Jesus loved to paint portraits for the soul. He did it through his actions as well as his words. Indeed, his whole life was a powerful illustration. On the particular night to which our texts bear witness, the image Jesus will etch into the memories of his disciples will be so powerful that they will never again be able to think of him without reference to this event.

Writer Walter Wangerin suggests that the atmosphere of that evening was shrouded in mystery and filled with intrigue. There was the meal held in secret, the carefully plotted plan: "Listen," the householder said, "let’s use a signal. I’ll send a man with a jar of water through the city." (Usually women carried jars of water, while men bore wineskins.) "Have your disciples follow him. No words. No talk. I’ll furnish the upper…