Kapitel 179		Paper 179
Det Sidste Aftensmåltid		The Last Supper
179:0.1 (1936.1) Da Filip om eftermiddagen denne torsdag mindede Mesteren om den forestående påske og spurgte ham om hans planer for fejringen af den, tænkte han på påskemåltidet, som skulle spises om aftenen den næste dag, fredag. Det var skik at begynde forberedelserne til påskefejringen senest ved middagstid den foregående dag. Og da jøderne regnede dagen som begyndende ved solnedgang, betød det, at lørdagens påskemåltid ville blive spist fredag aften, et stykke før midnat.		179:0.1 (1936.1) DURING the afternoon of this Thursday, when Philip reminded the Master about the approaching Passover and inquired concerning his plans for its celebration, he had in mind the Passover supper which was due to be eaten on the evening of the next day, Friday. It was the custom to begin the preparations for the celebration of the Passover not later than noon of the preceding day. And since the Jews reckoned the day as beginning at sunset, this meant that Saturday’s Passover supper would be eaten on Friday night, sometime before the midnight hour.
179:0.2 (1936.2) Apostlene var derfor helt uforstående over for Mesterens meddelelse om, at de skulle fejre påsken en dag tidligere. De troede, i hvert fald nogle af dem, at han vidste, at han ville blive arresteret inden påskemåltidet fredag aften, og at han derfor kaldte dem sammen til et særligt måltid denne torsdag aften. Andre mente, at dette blot var en særlig lejlighed, som skulle gå forud for den almindelige påskefejring.		179:0.2 (1936.2) The apostles were, therefore, entirely at a loss to understand the Master’s announcement that they would celebrate the Passover one day early. They thought, at least some of them did, that he knew he would be placed under arrest before the time of the Passover supper on Friday night and was therefore calling them together for a special supper on this Thursday evening. Others thought that this was merely a special occasion which was to precede the regular Passover celebration.
179:0.3 (1936.3) Apostlene vidste, at Jesus havde fejret andre påsker uden lam; de vidste, at han ikke personligt deltog i nogen af det jødiske systems offergudstjenester. Han havde mange gange spist af påskelammet som gæst, men altid, når han var vært, blev der ikke serveret noget lam. Det ville ikke have været en stor overraskelse for apostlene at se lammet udeladt selv på påskenatten, og da dette måltid blev holdt en dag tidligere, tænkte de ikke over dets fravær.		179:0.3 (1936.3) The apostles knew that Jesus had celebrated other Passovers without the lamb; they knew that he did not personally participate in any sacrificial service of the Jewish system. He had many times partaken of the paschal lamb as a guest, but always, when he was the host, no lamb was served. It would not have been a great surprise to the apostles to have seen the lamb omitted even on Passover night, and since this supper was given one day earlier, they thought nothing of its absence.
179:0.4 (1936.4) Efter at have modtaget velkomsthilsenerne fra Johannes Markus’ far og mor gik apostlene straks til det øverste kammer, mens Jesus blev tilbage for at tale med Markus-familien.		179:0.4 (1936.4) After receiving the greetings of welcome extended by the father and mother of John Mark, the apostles went immediately to the upper chamber while Jesus lingered behind to talk with the Mark family.
179:0.5 (1936.5) Man havde på forhånd forstået, at Mesteren skulle fejre denne begivenhed alene med sine tolv apostle; derfor var der ingen tjenere til at opvarte dem.		179:0.5 (1936.5) It had been understood beforehand that the Master was to celebrate this occasion alone with his twelve apostles; therefore no servants were provided to wait upon them.
1. Ønsket efter forrang ^top		1. The Desire for Preference ^top
179:1.1 (1936.6) Da apostlene var blevet vist ovenpå af Johannes Markus, så de et stort og rummeligt kammer, som var fuldstændig møbleret til måltidet, og de bemærkede, at brødet, vinen, vandet og urterne stod klar i den ene ende af bordet. Bortset fra den ende, hvor brødet og vinen stod, var dette lange bord omgivet af tretten liggestole, præcis som man ville have dem til påskefejringen i en velhavende jødisk husstand.		179:1.1 (1936.6) When the apostles had been shown upstairs by John Mark, they beheld a large and commodious chamber, which was completely furnished for the supper, and observed that the bread, wine, water, and herbs were all in readiness on one end of the table. Except for the end on which rested the bread and wine, this long table was surrounded by thirteen reclining couches, just such as would be provided for the celebration of the Passover in a well-to-do Jewish household.
179:1.2 (1936.7) Da de tolv kom ind i dette øvre kammer, så de lige inden for døren kanderne med vand, bassinerne og håndklæderne til at vaske deres støvede fødder med; og da der ikke var nogen tjener til at udføre denne tjeneste, begyndte apostlene at se på hinanden, så snart Johannes Markus havde forladt dem, og hver begyndte at tænke i sig selv: Hvem skal vaske vores fødder? Og hver af dem tænkte, at det ikke ville være ham, der på den måde ville virke som de andres tjener.		179:1.2 (1936.7) As the twelve entered this upper chamber, they noticed, just inside the door, the pitchers of water, the basins, and towels for laving their dusty feet; and since no servant had been provided to render this service, the apostles began to look at one another as soon as John Mark had left them, and each began to think within himself, Who shall wash our feet? And each likewise thought that it would not be he who would thus seem to act as the servant of the others.
179:1.3 (1937.1) Mens de stod der og diskuterede i deres hjerter, undersøgte de bordets placering og bemærkede værtens højere divan med en sofa til højre og elleve placeret rundt om bordet op til modsat denne anden æresplads på værtens højre side.		179:1.3 (1937.1) As they stood there, debating in their hearts, they surveyed the seating arrangement of the table, taking note of the higher divan of the host with one couch on the right and eleven arranged around the table on up to opposite this second seat of honor on the host’s right.
179:1.4 (1937.2) De forventede, at Mesteren ville komme hvert øjeblik, men de var i tvivl om, hvorvidt de skulle sætte sig eller afvente hans ankomst og stole på, at han tildelte dem deres pladser. Mens de tøvede, gik Judas over til ærespladsen til venstre for værten og tilkendegav, at han havde tænkt sig at lægge sig der som den foretrukne gæst. Denne handling fra Judas’ side udløste straks en ophedet strid blandt de andre apostle. Knap havde Judas sat sig på ærespladsen, før Johannes Zebedæus gjorde krav på den næstforetrukne plads, den til højre for værten. Simon Peter blev så rasende over Judas’ og Johannes’ overtagelse af de udvalgte pladser, at han, mens de andre vrede apostle så på, marcherede hele vejen rundt om bordet og satte sig på den nederste sofa, for enden af rækkefølgen og lige over for den plads, Johannes Zebedæus havde valgt. Da andre havde taget de høje pladser, tænkte Peter på at vælge den laveste, og han gjorde det ikke blot i protest mod sine brødres upassende stolthed, men i håbet om, at Jesus, når han kom og så ham på den mindst ærefulde plads, ville kalde ham op på en højere plads og dermed fortrænge en, der havde formastet sig til at ære sig selv.		179:1.4 (1937.2) They expected the Master to arrive any moment, but they were in a quandary as to whether they should seat themselves or await his coming and depend on him to assign them their places. While they hesitated, Judas stepped over to the seat of honor, at the left of the host, and signified that he intended there to recline as the preferred guest. This act of Judas immediately stirred up a heated dispute among the other apostles. Judas had no sooner seized the seat of honor than John Zebedee laid claim to the next preferred seat, the one on the right of the host. Simon Peter was so enraged at this assumption of choice positions by Judas and John that, as the other angry apostles looked on, he marched clear around the table and took his place on the lowest couch, the end of the seating order and just opposite to that chosen by John Zebedee. Since others had seized the high seats, Peter thought to choose the lowest, and he did this, not merely in protest against the unseemly pride of his brethren, but with the hope that Jesus, when he should come and see him in the place of least honor, would call him up to a higher one, thus displacing one who had presumed to honor himself.
179:1.5 (1937.3) Da de højeste og de laveste pladser var besat, valgte resten af apostlene pladser, nogle i nærheden af Judas og nogle i nærheden af Peter, indtil alle var placeret. De satte sig omkring det U-formede bord på disse liggende divaner i følgende rækkefølge: til højre for Mesteren Johannes; til venstre Judas, Simon Zelotes, Mattæus, Jakob Zebedæus, Andreas, Alfeus-tvillingerne, Filip, Nataniel, Thomas og Simon Peter.		179:1.5 (1937.3) With the highest and the lowest positions thus occupied, the rest of the apostles chose places, some near Judas and some near Peter, until all were located. They were seated about the U-shaped table on these reclining divans in the following order: on the right of the Master, John; on the left, Judas, Simon Zelotes, Matthew, James Zebedee, Andrew, the Alpheus twins, Philip, Nathaniel, Thomas, and Simon Peter.
179:1.6 (1937.4) De er samlet for at fejre, i det mindste i ånden, en institution, som var ældre end selv Moses og refererede til dengang, deres fædre var slaver i Egypten. Dette måltid er deres sidste møde med Jesus, og selv i en så højtidelig ramme gav apostlene nu på foranledning af Judas, efter for deres gamle forkærlighed for ære, præference, og personlig ophøjelse.		179:1.6 (1937.4) They are gathered together to celebrate, at least in spirit, an institution which antedated even Moses and referred to the times when their fathers were slaves in Egypt. This supper is their last rendezvous with Jesus, and even in such a solemn setting, under the leadership of Judas the apostles are led once more to give way to their old predilection for honor, preference, and personal exaltation.
179:1.7 (1937.5) De var stadig i gang med at udtale vrede beskyldninger, da mesteren dukkede op i døren, hvor han tøvede et øjeblik, mens et skuffet udtryk langsomt sneg sig ind over hans ansigt. Uden kommentarer gik han hen til sin plads, og han forstyrrede ikke deres placering.		179:1.7 (1937.5) They were still engaged in voicing angry recriminations when the Master appeared in the doorway, where he hesitated a moment as a look of disappointment slowly crept over his face. Without comment he went to his place, and he did not disturb their seating arrangement.
179:1.8 (1937.6) De var nu klar til at begynde aftensmaden, bortset fra at deres fødder stadig var uvaskede, og de var i alt andet end en behagelig sindstilstand. Da Mesteren ankom, var de stadig i gang med at komme med upassende bemærkninger om hinanden, for slet ikke at tale om tankerne hos nogle af dem, der havde tilstrækkelig følelsesmæssig kontrol til at afholde sig fra at udtrykke deres følelser offentligt.		179:1.8 (1937.6) They were now ready to begin the supper, except that their feet were still unwashed, and they were in anything but a pleasant frame of mind. When the Master arrived, they were still engaged in making uncomplimentary remarks about one another, to say nothing of the thoughts of some who had sufficient emotional control to refrain from publicly expressing their feelings.
2. Aftensmadens begyndelse ^top		2. Beginning the Supper ^top
179:2.1 (1937.7) I et par øjeblikke efter at Mesteren var gået til sin plads, blev der ikke sagt et ord. Jesus så på dem alle og løsnede spændingen med et smil og sagde: “Jeg har ønsket mig meget at spise denne påske sammen med jer. Jeg ønskede at spise sammen med jer endnu en gang, før min lidelse begynder, og da jeg indså, at min time var kommet, arrangerede jeg dette måltid sammen med jer i aften, for hvad angår morgendagen, er vi alle i Faderens hænder, hvis vilje jeg er kommet for at udføre. Jeg vil ikke igen spise sammen med jer, før I sætter jer sammen med mig i det rige, som min Fader vil give mig, når jeg har fuldført det, han sendte mig til denne verden for.”		179:2.1 (1937.7) For a few moments after the Master had gone to his place, not a word was spoken. Jesus looked them all over and, relieving the tension with a smile, said: “I have greatly desired to eat this Passover with you. I wanted to eat with you once more before I suffered, and realizing that my hour has come, I arranged to have this supper with you tonight, for, as concerns the morrow, we are all in the hands of the Father, whose will I have come to execute. I shall not again eat with you until you sit down with me in the kingdom which my Father will give me when I have finished that for which he sent me into this world.”
179:2.2 (1938.1) Efter at vin og vand var blevet blandet, bragte de bægeret til Jesus, som, da han havde modtaget det fra Thaddæus’ hånd, holdt det, mens han takkede. Og da han var færdig med at takke, sagde han: “Tag dette bæger og del det mellem jer, og når I tager del i det, skal I vide, at jeg ikke igen vil drikke vinens frugt med jer, da dette er vores sidste måltid. Når vi igen sætter os ned på denne måde, vil det være i det kommende rige.”		179:2.2 (1938.1) After the wine and the water had been mixed, they brought the cup to Jesus, who, when he had received it from the hand of Thaddeus, held it while he offered thanks. And when he had finished offering thanks, he said: “Take this cup and divide it among yourselves and, when you partake of it, realize that I shall not again drink with you the fruit of the vine since this is our last supper. When we sit down again in this manner, it will be in the kingdom to come.”
179:2.3 (1938.2) Jesus begyndte således at tale til sine apostle, fordi han vidste, at hans time var kommet. Han forstod, at tiden var kommet, hvor han skulle vende tilbage til Faderen, og at hans arbejde på jorden næsten var færdigt. Mesteren vidste, at han havde åbenbaret Faderens kærlighed på jorden og vist sin barmhjertighed over for menneskeheden, og at han havde fuldført det, han var kommet til verden for, nemlig at modtage al magt og autoritet i himlen og på jorden. På samme måde vidste han, at Judas Iskariot havde besluttet sig for at udlevere ham til sine fjender den nat. Han indså fuldt ud, at dette forræderi var Judas værk, men at det også behagede Lucifer, Satan og Caligastia, mørkets fyrste. Men han frygtede ingen af dem, der søgte hans åndelige undergang, mere end han frygtede dem, der søgte at opnå hans fysiske død. Mesteren havde kun én bekymring, og det var for sine udvalgte tilhængeres sikkerhed og frelse. Så med den fulde viden om, at Faderen havde lagt alle ting ind under hans autoritet, gjorde Mesteren sig nu klar til at gennemføre lignelsen om broderlig kærlighed.		179:2.3 (1938.2) Jesus began thus to talk to his apostles because he knew that his hour had come. He understood that the time had come when he was to return to the Father, and that his work on earth was almost finished. The Master knew he had revealed the Father’s love on earth and had shown forth his mercy to mankind, and that he had completed that for which he came into the world, even to the receiving of all power and authority in heaven and on earth. Likewise, he knew Judas Iscariot had fully made up his mind to deliver him that night into the hands of his enemies. He fully realized that this traitorous betrayal was the work of Judas, but that it also pleased Lucifer, Satan, and Caligastia the prince of darkness. But he feared none of those who sought his spiritual overthrow any more than he feared those who sought to accomplish his physical death. The Master had but one anxiety, and that was for the safety and salvation of his chosen followers. And so, with the full knowledge that the Father had put all things under his authority, the Master now prepared to enact the parable of brotherly love.
3. Jesus vasker apostlernes fødder ^top		3. Washing the Apostles’ Feet ^top
179:3.1 (1938.3) Efter at have drukket påskens første bæger, var det jødisk skik, at værten rejste sig fra bordet og vaskede sine hænder. Senere i måltidet og efter det andet bæger rejste alle gæsterne sig ligeledes op og vaskede hænder. Da apostlene vidste, at deres Mester aldrig overholdt disse ritualer med ceremoniel håndvask, var de meget nysgerrige efter at vide, hvad han havde tænkt sig at gøre, da han, efter at de havde drukket af det første bæger, rejste sig fra bordet og lydløst gik hen til døren, hvor vandkanderne, kummerne og håndklæderne var blevet placeret. Og deres nysgerrighed voksede til forbløffelse, da de så Mesteren tage sit overtøj af, svøbe sig i et håndklæde og begynde at hælde vand i et af fodbægrene. Forestil jer forbløffelsen hos disse tolv mænd, som for nylig havde nægtet at vaske hinandens fødder, og som havde været involveret i så upassende skænderier om ærespladser ved bordet, da de så ham gå rundt om den ledige ende af bordet til festens laveste plads, hvor Simon Peter sad, og knælende i en tjeners holdning gøre sig klar til at vaske Simons fødder. Da Mesteren knælede, rejste alle tolv sig som én mand; selv den forræderiske Judas glemte for et øjeblik sin skændsel og rejste sig sammen med sine medapostle i dette udtryk for overraskelse, respekt og total forbløffelse.		179:3.1 (1938.3) After drinking the first cup of the Passover, it was the Jewish custom for the host to arise from the table and wash his hands. Later on in the meal and after the second cup, all of the guests likewise rose up and washed their hands. Since the apostles knew that their Master never observed these rites of ceremonial hand washing, they were very curious to know what he intended to do when, after they had partaken of this first cup, he arose from the table and silently made his way over to near the door, where the water pitchers, basins, and towels had been placed. And their curiosity grew into astonishment as they saw the Master remove his outer garment, gird himself with a towel, and begin to pour water into one of the foot basins. Imagine the amazement of these twelve men, who had so recently refused to wash one another’s feet, and who had engaged in such unseemly disputes about positions of honor at the table, when they saw him make his way around the unoccupied end of the table to the lowest seat of the feast, where Simon Peter reclined, and, kneeling down in the attitude of a servant, make ready to wash Simon’s feet. As the Master knelt, all twelve arose as one man to their feet; even the traitorous Judas so far forgot his infamy for a moment as to arise with his fellow apostles in this expression of surprise, respect, and utter amazement.
179:3.2 (1938.4) Der stod Simon Peter og kiggede ned i sin Mesters opadvendte ansigt. Jesus sagde ikke noget; det var ikke nødvendigt, at han talte. Hans holdning afslørede tydeligt, at han havde i sinde at vaske Simon Peters fødder. På trods af sin kødelige skrøbelighed elskede Peter Mesteren. Denne galilæiske fisker var det første menneske, som helhjertet troede på Jesu guddommelighed og som fuldt og offentligt bekendte denne tro. Og Peter havde aldrig siden tvivlet på Mesterens guddommelige natur. Eftersom Peter ærede Jesus så højt i sit hjerte, var det ikke mærkeligt, at hans sjæl blev vred ved tanken om, at Jesus knælede foran ham som en simpel tjener og foreslog at vaske hans fødder som en slave. Da Peter omsider fik samlet sin forstand nok til at tale til Mesteren, gav han udtryk for alle sine medapostles inderste følelser.		179:3.2 (1938.4) There stood Simon Peter, looking down into the upturned face of his Master. Jesus said nothing; it was not necessary that he should speak. His attitude plainly revealed that he was minded to wash Simon Peter’s feet. Notwithstanding his frailties of the flesh, Peter loved the Master. This Galilean fisherman was the first human being wholeheartedly to believe in the divinity of Jesus and to make full and public confession of that belief. And Peter had never since really doubted the divine nature of the Master. Since Peter so revered and honored Jesus in his heart, it was not strange that his soul resented the thought of Jesus’ kneeling there before him in the attitude of a menial servant and proposing to wash his feet as would a slave. When Peter presently collected his wits sufficiently to address the Master, he spoke the heart feelings of all his fellow apostles.
179:3.3 (1939.1) Efter et øjeblik med denne store forlegenhed sagde Peter: “Mester, mener du virkelig, at du vil vaske mine fødder?” Og så kiggede Jesus op i Peters ansigt og sagde: “Du forstår måske ikke helt, hvad jeg er ved at gøre, men herefter vil du kende betydningen af alle disse ting.” Så trak Simon Peter vejret dybt og sagde: “Mester, du skal aldrig vaske mine fødder!” Og alle apostlene nikkede anerkendende til Peters faste afvisning af at lade Jesus ydmyge sig over for dem på den måde.		179:3.3 (1939.1) After a few moments of this great embarrassment, Peter said, “Master, do you really mean to wash my feet?” And then, looking up into Peter’s face, Jesus said: “You may not fully understand what I am about to do, but hereafter you will know the meaning of all these things.” Then Simon Peter, drawing a long breath, said, “Master, you shall never wash my feet!” And each of the apostles nodded their approval of Peter’s firm declaration of refusal to allow Jesus thus to humble himself before them.
179:3.4 (1939.2) Den dramatiske appel i denne usædvanlige scene rørte til og med selve Judas Iskariots hjerte; men da hans forfængelige intellekt dømte over skuespillet, konkluderede han, at denne ydmyge gestus blot var endnu en episode, der endegyldigt beviste, at Jesus aldrig ville kvalificere sig som Israels befrier, og at han ikke havde begået nogen fejl i beslutningen om at forlade Mesterens sag.		179:3.4 (1939.2) The dramatic appeal of this unusual scene at first touched the heart of even Judas Iscariot; but when his vainglorious intellect passed judgment upon the spectacle, he concluded that this gesture of humility was just one more episode which conclusively proved that Jesus would never qualify as Israel’s deliverer, and that he had made no mistake in the decision to desert the Master’s cause.
179:3.5 (1939.3) Mens de alle stod der i åndeløs forbløffelse, sagde Jesus: “Peter, jeg erklærer, at hvis jeg ikke vasker dine fødder, vil du ikke have del i det, jeg skal til at udføre.” Da Peter hørte denne erklæring, kombineret med det faktum, at Jesus blev ved med at knæle for hans fødder, traf han en af de beslutninger, hvor han blindt fulgte ønsket fra en, som han respekterede og elskede. Da det begyndte at gå op for Simon Peter, at der var knyttet en betydning til denne foreslåede tjenestehandling, som afgjorde ens fremtidige forbindelse med Mesterens arbejde, blev han ikke kun forsonet med tanken om at lade Jesus vaske hans fødder, men sagde på sin karakteristiske og impulsive måde: “Så, Mester, vask ikke kun mine fødder, men også mine hænder og mit hoved.”		179:3.5 (1939.3) As they all stood there in breathless amazement, Jesus said: “Peter, I declare that, if I do not wash your feet, you will have no part with me in that which I am about to perform.” When Peter heard this declaration, coupled with the fact that Jesus continued kneeling there at his feet, he made one of those decisions of blind acquiescence in compliance with the wish of one whom he respected and loved. As it began to dawn on Simon Peter that there was attached to this proposed enactment of service some signification that determined one’s future connection with the Master’s work, he not only became reconciled to the thought of allowing Jesus to wash his feet but, in his characteristic and impetuous manner, said: “Then, Master, wash not my feet only but also my hands and my head.”
179:3.6 (1939.4) Da Mesteren gjorde sig klar til at begynde at vaske Peters fødder, sagde han: “Den, der allerede er ren, behøver kun at få sine fødder vasket. I, der sidder sammen med mig i aften, er rene—men ikke alle. Men støvet på jeres fødder skulle have været vasket væk, før I satte jer til bords med mig. Og desuden vil jeg udføre denne tjeneste for jer som en lignelse for at illustrere betydningen af et nyt bud, som jeg nu vil give jer.”		179:3.6 (1939.4) As the Master made ready to begin washing Peter’s feet, he said: “He who is already clean needs only to have his feet washed. You who sit with me tonight are clean—but not all. But the dust of your feet should have been washed away before you sat down at meat with me. And besides, I would perform this service for you as a parable to illustrate the meaning of a new commandment which I will presently give you.”
179:3.7 (1939.5) På samme måde gik Mesteren rundt om bordet i stilhed og vaskede sine tolv apostles fødder, uden at gå forbi Judas. Da Jesus var færdig med at vaske de tolv apostles fødder, tog han sin kappe på, vendte tilbage til sin plads som vært, og efter at have set ud over sine forvirrede apostle, sagde han:		179:3.7 (1939.5) In like manner the Master went around the table, in silence, washing the feet of his twelve apostles, not even passing by Judas. When Jesus had finished washing the feet of the twelve, he donned his cloak, returned to his place as host, and after looking over his bewildered apostles, said:
179:3.8 (1939.6) “Forstår du virkelig, hvad jeg har gjort ved dig? I kalder mig Mester, og I siger ja, for det er jeg. Hvis nu Mesteren har vasket jeres fødder, hvorfor var I så ikke villige til at vaske hinandens fødder? Hvad skal I lære af denne lignelse, hvor Mesteren så villigt gør den tjeneste, som hans brødre var uvillige til at gøre for hinanden? Sandelig, sandelig siger jeg jer: En tjener er ikke større end sin herre, og den, der bliver sendt, er ikke større end den, der sender ham. I har set tjenestens vej i mit liv blandt jer, og velsignede er I, som vil have det nådige mod til at tjene på den måde. Men hvorfor er I så langsomme til at lære, at hemmeligheden bag storhed i det åndelige rige ikke er som metoderne til magt i den materielle verden?		179:3.8 (1939.6) “Do you really understand what I have done to you? You call me Master, and you say well, for so I am. If, then, the Master has washed your feet, why was it that you were unwilling to wash one another’s feet? What lesson should you learn from this parable in which the Master so willingly does that service which his brethren were unwilling to do for one another? Verily, verily, I say to you: A servant is not greater than his master; neither is one who is sent greater than he who sends him. You have seen the way of service in my life among you, and blessed are you who will have the gracious courage so to serve. But why are you so slow to learn that the secret of greatness in the spiritual kingdom is not like the methods of power in the material world?
179:3.9 (1940.1) “Da jeg kom ind i dette kammer i aften, nægtede I ikke blot stolt at vaske hinandens fødder, men I måtte også begynde at skændes indbyrdes om, hvem der skulle have ærespladserne ved mit bord. Sådanne æresbevisninger søger farisæerne og denne verdens børn, men sådan bør det ikke være blandt det himmelske riges ambassadører. Ved I ikke, at der ikke kan være nogen fortrinsstilling ved mit bord? Forstår I ikke, at jeg elsker hver enkelt af jer, som jeg elsker de andre? Ved I ikke, at pladsen nærmest mig, som mennesker betragter sådanne æresbevisninger, ikke kan betyde noget for jeres stilling i Himmeriget? I ved, at hedningekongerne har herredømme over deres undersåtter, mens de, der udøver denne myndighed, undertiden kaldes velgørere. Men sådan skal det ikke være i himmelriget. Den, der vil være stor blandt jer, skal være som den yngste, og den, der vil være chef, skal være som den, der tjener. Hvem er størst, den, der sidder til bords, eller den, der tjener? Er det ikke almindeligt antaget, at den, der sidder til bords, er den største? Men I vil se, at jeg er iblandt jer som en, der tjener. Hvis I er villige til at blive medtjenere med mig i at gøre Faderens vilje, skal I i det kommende rige sidde sammen med mig i magt og stadig gøre Faderens vilje i fremtidig herlighed.”		179:3.9 (1940.1) “When I came into this chamber tonight, you were not content proudly to refuse to wash one another’s feet, but you must also fall to disputing among yourselves as to who should have the places of honor at my table. Such honors the Pharisees and the children of this world seek, but it should not be so among the ambassadors of the heavenly kingdom. Do you not know that there can be no place of preferment at my table? Do you not understand that I love each of you as I do the others? Do you not know that the place nearest me, as men regard such honors, can mean nothing concerning your standing in the kingdom of heaven? You know that the kings of the gentiles have lordship over their subjects, while those who exercise this authority are sometimes called benefactors. But it shall not be so in the kingdom of heaven. He who would be great among you, let him become as the younger; while he who would be chief, let him become as one who serves. Who is the greater, he who sits at meat, or he who serves? Is it not commonly regarded that he who sits at meat is the greater? But you will observe that I am among you as one who serves. If you are willing to become fellow servants with me in doing the Father’s will, in the kingdom to come you shall sit with me in power, still doing the Father’s will in future glory.”
179:3.10 (1940.2) Da Jesus var færdig med at tale, bragte Alfeus-tvillingerne brødet og vinen med de bitre urter og pastaen af tørrede frugter til den næste del af den sidste nadver.		179:3.10 (1940.2) When Jesus had finished speaking, the Alpheus twins brought on the bread and wine, with the bitter herbs and the paste of dried fruits, for the next course of the Last Supper.
4. De sidste ord til forræderen ^top		4. Last Words to the Betrayer ^top
179:4.1 (1940.3) I nogle minutter spiste apostlene i tavshed, men under indflydelse af Mesterens muntre opførsel blev de snart trukket ind i samtalen, og inden længe fortsatte måltidet, som om intet usædvanligt var sket, der kunne forstyrre det gode humør og den sociale enighed ved denne ekstraordinære lejlighed. Da der var gået et stykke tid, omkring midten af dette andet måltid, så Jesus på dem og sagde: “Jeg har fortalt jer, hvor meget jeg ønskede at spise dette måltid med jer, og da jeg ved, hvordan mørkets onde kræfter har konspireret for at fremkalde Menneskesønnens død, besluttede jeg at spise dette måltid med jer i dette hemmelige kammer og en dag før påsken, da jeg ikke vil være sammen med jer ved denne tid i morgen aften. Jeg har gentagne gange fortalt jer, at jeg må vende tilbage til Faderen. Nu er min time kommet, men det var ikke påkrævet, at en af jer skulle forråde mig i mine fjenders hænder.”		179:4.1 (1940.3) For some minutes the apostles ate in silence, but under the influence of the Master’s cheerful demeanor they were soon drawn into conversation, and ere long the meal was proceeding as if nothing out of the ordinary had occurred to interfere with the good cheer and social accord of this extraordinary occasion. After some time had elapsed, in about the middle of this second course of the meal, Jesus, looking them over, said: “I have told you how much I desired to have this supper with you, and knowing how the evil forces of darkness have conspired to bring about the death of the Son of Man, I determined to eat this supper with you in this secret chamber and a day in advance of the Passover since I will not be with you by this time tomorrow night. I have repeatedly told you that I must return to the Father. Now has my hour come, but it was not required that one of you should betray me into the hands of my enemies.”
179:4.2 (1940.4) Da de tolv hørte dette, efter at de allerede var blevet berøvet meget af deres selvsikkerhed og selvtillid af lignelsen om fodvaskningen og Mesterens efterfølgende tale, begyndte de at se på hinanden, mens de i forvirrede toner tøvende spurgte: “Er det mig?” Og da de alle havde spurgt, sagde Jesus: “Mens det er nødvendigt, at jeg går til Faderen, var det ikke nødvendigt, at en af jer skulle blive en forræder for at opfylde Faderens vilje. Dette er frugten af den skjulte ondskab i hjertet på en, der ikke elskede sandheden af hele sin sjæl. Hvor bedragerisk er den intellektuelle stolthed, der går forud for det åndelige fald! Min ven gennem mange år, som selv nu spiser mit brød, vil være villig til at forråde mig, ligesom han nu dypper sin hånd med mig i fadet.”		179:4.2 (1940.4) When the twelve heard this, having already been robbed of much of their self-assertiveness and self-confidence by the parable of the feet washing and the Master’s subsequent discourse, they began to look at one another while in disconcerted tones they hesitatingly inquired, “Is it I?” And when they had all so inquired, Jesus said: “While it is necessary that I go to the Father, it was not required that one of you should become a traitor to fulfill the Father’s will. This is the coming to fruit of the concealed evil in the heart of one who failed to love the truth with his whole soul. How deceitful is the intellectual pride that precedes the spiritual downfall! My friend of many years, who even now eats my bread, will be willing to betray me, even as he now dips his hand with me in the dish.”
179:4.3 (1940.5) Og da Jesus havde talt således, begyndte de alle igen at spørge: “Er det mig?” Og da Judas, som sad til venstre for sin Mester, igen spurgte: “Er det mig?” dyppede Jesus brødet i urtefadet, rakte det til Judas og sagde: “Det har du sagt.” Men de andre hørte ikke, at Jesus talte til Judas. Johannes, som sad ved Jesu højre hånd, lænede sig frem og spurgte Mesteren: “Hvem er det? Vi bør vide, hvem det er, der har været utro mod sin tillid.” Jesus svarede: “Det har jeg allerede fortalt jer, også ham, som jeg gav soppen til.” Men det var så naturligt for værten at give en skål til den, der sad ved siden af ham til venstre, at ingen af dem lagde mærke til det, selv om Mesteren havde sagt det så tydeligt. Men Judas var smerteligt bevidst om betydningen af Mesterens ord i forbindelse med sin handling, og han blev bange for, at hans brødre nu også var klar over, at han var forræderen.		179:4.3 (1940.5) And when Jesus had thus spoken, they all began again to ask, “Is it I?” And as Judas, sitting on the left of his Master, again asked, “Is it I?” Jesus, dipping the bread in the dish of herbs, handed it to Judas, saying, “You have said.” But the others did not hear Jesus speak to Judas. John, who reclined on Jesus’ right hand, leaned over and asked the Master: “Who is it? We should know who it is that has proved untrue to his trust.” Jesus answered: “Already have I told you, even he to whom I gave the sop.” But it was so natural for the host to give a sop to the one who sat next to him on the left that none of them took notice of this, even though the Master had so plainly spoken. But Judas was painfully conscious of the meaning of the Master’s words associated with his act, and he became fearful lest his brethren were likewise now aware that he was the betrayer.
179:4.4 (1941.1) Peter var meget ophidset over det, der var blevet sagt, og han lænede sig frem over bordet og sagde til Johannes: “Spørg ham, hvem det er, eller hvis han har fortalt dig det, så sig mig, hvem forræderen er.”		179:4.4 (1941.1) Peter was highly excited by what had been said, and leaning forward over the table, he addressed John, “Ask him who it is, or if he has told you, tell me who is the betrayer.”
179:4.5 (1941.2) Jesus bragte deres hvisken til ophør ved at sige: “Jeg sørger over, at dette onde skulle ske, og håbede selv op til denne time, at sandhedens magt kunne sejre over ondskabens bedrag, men sådanne sejre vindes ikke uden troen på den oprigtige kærlighed til sandheden. Jeg ville ikke have fortalt jer disse ting ved denne, vores sidste nadver, men jeg ønsker at advare jer om disse sorger og således forberede jer på det, der nu er over os. Jeg har fortalt jer om dette, fordi jeg ønsker, at I, når jeg er gået bort, skal huske, at jeg kendte til alle disse onde planer, og at jeg advarede jer om mit forræderi. Og alt dette gør jeg kun, for at du kan blive styrket til de fristelser og prøvelser, der ligger lige for.”		179:4.5 (1941.2) Jesus brought their whisperings to an end by saying: “I sorrow that this evil should have come to pass and hoped even up to this hour that the power of truth might triumph over the deceptions of evil, but such victories are not won without the faith of the sincere love of truth. I would not have told you these things at this, our last supper, but I desire to warn you of these sorrows and so prepare you for what is now upon us. I have told you of this because I desire that you should recall, after I have gone, that I knew about all these evil plottings, and that I forewarned you of my betrayal. And I do all this only that you may be strengthened for the temptations and trials which are just ahead.”
179:4.6 (1941.3) Da Jesus havde talt sådan, lænede han sig over mod Judas og sagde: “Det, du har besluttet dig for at gøre, skal du gøre hurtigt.” Og da Judas hørte disse ord, rejste han sig fra bordet og skyndte sig at forlade rummet og gå ud i natten for at gøre det, han havde sat sig for. Da de andre apostle så Judas skynde sig væk, efter at Jesus havde talt til ham, troede de, at han var gået for at skaffe noget ekstra til aftensmaden eller for at gøre et andet ærinde for Mesteren, da de antog, at han stadig bar tasken.		179:4.6 (1941.3) When Jesus had thus spoken, leaning over toward Judas, he said: “What you have decided to do, do quickly.” And when Judas heard these words, he arose from the table and hastily left the room, going out into the night to do what he had set his mind to accomplish. When the other apostles saw Judas hasten off after Jesus had spoken to him, they thought he had gone to procure something additional for the supper or to do some other errand for the Master since they supposed he still carried the bag.
179:4.7 (1941.4) Jesus vidste nu, at der ikke kunne gøres noget for at forhindre Judas i at blive forræder. Han startede med tolv—nu havde han elleve. Han valgte seks af disse apostle, og selvom Judas var blandt dem, der var nomineret af hans først valgte apostle, accepterede Mesteren ham alligevel og havde indtil denne time gjort alt for at hellige og frelse ham, ligesom han havde arbejdet for de andres fred og frelse.		179:4.7 (1941.4) Jesus now knew that nothing could be done to keep Judas from turning traitor. He started with twelve—now he had eleven. He chose six of these apostles, and though Judas was among those nominated by his first-chosen apostles, still the Master accepted him and had, up to this very hour, done everything possible to sanctify and save him, even as he had wrought for the peace and salvation of the others.
179:4.8 (1941.5) Dette måltid, med dets ømme episoder og blødgørende berøringer, var Jesu sidste appel til den deserterende Judas, men det var til ingen nytte. Advarsler, selv når de gives på den mest taktfulde måde og formidles i den mest venlige ånd, intensiverer som regel kun hadet og opildner den onde vilje til fuldt ud at gennemføre sine egne egoistiske projekter, når kærligheden først er død.		179:4.8 (1941.5) This supper, with its tender episodes and softening touches, was Jesus’ last appeal to the deserting Judas, but it was of no avail. Warning, even when administered in the most tactful manner and conveyed in the most kindly spirit, as a rule, only intensifies hatred and fires the evil determination to carry out to the full one’s own selfish projects, when love is once really dead.
5. Indstiftelse af mindemåltiden ^top		5. Establishing the Remembrance Supper ^top
179:5.1 (1941.6) Da de bragte Jesus det tredje bæger vin, “velsignelsens bæger,” rejste han sig fra sofaen og tog bægeret i sine hænder, velsignede det og sagde: “Tag dette bæger, alle sammen, og drik af det. Dette skal være min ihukommelses bæger. Det er velsignelsens bæger for en ny uddeling af nåde og sandhed. Det skal for jer være symbolet på den guddommelige sandhedsånds overdragelse og tjeneste. Og jeg vil ikke igen drikke dette bæger med jer, før jeg drikker i en ny form med jer i Faderens evige rige.”		179:5.1 (1941.6) As they brought Jesus the third cup of wine, the “cup of blessing,” he arose from the couch and, taking the cup in his hands, blessed it, saying: “Take this cup, all of you, and drink of it. This shall be the cup of my remembrance. This is the cup of the blessing of a new dispensation of grace and truth. This shall be to you the emblem of the bestowal and ministry of the divine Spirit of Truth. And I will not again drink this cup with you until I drink in new form with you in the Father’s eternal kingdom.”
179:5.2 (1942.1) Apostlene fornemmede alle, at der skete noget ud over det sædvanlige, da de drak af dette velsignelsens bæger i dyb ærbødighed og fuldkommen stilhed. Den gamle påske mindedes deres fædres frigørelse fra en tilstand af racemæssigt slaveri til individuel frihed; nu indstiftede Mesteren et nyt erindringsmåltid som et symbol på den nye dispensation, hvor det slavebundne individ frigør sig fra den ceremonielle og selviske trældom til den åndelige glæde ved broderskabet og fællesskabet med den levende Guds frigjorte troende sønner.		179:5.2 (1942.1) The apostles all sensed that something out of the ordinary was transpiring as they drank of this cup of blessing in profound reverence and perfect silence. The old Passover commemorated the emergence of their fathers from a state of racial slavery into individual freedom; now the Master was instituting a new remembrance supper as a symbol of the new dispensation wherein the enslaved individual emerges from the bondage of ceremonialism and selfishness into the spiritual joy of the brotherhood and fellowship of the liberated faith sons of the living God.
179:5.3 (1942.2) Da de var færdige med at drikke dette nye erindringsbæger, tog Mesteren brødet, og efter at have takket, brød han det i stykker og bad dem sende det rundt og sagde: “Tag dette erindringens brød og spis det. Jeg har fortalt jer, at jeg er livets brød. Og dette livets brød er Faderens og Sønnens forenede liv i én gave. Faderens ord, som er åbenbaret i Sønnen, er i sandhed livets brød.” Da de havde taget del i erindringens brød, symbolet på sandhedens levende ord inkarneret i dødeligt køds skikkelse, satte de sig alle ned.		179:5.3 (1942.2) When they had finished drinking this new cup of remembrance, the Master took up the bread and, after giving thanks, broke it in pieces and, directing them to pass it around, said: “Take this bread of remembrance and eat it. I have told you that I am the bread of life. And this bread of life is the united life of the Father and the Son in one gift. The word of the Father, as revealed in the Son, is indeed the bread of life.” When they had partaken of the bread of remembrance, the symbol of the living word of truth incarnated in the likeness of mortal flesh, they all sat down.
179:5.4 (1942.3) Da Mesteren indstiftede dette erindringsmåltid, benyttede han sig, som han altid havde for vane, af lignelser og symboler. Han brugte symboler, fordi han ønskede at undervise i visse store åndelige sandheder på en sådan måde, at det blev vanskeligt for hans efterfølgere at knytte præcise fortolkninger og bestemte betydninger til hans ord. På denne måde forsøgte han at forhindre efterfølgende generationer i at krystallisere hans lære og binde hans åndelige betydninger fast i traditionens og dogmernes døde lænker. I etableringen af den eneste ceremoni eller det eneste sakramente, der var forbundet med hele hans livsmission, gjorde Jesus sig stor umage med at antyde sine betydninger snarere end at forpligte sig til præcise definitioner. Han ønskede ikke at ødelægge den enkeltes opfattelse af det guddommelige fællesskab ved at etablere en præcis form; han ønskede heller ikke at begrænse den troendes åndelige fantasi ved formelt at indskrænke den. Han søgte snarere at sætte menneskets genfødte sjæl fri på de glade vinger af en ny og levende åndelig frihed.		179:5.4 (1942.3) In instituting this remembrance supper, the Master, as was always his habit, resorted to parables and symbols. He employed symbols because he wanted to teach certain great spiritual truths in such a manner as to make it difficult for his successors to attach precise interpretations and definite meanings to his words. In this way he sought to prevent successive generations from crystallizing his teaching and binding down his spiritual meanings by the dead chains of tradition and dogma. In the establishment of the only ceremony or sacrament associated with his whole life mission, Jesus took great pains to suggest his meanings rather than to commit himself to precise definitions. He did not wish to destroy the individual’s concept of divine communion by establishing a precise form; neither did he desire to limit the believer’s spiritual imagination by formally cramping it. He rather sought to set man’s reborn soul free upon the joyous wings of a new and living spiritual liberty.
179:5.5 (1942.4) På trods af Mesterens bestræbelser på at etablere dette nye erindringssakramente, sørgede de, der fulgte efter ham i de mellemliggende århundreder, for, at hans udtrykkelige ønske effektivt blev modarbejdet, idet hans enkle åndelige symbolik om den sidste nat i kødet er blevet reduceret til præcise fortolkninger og underlagt den næsten matematiske præcision af en fast formel. Af alle Jesus’ læresætninger er ingen blevet mere traditionsstandardiseret.		179:5.5 (1942.4) Notwithstanding the Master’s effort thus to establish this new sacrament of the remembrance, those who followed after him in the intervening centuries saw to it that his express desire was effectively thwarted in that his simple spiritual symbolism of that last night in the flesh has been reduced to precise interpretations and subjected to the almost mathematical precision of a set formula. Of all Jesus’ teachings none have become more tradition-standardized.
179:5.6 (1942.5) Dette erindringsmåltid, når det indtages af dem, der tror på Sønnen og kender Gud, behøver ikke at have nogen af menneskets barnagtige fejlfortolkninger af betydningen af det guddommelige nærvær forbundet med sin symbolik, for ved alle sådanne lejligheder er Mesteren virkelig til stede. Erindringsmåltidet er den troendes symbolske rendezvous med Mikael. Når man bliver åndsbevidst på denne måde, er Sønnen faktisk til stede, og hans ånd fraterniserer med det indre fragment af hans Fader.		179:5.6 (1942.5) This supper of remembrance, when it is partaken of by those who are Son-believing and God-knowing, does not need to have associated with its symbolism any of man’s puerile misinterpretations regarding the meaning of the divine presence, for upon all such occasions the Master is really present. The remembrance supper is the believer’s symbolic rendezvous with Michael. When you become thus spirit-conscious, the Son is actually present, and his spirit fraternizes with the indwelling fragment of his Father.
179:5.7 (1942.6) Efter at de havde mediteret et øjeblik, fortsatte Jesus med at tale: “Når I gør disse ting, så husk på det liv, jeg har levet på jorden blandt jer, og glæd jer over, at jeg skal fortsætte med at leve på jorden med jer og tjene gennem jer. Som individer skal I ikke strides med hinanden om, hvem der skal være størst. Vær alle som brødre. Og når riget vokser til at omfatte store grupper af troende, skal I ligeledes afholde jer fra at strides om storhed eller søge fortrinsstilling mellem sådanne grupper”		179:5.7 (1942.6) After they had engaged in meditation for a few moments, Jesus continued speaking: “When you do these things, recall the life I have lived on earth among you and rejoice that I am to continue to live on earth with you and to serve through you. As individuals, contend not among yourselves as to who shall be greatest. Be you all as brethren. And when the kingdom grows to embrace large groups of believers, likewise should you refrain from contending for greatness or seeking preferment between such groups.”
179:5.8 (1943.1) Og denne mægtige begivenhed fandt sted i en vens øverste kammer. Der var intet af hellig form eller ceremoniel indvielse ved hverken måltidet eller bygningen. Erindringsmåltidet blev etableret uden kirkelig sanktion.		179:5.8 (1943.1) And this mighty occasion took place in the upper chamber of a friend. There was nothing of sacred form or of ceremonial consecration about either the supper or the building. The remembrance supper was established without ecclesiastical sanction.
179:5.9 (1943.2) Da Jesus således havde indstiftet mindemåltidet, sagde han til de elleve: “Og så ofte som I gør dette, skal I gøre det til minde om mig. Og når I mindes mig, så se først tilbage på mit liv i kødet, husk på, at jeg engang var sammen med jer, og erkend så i tro, at I alle engang skal spise sammen med mig i Faderens evige rige. Dette er den nye påske, som jeg efterlader hos jer, selv mindet om mit overdragelsesliv, den evige sandheds ord; og om min kærlighed til jer, udgydelsen af min sandheds ånd over alt kød.”		179:5.9 (1943.2) When Jesus had thus established the supper of the remembrance, he said to the eleven: “And as often as you do this, do it in remembrance of me. And when you do remember me, first look back upon my life in the flesh, recall that I was once with you, and then, by faith, discern that you shall all sometime sup with me in the Father’s eternal kingdom. This is the new Passover which I leave with you, even the memory of my bestowal life, the word of eternal truth; and of my love for you, the outpouring of my Spirit of Truth upon all flesh.”
179:5.10 (1943.3) Og de sluttede denne fejring af den gamle, men blodløse påske i forbindelse med indvielsen af det nye erindringsmåltid ved alle sammen at synge den et hundrede og attende salme.		179:5.10 (1943.3) And they ended this celebration of the old but bloodless Passover in connection with the inauguration of the new supper of the remembrance, by singing, all together, the one hundred and eighteenth Psalm.