a daze, the disciples washed their
hands in basins which Peter and John had filled with water. Then they
lay down on the couches around the table.

But Jesus did not immediately lie down with the others. Curiously the
men watched him take off his robe and tie a towel around his waist. He
began to pour water into a basin. Then Jesus carried the basin to where
Andrew lay and knelt at his couch. The fisherman hardly knew what to
say. Slaves and servants washed the feet of guests! Silently Jesus
washed the feet of all the Twelve, coming last to Simon Peter.

"Master! You shall not do this for me!" He drew away from Jesus, who was
kneeling at the foot of his couch.

"Peter, you do not understand why I am doing this--but very soon you
will!"

"I will never let you wash my feet!" protested Peter.

"Unless I wash your feet," answered Jesus gravely, "you cannot share in
my suffering and my glory."

Peter realized how much this act meant to Jesus. "O Master, wash my head
and my hands too!"

"No," replied Jesus, drying Peter's feet with the towel, "since I have
done this, you are clean all over. No more is needed." Reverence filled
the disciples as they listened to his words; but not until he had put on
his robe and taken his place at the table did they understand.

"Do you know why I have done this?" he asked. "You call me your Rabbi
and your Master--and that is right: I am your Master. If I am willing to
wash your feet, should you not serve one another? No servant is greater
than his Master. You must learn this: if any man wishes to be great in
the Kingdom of Heaven, he must be the slave of all men for my sake."

The disciples began to eat. The supper was simple. A piece of roast lamb
in a shallow bowl was the chief dish. There was a plate of unleavened
bread, a vegetable, and a bowl of sauce made of dates, raisins, and
vinegar. There was nothing else except a single large cup of wine mixed
with water. Each man took a piece of meat in his hand and ate it. Some
first dipped it into the vinegar sauce. The men were glad for the food,
but it did not drive away their discouragement. Everyone knew it could
not be long until they were arrested. Amid these dark thoughts, Jesus
spoke. "The hand of him who betrays me is with me on this table!"

The disciples could hardly believe their ears.

"One of us--betray you?" asked Peter. They looked at each other.

"One of you at this table will betray me, but woe to him who does this