Maundy Thursday
He was the least of the Apostles. He would never go down in history because he never said anything and although he did a great deal it was all routine fetching and carrying, a man of food and drink, wood and water.
But things had happened tonight that he would never forget, which were worth all the work. He had been completely taken by surprise when Jesus came to him first with the bowl of water: "You've been pounding up and down all afternoon carrying supplies for this evening, moving furniture, borrowing cooking pots. Here, give me those sore-looking feet of yours", so he did. He always did exactly what Jesus said. Jesus took his time. Even when he was in a hurry he seemed to take his time. It was like a soldier walking, in a hurry but unhurried. It was as if Jesus knew how to make time. The herb infused water was lovely. He sat barefoot for the sheer pleasure of it but when Jesus came to peter he left to bet on with his work, to avoid the scene. He hated that sort of thing. He liked the quietness of Jesus. He enjoyed it most when they were together, usually early in the morning, when he was getting ready for the day and Jesus sat quietly, cross-legged, watching the sunrise.
Then there was the meal which had taken on a mysterious and ominous significance. Jesus had been very emphatic about what they had to do in the future as if he was going away, there and then. The usual, unrestrained joy of the Passover had been somehow dampened. Unusual, that, as Jesus had such a sense of humour and loved the big occasion. But tonight he had been almost solemn, especially when Judas had nipped out on an errand. Peter was a bit jumpy but he should have known better. Judas just couldn't sit still, even at meal times. Jesus had said something about giving his body to be broken and his blood to be poured; they were to think of him as eternal food; he would bring everlasting life. He didn't understand but if that's what Jesus said then no matter how difficult it was to comprehend, that is what Jesus meant. And they had all sworn to stay with him no matter what happened. Whatever did they expect? People got too worked up around the time of Passover. It would soon be over and they could get back to normal in Galilee.
But in spite of the shadows and the puzzling words,` something mysterious and grand had happened. He knew that Jesus planted seeds and that there would be a right time for them to flourish. The things he said would come true. Jesus seemed to be saying that once he had left them they would go on celebrating him, as well as the Passover, through sharing his life in bread and wine and that this practice would spread all over the world. He didn't see why it should but if that is what Jesus said then that is what would happen.
He had worked up a sweat during the clearing up. It was nice to be out in the cool, walking towards their favourite olive grove.