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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
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