Mamre and the Last Supper When Jesus washed the feet of disciples, he asked them if they knew what he was doing. Then he answered the question himself, either because it was a rhetorical question, or because they all had to admit their ignorance. Jesus explained that he had commanded them to do the same for others. With the benefit of hindsight and years to ponder, can we add a detail? Not to the brief explanation that Jesus gave, but to the context? This was the “Last Supper.” It was a Passover celebration, recalling the Exodus. But it also echoes the Biblical prototype of a feast. The “First Feast” was at Mamre, where Abraham offered hospitality to three angels – or to two angels and God himself – or to the Trinity. There were some hints before the account of Mamre, including Adam and Eve eating in the garden, and Melchizedek’s offering of bread and wine, presumably shared. But this is the first feast. It includes: prompt welcome, bowing, water to wash feet, a cool place to rest, bread, a course of cheese, roast beef, host waiting on the guests, and no business until after the meal. Lot’s hospitality the next day provides an interesting contrast to Abraham’s. It includes a greeting, bowing, a place to rest, water for feet, bread, and a meal (details not specified), with business after the meal. Just as the hospitality that Abraham offered was better than the hospitality that Lot offered the next day, so the hospitality that Jesus offered was better than the hospitality offered by Abraham. Bread is a major part. But the Passover feast is an upgrade from Abraham’s feast; it includes wine. And while Abraham offered them water to wash their feet, Jesus actually did the washing himself. That is, one detail of what Jesus did was to make clear that he was a child of Abraham. When he commanded that they do the same, he was enlarging what Abraham had done, and making it a duty. What had Abraham done? He had been host to strangers, host to angels, host to God. At first glance, it seems that Abraham welcomed strangers, but Jesus welcomed friends. But that’s not quite right. Abraham took a risk and welcomed strangers. Jesus did not take a risk. He deliberately welcomed – not just a stranger, not just an enemy – a traitor. We are to do what Abraham did, and Jesus perfected. We are to serve, and particularly to offer hospitality to God, who comes to us in the guise of strangers. When we welcome strangers and provide hospitality for them, we welcome God and provide hospitality to God. This command is repeated clearly in the words of Jesus describing the Last Judgment. “When I was a stranger, you welcomed me … when did we see you? … whatsoever you do for the least of my people, you do for me.” The command in the description of the Last Judgment echoes the command at the Last Supper. Hospitality to strangers is not a minor detail in Scripture.
Posted on: Tue, 18 Mar 2014 16:27:32 +0000