Chapter V: Part III: The Last Supper

_Letter-press to accompany a Half-tone Reproduction of N. N. Gay’s
Picture, “The Last Supper.”_

John XIII, v. 1–35 inclusive.

Jesus said: “Ye have heard that it was said, Thou shalt love thy
neighbor, and hate thine enemy: but I say unto you, Love your
enemies....”

At the last supper Jesus showed this by his acts.

Having washed the feet of his twelve disciples, he said: “I have given you an example, that ye also should do as I have done to you.”

What had Jesus done, and what was the example he gave to his disciples?

When after supper Jesus began to wash the feet of his disciples and Simon Peter wished to oppose it, Jesus said to him: “What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt understand hereafter. Ye are clean but not all.”

Neither Simon Peter nor the other disciples then understood why he said this. Only Judas Iscariot understood what Jesus was doing when, kneeling before him, he washed his feet.

Having washed the feet of his betrayer, Jesus rose, put on his garment, and having again sat down, said: “Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master, and ye say well; for so I am.”

But they, not knowing that Judas was a traitor, did not understand what he had done and what he was teaching them.

Then, being troubled in spirit, Jesus said: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.”

And again they did not understand what he was doing or what he was saying to them. They only looked at one another seeking to discover of whom he spoke.

Meanwhile the beloved disciple of Jesus was reclining on his bosom. And Simon Peter, raising himself, beckoned to the beloved disciple that he should ask the teacher of whom he spoke.

And the beloved disciple, leaning back on Jesus’ breast, asked him.

But Jesus did not give a direct reply, knowing that if he named his enemy the disciples would be indignant and would want to punish the traitor.

Wishing not to destroy but to save Judas, Jesus, instead of replying, reached out his hand, took a piece of bread, and said softly: “He it is for whom I shall dip the sop and give it him,” and when he had given the sop to Judas he said: “What thou doest do quickly.”

The disciples, having heard this, thought that Jesus was sending Judas into the town to buy what was needed for the feast.

But Judas understood that Jesus was saving him from the wrath of the disciples, and immediately arose.

That is what is shown in the picture.

The beloved disciple, John, is the only one who knows who is the traitor.

He leaps up from his seat and stares at Judas. He does not understand, does not believe that a living man can hate one who so loves him. He is sorry for the unfortunate man and terrified for him. Simon Peter guesses the truth from John’s look, and turns his eyes now on John, now on Jesus, and now on the betrayer; and in his ardent heart anger and desire to defend his beloved teacher flame up.

Judas has risen, gathered up his garment, thrown it around him, and taken the first step, but his eyes cannot turn away from the saddened face of the teacher. There is still time. He can still turn back and fall at his feet confessing his sin, but the devil already possesses his heart.

“Do not submit!” he says to him. “Do not yield to weakness, do not subject yourself to reproaches from the proud disciples. They are looking at you and only awaiting a chance to humiliate you. Go!”

Jesus lies leaning on his arm. He is not looking, but sees all, and knows what is going on in Judas’ heart, and he waits and suffers on his account. He pities the son of perdition. Jesus with his own hand has fed his enemy, washed his feet, saved him from human punishment, and until the end calls him to repentance and forgives him. Yet Judas does not return to him.

And Jesus grieves for Judas, and for all who do not come to him.

Judas went out and hid himself in the darkness of the night.

Hardly had the door closed before the disciples all realized who the betrayer was. They are agitated and indignant. Peter wants to run after him. But Jesus raises his head and says: “Little children, yet a little while I am with you. A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; even as I have loved you, that ye love one another. By this shall it be known that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” And only then did Simon Peter and the other ten understand what Jesus had done. Only then did they understand that having all his life long shown them an example of love of one’s neighbour, he has now given an example of love of one’s enemy.

To the last moment he loved and pitied Judas, his enemy, called him to himself and despite his unrepentance saved him from the anger of the disciples.