coming up to the Summit of Jerusalem, in order to receive the blessing of rain accorded to those who obey God and favor the children of the Prophets, the Jews. With this sense of importance, and the commandment of God, Jesus meets with his disciples for the last time during his earthly ministry for the ‘last supper’ which commemorates:
1. The Sacrifice of a Lamb
2. The Blood on the Door which Saves Israel’s firstborn from death, and
3. The commemoration of the bitter sufferings of Israel in the Wilderness,
until the promised land would come into view.
The Seder dinner which is set before the the disciples of Yshua, includes wine, bitter herbs which commemorate the bitterness of life in the wilderness, the bread of covenant and other items: today each item is set in array on a seder plate, and eaten sequentially, recalling the struggles and deliverance of the Children of Israel, over 3500 years since there release from Egypt.
It is easy to see why this last supper was so significant, beyond the paintings and its mention in certain services: the supper would not only be the traditional Passover, but will point to the work of God about to occur. The supper though, not only points to the suffering and passion about to
take place, but to its meaning to Israel, and it also encompasses several facets (not in exact order:
1. The prophetic revelation of the betrayal of Judas (John 13:26)
Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped [it]. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave [it] to Judas Iscariot, [the son] of Simon.
2. The beautiful prayers and proclamations of the Messiah in declaring who he is, and praying for his apostles and disciples when he is gone (John 15-17) *
*We often separate these prayers into a separate category, but they appear only in the Gospel of John, and are chronologically in the events of the Last Supper.
3. The Washing of the Apostles’ Feet as a sign of Servant-hood and humility John 13:5
4. The breaking of the bread of Covenant, and (Matthew 26:26)
5. The Offering of the Wine, the blood of the New Covenant.(Matthew 26:27)
Due to time limitations in this series, we have skipped over the triumphal entry and preparation of the dinner, and since we have in the last study dealt with the betrayal of Judas, in this study we will concentrate on the Washing of the Apostles Feet, and the breaking of the bread and wine, setting apart those other topics for a more in-depth treatment in the future.
Christ Will Gird Himself & Serve Us, With Sweet Manna, All Around:
The Washing of the feet of the disciples. While not endorsing Catholic doctrine, it was interesting that in the writing of this, the Roman church’s new Pope Frances was noted on the news as going to an Italian prison and washing the feet of 10 young prisoners in a ‘Holy Week’ service representing the humility of Christ. I have also seen this as an institutional ‘service’ like communion performed once a year at a Grace Brethren church as a foot-washing service in which the congregation gathers for a dinner followed by the ceremonial washing of one another’s feet. The point of the foot washing though, was not to institute another religious ceremony set in stone, but to point to the life and heart that Messiah, who ‘thought it not robbery’ to declare his Sonship,
Jesus girds himself, much to the chagrin of some Baptist churches, wearing something akin to shorts, and begins to wash the disciples’ feet. It is a deeply humbling act to wash someone else’s feet. In the times of Yshua, foot washing was not a ceremony, but an act by most walking into a house off of dirty roads: something akin to the mothers of today insisting that shoes be removed at the front door so that one does not track mud through the house. In those days though, it was also considered a courteous greeting for guests, implying sympathy and respect for their journey and their presence among friends. When the woman at Simon the Leper’s house washes Jesus’ feet with her tears, the men are appalled, questioning Jesus why he let a woman of ill repute touch him, he replies:
He commends not his host as human courtesy expects, but he commends the despised woman thought to be so lowly compared to the guests at the dinner, for he washing of his feet, an expected grace that had not been offered him. He is commending not the expected or ceremonial act, but the heartfelt humility of counting another better than themselves and taking on the servant’s heart and role, to better and comfort another person. How unusual that must seem to many in today’s push and shove world! Now, here at the Supper, the LORD himself, girds himself with a linen cloth and washes the feet of his disciples who object, seeing that he is far superior in every way, in rank, in stature, and certainly in power, knowledge and love, and they are seemingly humble in their not wishing to have him provide the simple service or treating them with the dignity reserved to a favored guest.
As soon as he is finished though, he asks them why they think he did this for them. He answers his own question, in telling them that he is indeed their Master, or rabbi or teacher, and that what was done was a lesson: that in serving in humility, it is not rank, order or superiority, but love that is at issue. He directs them to ‘wash ye one another’s feet’ because he is indeed their superior: how could God incarnate be otherwise. If he is without question above them in every way, and if he steps down from his divine post to take the role of the lowliest and least, how can any of us bear any excuse or
expectation why we should not do likewise? Who is to boast in rank or excellence before the serving Messiah, the servant King? Who is above any task that is given on earth, whether it be the washing of feet, the cleaning of pews, the cutting of grass or any other? In Church today we so often seen certain tasks as beneath our dignity when we have reached a certain level,such as deacon, pastor or teacher.
After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe [them] with the towel wherewith he was girded. Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also [my] hands and [my] head. Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash [his] feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.
John 13:12 So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for [so] I am. If I then, [your] Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. 13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.
14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done toyou.16 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.17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye dothem.18 I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me.19 Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he.20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.
21 When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.
Jesus girds himself, much to the chagrin of some Baptist churches, wearing something akin to shorts, and begins to wash the disciples’ feet. It is a deeply humbling act to wash someone else’s feet. In the times of Yshua, foot washing was not a ceremony, but an act by most walking into a house off of dirty roads: something akin to the mothers of today insisting that shoes be removed at the front door so that one does not track mud through the house. In those days though, it was also considered a courteous greeting for guests, implying sympathy and respect for their journey and their presence among friends. When the woman at Simon the Leper’s house washes Jesus’ feet with her tears, the men are appalled, questioning Jesus why he let a woman of ill repute touch him, he replies:
And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed myfeet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. Luke 7:44-Luke 7:43-45
He commends not his host as human courtesy expects, but he commends the despised woman thought to be so lowly compared to the guests at the dinner, for he washing of his feet, an expected grace that had not been offered him. He is commending not the expected or ceremonial act, but the heartfelt humility of counting another better than themselves and taking on the servant’s heart and role, to better and comfort another person. How unusual that must seem to many in today’s push and shove world! Now, here at the Supper, the LORD himself, girds himself with a linen cloth and washes the feet of his disciples who object, seeing that he is far superior in every way, in rank, in stature, and certainly in power, knowledge and love, and they are seemingly humble in their not wishing to have him provide the simple service or treating them with the dignity reserved to a favored guest.
As soon as he is finished though, he asks them why they think he did this for them. He answers his own question, in telling them that he is indeed their Master, or rabbi or teacher, and that what was done was a lesson: that in serving in humility, it is not rank, order or superiority, but love that is at issue. He directs them to ‘wash ye one another’s feet’ because he is indeed their superior: how could God incarnate be otherwise. If he is without question above them in every way, and if he steps down from his divine post to take the role of the lowliest and least, how can any of us bear any excuse or
expectation why we should not do likewise? Who is to boast in rank or excellence before the serving Messiah, the servant King? Who is above any task that is given on earth, whether it be the washing of feet, the cleaning of pews, the cutting of grass or any other? In Church today we so often seen certain tasks as beneath our dignity when we have reached a certain level,such as deacon, pastor or teacher.
Those who have learned the secrets of walking with God and have seen the ways and work of God though understand that it is not in only doing highly ranked tasks, nor even of always doing lowly ranked tasks if they are not commanded, but in utter obedience, doing fervently all as unto the LORD without question of whether or not the task is ‘worthy’ of us, an attitude which exalts us to spiritual pride.
A pastor Ralph Sexton gave a well known sermon once in which he admonished believers to ‘start in the basement’ if called. The point was, not to use any fake humility where we abase ourselves just to abase ourselves like some cultures who even use self flagellation or infliction of pain to keep adherents ‘humble, but to a sincere and true humility, of bending to the LORD’ s will with no exceptions.
Are you a bank executive? Do you go into church and offer to help, expecting they will ask you to speak or host a dinner, and yet at that moment they need someone to clean the bathrooms? Would you be offended, or take it as an insult? Most, even the daily bible readers would, though they might chip in cheerfully. Our humility in love and service though I have found over the years leads both
to the work and power of our LORD and SAVIOR not only in our lives but in those of others and the world.
Many years ago, I was out of work, with two children to support and prayed and prayed for a job. I hold an advanced degree, and was hoping for a well-paying job, perhaps steady at least for awhile and commensurate with my skills and background, but the only answer to my prayer was a two week cleaning job at a local children’s museum paying a pittance. Putting aside my pride, I took the job and did it heartily unto the Lord, receiving compliments on the work, and setting it aside as ‘unto the Lord’. The result was, that during those two weeks, I was informed about a teaching position at the local university for which I applied and got, and the work lasted for a semester instead of a few weeks and led to other similar work, and provided the facilities and equipment I needed for my ministry work in their public facilities. We do not know when taking a small task what God has in mind: he may have for us a redirection, a new friend or spouse, or even a lesson: I learned during that time that God sometimes uses a basic task to explain to us part of our true ministry: cleaning up can make one understand that they are set to ‘clean up’ chaos in the church, or clear up doctrinal error,or
perhaps for someone else, to administrate and ‘put things in order’.
Yshua the Messiah did not spell out every detail of that arrangement at the last Supper, Commemorating the great deliverance of the Children of Israel on the night the death angel bled into Egypt killing all the firstborn who were not blood covered, behind the door (John 10), but it became very clear to the disciples, that obedience was not a matter of rank or importance, and that the disciples who once fought over who would sit at his right hand in heaven, would in the not too distant future be asked to stand in a desert and wait, attend to widows, or to go to a Gentile’s house and lay hands on him to receive the Holy Spirit.
The washing of feet at the last Supper was to set in place the template for dying-to-self obedience, with a servant’s heart in love, denying our passion since the Fall of Man to exalt ourselves to become ‘as gods’. It would also set the stage for the next act of faith, to believe the incomprehensible lesson
of the bread and wine of the New Covenant God was forming with Israel and the rest of mankind.
ekbest
A pastor Ralph Sexton gave a well known sermon once in which he admonished believers to ‘start in the basement’ if called. The point was, not to use any fake humility where we abase ourselves just to abase ourselves like some cultures who even use self flagellation or infliction of pain to keep adherents ‘humble, but to a sincere and true humility, of bending to the LORD’ s will with no exceptions.
Are you a bank executive? Do you go into church and offer to help, expecting they will ask you to speak or host a dinner, and yet at that moment they need someone to clean the bathrooms? Would you be offended, or take it as an insult? Most, even the daily bible readers would, though they might chip in cheerfully. Our humility in love and service though I have found over the years leads both
to the work and power of our LORD and SAVIOR not only in our lives but in those of others and the world.
Many years ago, I was out of work, with two children to support and prayed and prayed for a job. I hold an advanced degree, and was hoping for a well-paying job, perhaps steady at least for awhile and commensurate with my skills and background, but the only answer to my prayer was a two week cleaning job at a local children’s museum paying a pittance. Putting aside my pride, I took the job and did it heartily unto the Lord, receiving compliments on the work, and setting it aside as ‘unto the Lord’. The result was, that during those two weeks, I was informed about a teaching position at the local university for which I applied and got, and the work lasted for a semester instead of a few weeks and led to other similar work, and provided the facilities and equipment I needed for my ministry work in their public facilities. We do not know when taking a small task what God has in mind: he may have for us a redirection, a new friend or spouse, or even a lesson: I learned during that time that God sometimes uses a basic task to explain to us part of our true ministry: cleaning up can make one understand that they are set to ‘clean up’ chaos in the church, or clear up doctrinal error,or
perhaps for someone else, to administrate and ‘put things in order’.
Yshua the Messiah did not spell out every detail of that arrangement at the last Supper, Commemorating the great deliverance of the Children of Israel on the night the death angel bled into Egypt killing all the firstborn who were not blood covered, behind the door (John 10), but it became very clear to the disciples, that obedience was not a matter of rank or importance, and that the disciples who once fought over who would sit at his right hand in heaven, would in the not too distant future be asked to stand in a desert and wait, attend to widows, or to go to a Gentile’s house and lay hands on him to receive the Holy Spirit.
The washing of feet at the last Supper was to set in place the template for dying-to-self obedience, with a servant’s heart in love, denying our passion since the Fall of Man to exalt ourselves to become ‘as gods’. It would also set the stage for the next act of faith, to believe the incomprehensible lesson
of the bread and wine of the New Covenant God was forming with Israel and the rest of mankind.
ekbest
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