The Last Supper by Da Vinci

As I mentioned in my earlier post, Holy Week is a spiritual time for me filled with much emotion. The apostles who followed Jesus gave up their livelihood and families to follow a person whom they hoped was their longed-for messiah; the savior of the Jewish people.  After spending much time with Jesus, the apostles experience the awesome high of walking into Jerusalem with the crowds praising the man they are following.  Imagine how they felt, knowing that they are with an important person, and they are one of only 12 selected personally by Him!  Think of how this would make you feel.  But then come the events at the end of the week that will change their lives forever.

The night of Passover, as Jesus dines for the last time with his apostles, we learn that one of the selected twelve, Judas, will betray and hand over Jesus to the authorities, and Peter will deny, not once but three times, that he knows Jesus.  The rest of the apostles, the closest friends of Jesus, flee and hide.  Think about this … one of Jesus’ closest companions turns Him over to be arrested; His selected leader, Peter, will deny ever knowing Him; the rest of the friends run away; at a time when Jesus needed His friends’ support the most!

Historically, around the year 33AD, the Roman Empire ruled the known Western world including Jerusalem and the Jewish people.  Over time, as the apostles slowly come to an understanding of Jesus as the Son of God, they long for the day that He will save them from the Romans.  This was part of the reason for Judas’ betrayal, to force Jesus’ hand into fighting the Romans to whom he turned over Jesus.  Neither Peter nor Judas understood that Jesus was a Savior of souls, not a conqueror of the Romans.  The freedom Jesus brings is an inner freedom, not a physical freedom.  Therefore, when Jesus is arrested and neither He nor the angels come to save Him, the apostles become scared and confused.

Put in the historical context it is a bit easier to understand why Peter, although not fleeing the scene like the rest, denies knowing Jesus.  It is not necessarily to betray his friend, but out of a sense of fear and confusion.  Peter doesn’t want to be arrested, too.  Peter is scared and confused.

Jumping ahead in the story, after the resurrection of Jesus, He finds Peter to reconcile with him.  He allows Peter the opportunity of forgiveness, but not just a simple “I’m sorry”, but a deeper reconciliation based on love and compassion.  Jesus approaches Peter not to reproach him for his denial, but to simply ask Peter if he loves Him.  Peter responds with “yes, you know that I love you.”  Can you imagine the emotions Peter is experiencing?

Personally, a song from the early 1990’s by the rock band Savatage seems to sum up the emotional exchange of Jesus and Peter during their reconciliation.  The song, “Believe”, was  not written for this purpose, but it speaks to me in a way of framing the depth of the emotions felt by Peter and Jesus as Peter is asked if he loves Jesus.  This is the verse from the song which I attribute to Peter’s words to Jesus.  As you read the verse, place yourself in the scene of Peter, confused and afraid, ashamed and embarrassed, standing before the risen Jesus:

The refrain of the song, which I attribute to Jesus responding to Peter, is both powerful and comforting:

On this Holy Thursday, let’s reflect on:

• Trust.  How can I trust even when I don’t fully know the person or the situation?  What can I do to get a better understanding when events happen of which I am unfamiliar?
• Forgiveness.  Holding onto resentments and anger led both Peter and Judas to depression and despair.  How can I learn to forgive others, and truly move on.  How can I learn to forgive myself?
• Love.  How can I truly love another even when they disappoint me?  How can I try to more fully understand their context and what is happening in their life.  Can I embrace them as Jesus embraced Peter?

Life is not easy; but by placing ourselves into the drama of the apostles and Jesus during this critical week in their lives can give us guidance and teach us lessons.

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