I can’t imagine what was on Jesus’ mind as he sat with his disciples for the last time to eat a meal. Was he anxious, knowing that there was a group of people plotting to kill him? Was his mind flooded with the emotion of the gift of a woman anointing him? Was his heart aching, knowing that one of his trusted companions betrayed him? Was he anticipating going to a garden to plead with his father for an alternative plan? Or was he gripped with fear of his impending arrest? I can’t imagine.
Jesus could have excused himself from the table to take care of some other things. But he didn’t. He stayed and he had supper. It was his last supper. Taking bread and taking a cup, he invited his disciples to eat and drink. It would be their last supper with Jesus. Included with the feelings of anxiety of his eventual trial, conviction and execution is this glimmer of hope - “I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” (26:29) No matter how preoccupied Jesus was, he still had enough room in his heart and mind to think of the future. That future includes the person writing these words and the person reading them.
It’s getting tense. It’s starting to get dark. In this Lenten journey, you are anticipating what’s to come next. Before you proceed to read the rest of the story, join Jesus at his table, and enjoy the best with him. You have been invited. Tell God how it feels to be at his table.
16 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. 2 Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb 3 and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?”
4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. 5 As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.
6 “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’”
8 Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.