Kapitel 179		Paper 179
Det Sidste Aftensmåltid		The Last Supper
179:0.1 (1936.1) I LØBET af denne torsdag eftermiddag, da Filip mindede Mesteren om at påsken nærmede sig og spurgte om hans planer for at fejre den, tænkte Filip på påskemåltidet, der ville blive indtaget om aftenen den næste dag, fredag. Det var skik at begynde forberedelserne til påske festlighederne senest ved middagstid den foregående dag. Eftersom at jøderne regnede dagens begyndelse ved solnedgang, betød dette at lørdagens påskemåltid ville blive spist fredag aften, engang 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 ude af stand til at forstå Mesterens meddelelse om, at de ville fejre påsken en dag tidligere. I det mindste mente nogle af dem, at han vidste, at han ville blive anholdt, før det var tid til påskemåltidet fredag aften, og at han derfor kaldte dem sammen til en særlig aften måltid denne torsdag aften. Andre mente, at det blot var en særlig lejlighed, som ville gå forud for den regelmæssige påskefest.		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 offertjenester i henhold til det jødiske system. Han havde mange gange som gæst spist påskelammet, men altid, når han var vært blev der ikke serveret lam. Det ville ikke have været nogen stor overraskelse for apostlene at se lammet udeladt selv på påskeaften, og eftersom at dette måltid blev serveret en dag tidligere skænkede de ikke dets undladelse en tanke.		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 Johannes Markus mor og far havde hilst dem velkommen gik apostlene straks op til det øverste kammer, mens Jesus dvælede et øjeblik for at tale med Marks familie.		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) Det havde på forhånd været forstået, at Mesteren ville fejre denne lejlighed alene med sine tolv apostle; Derfor var der ingen tjenere ved hånden til at passe 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 en stor og rummelig sal, der var helt forberedt for måltidet, og de bemærkede, at brødet, vinen, vandet og urterne alle var klar i den ene ende af bordet. Undtagen ved enden, hvor brødet og vinen stod, var dette lange bord omgivet af tretten tilbagelænet sofaer, netop sådan nogle, som bruges til at fejre påske i et velhavende jødisk hjem.		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 apostlene trådte ind i rummet ovenpå, bemærkede de straks, lige inden for døren, vandkrukker, bassinerne, og håndklæderne som er nødvendige, for at de kunne vaske deres støvede fødder. Da der ingen tjener var erhvervet til at gøre tjenesten for dem, begyndte apostlene at se på hinanden, så snart Johannes Markus havde forladt dem, og hver begyndte at tænke for sig selv: Hvem skal vaske vores fødder? og ligeledes tænkte hver, at det ikke skulle være ham, der på denne måde synes at være den andens 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, debatterende i deres hjerter, kiggede de på bordets siddeplads arrangement og observeret den højere divan til værten, med en sofa til højre og elleve arrangeret rundt om bordet, så den sidste var modsat denne anden hædersplads 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 et dilemma om hvorvidt de skulle sætte sig eller vente til hans ankomst, og have tillid til, at han tildelte dem deres pladser. Mens de tøvede, trådte Judas over til hædersplads, til venstre for værten, og tilkendegav dermed, at han agtede at sætte sig der, som den foretrukne gæst. Da Judas gjorde dette opstod der straks en ophedet debat blandt de andre apostle. Judas havde knap nok haft tid til at tage hæderspladsen i besiddelse førend Johannes Zebedæus lagde beslag på den næstbedste plads, den til højre for værten. Simon Peter var så rasende, over at Judas og Johannes på denne måde havde taget de bedste pladser at han, mens de andre vrede apostle kiggede på, marcherede lige rundt om bordet og tog sin plads på den sidste sofa, den laveste i placeringsordningen, og direkte overfor pladsen, som Johannes Zebedæus havde valgt. Da de andre havde beslaglagt de højeste placeret sæder mente Peter, at han ville vælger den laveste rangerende, og det gjorte han ikke bare i protest mod sine brødres uforskammet arrogance, men med håbet om, at Jesus, når han kom og så ham på den mindst hædret plads, ville kalde ham op til en højere, og dermed fortrænge en, der havde været formastelig nok 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) Med den højest og lavest rangerende plads således besat valgte de andre apostle deres pladser, nogle nær Judas, andre i nær Peter, indtil alle var placeret. De sad tilbagelænet på deres divaner omkring det U-formede bord i følgende rækkefølge: til højre for Mesteren, Johannes; til venstre Judas, Simon Zelotes, Mattæus, James Zebedæus, Andreas, Alpheus tvillinger, 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 var nu samlet for at fejre - i hvert fald i ånden - en institution, der havde sin oprindelse før Moses, og beregnet for de tidspunkter, hvor deres forfædre var slaver i Egypten. Denne aftensmad var deres sidste møde med Jesus, og selv i sådan et højtideligt tilfælde, nu på foranledning af Judas, gav apostlene 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 engageret med at udtrykke deres vrede beskyldninger da Mesteren dukkede op i døråbningen, hvor han tøvede et øjeblik, mens en skuffet mine langsomt spredte sig over hans ansigt. Uden at sige et ord, gik han til sin plads, og han blandede sig ikke i deres placeringsarrangement.		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 aftensmåltidet, bortset fra at deres fødder stadig var uvaskede, og deres humør var alt andet end behagelig. Da Mesteren ankom, var de stadig i gang med uhøflige bemærkninger om hinanden, for ikke at nævne de tanker hos nogle, der havde tilstrækkelig kontrol over deres følelser, til ikke at udtrykke dem 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) For nogle få øjeblikke efter, at Mesteren havde taget sin plads blev der ikke sagt et ord. Jesus så på dem alle, lettede spændingen med et smil og sagde: "Jeg har set meget frem til at indtage dette påskemåltid med jer. Jeg ønskede endnu engang at spise i jeres selskab før min lidelse, og da jeg indser, at min time er kommet, har jeg arrangeret at spise dette måltid med jer i aften, for hvad angår i morgen er vi alle i Faderens hånd, og det er hans vilje jeg er kommet for at gøre. Jeg vil ikke mere spise sammen med jer, indtil du sidder med mig i riget, som min Fader vil give mig, når jeg har afsluttet det, for hvilken han sendte mig ind i denne verden."		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 vinen og vandet var blevet blandet bragte de bægeret til Jesus, efter at han havde modtaget det fra Thaddeus hånd, holdt det, mens han takkede Gud. Og da han var færdig med taksigelsen, sagde han: "Tag dette bæger og del det mellem jer, og når du drikker fra det indse, at jeg ikke længere vil drikke af frugten af vin med dig, fordi det er vores sidste nadver. Når vi næste gang sidder til bords på denne måde, skal det gøres 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 sin tale til apostlene, fordi han vidste, at hans time var kommet. Han forstod, at tiden var kommet, da 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 hans barmhjertighed til menneskeheden, og at han havde fuldført, grunden til at han kom til verden, selv til at modtage al magt og myndighed i himlen og på jorden. Ligeledes vidste han at Judas Iskariot havde absolut besluttet at overlevere ham den aften i hænderne på sine fjender. Han indså fuldt ud, at dette forræderiske forræderi var Judas gerning, men at det også behagede Lucifer, Satan og mørkets fyrste Caligastia. Men han frygtede ingen af dem, der ønskede at styrte ham åndeligt til dem, der ønskede at udføre hans fysiske død. Mesteren havde kun én angst, nemlig for hans udvalgte efterfølgers sikkerhed og frelse. Så nu med fuld viden om, at Faderen havde lagt alt i hans hænder, gjorde Mesteren sig parat til at fremføre en lignelse om broderkærlighed.		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 det første påskebæger, var det skik hos jøderne, at værten rejste sig fra bordet og vaskede sine hænder. Senere under måltidet, efter det andet bæger, rejste alle gæsterne sig ligeledes og vaskede deres hænder. Da apostlene vidste, at Mesteren aldrig observerede disse ceremonielle håndvasknings ritualer, var de meget nysgerrig efter at vide, hvad han ville gøre, når, efter at de havde nydt det første bæger, rejste sig fra bordet og lydløst gik hen mod døren, hvor vandkrukkerne, bassiner, og håndklæder var blevet placeret. Og deres nysgerrighed voksede til forbavselse, da de så Mesteren fjerne sine ydre klæder, tog et håndklæde på og begynder at hælde vand i et af fodfadene. Forestil jer forundring hos disse tolv mænd, som så nylig havde nægtet at vaske hinandens fødder og som havde indladt sig på sådanne usømmelige stridigheder om hæderspladserne ved bordet, da de så Mesteren gå rundt om den frie ende af bordet til selskabets laveste plads, hvor Simon Peter sad tilbagelænet, knælende i en tjeners stilling og gøre sig klar til at vaske Simons fødder. Da Mesteren knælede, stod alle tolv op som en enkelt mand; selv den forræderiske Judas glemte et øjeblik sin skam, rejste sig sammen med sine apostolske kollegaer i dette udtryk for overraskelse, respekt, og totalt 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 for ham at sige noget. Hans holdning afslørede tydeligt, at han ville vaske Simon Peters fødder. Uanset hans kødelige svagheder elskede Peter Mesteren. Denne galilæiske fisker var det første menneske, der helhjertet troede på Jesu guddommelighed og som fuldt ud og offentligt bekendte denne tro. Peter havde aldrig siden alvorlig tvivlet på Mesterens guddommelige natur. Da Peter så æret og hædret Jesus i sit hjerte, var det ikke mærkeligt, at hans sjæl gjorde oprør mod tanken om, at Jesus knælede foran ham i en simpel tjeners position og klar til at vaske hans fødder som en slave skulle. Da Peter efter et øjeblik fik samlet sig tilstrækkeligt nok til at tiltale Mesteren, udtrykte han, hvad alle hans medapostle følte i deres hjerter.		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 nogle få øjeblikke med denne store forlegenhed sagde Peter: "Mester, vil du virkelig vaske mine fødder?" Da sagde Jesus, som så op i Peters ansigt: "Du forstår måske ikke helt, hvad jeg vil gøre, men senere skal du forstå betydningen af alt dette." Men Simon Peter, tog en dyb indånding og sagde: "Mester, vask aldrig mine fødder!", og hver af apostlene nikkede deres godkendelse af Peters bestemte erklærede afvisning af at tillade Jesus på denne måde at ydmyge sig foran dem.		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 effekt af denne usædvanlige scene rørte til og med hjertet af selve Judas Iskariot, men da hans forfængelige intellekt bedømte denne præstation, konkluderede han, at denne gestus af ydmyghed blot var endnu episode, der overbevisende beviste, at Jesus aldrig ville kvalificere sig til Israel befrier, og at han ikke havde begået en fejl, da han besluttede at desertere 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) Da de alle stod der i åndeløs forbløffelse, sagde Jesus: "Peter, jeg at fortælle dig, at hvis jeg ikke vasker dine fødder, har du ingen del med mig i, hvad jeg er ved at udføre." Da Peter hørte denne erklæring, mens Jesus stadig lå på knæ der ved hans fødder, gjorde han en af disse afgørelser fra blind samtykke i overensstemmelse med ønsket fra en, som han respekterede og elskede. Da det begyndte at gå op for Simon Peter, at der i udførelsen af denne tjeneste var knyttet en betydning, som bestemte ens fremtidige forbindelse med Mesterens arbejde, forsonede han sig ikke kun med idéen om at lade Jesus vaske hans fødder, men sagde i sin karakteristiske og fremfusende måde: "I så fald, Mester, vask ikke kun mine fødder, men vask mine hænder og 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 skulle begynde at vaske Peters fødder, sagde han: "Den, der er allerede er ren behøver kun at få vasket fødderne. Jer, som sidder med mig i aften er rene - men ikke alle. Men støvet af jeres fødder skal vaskes væk, før I sætter jer til bords med mig. Og desuden vil jeg gerne udføre denne tjeneste for jer som en lignelse for at illustrere betydningen af et nyt bud, som jeg i dag 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 og vaskede i stilhed sine tolv apostles fødder, uden at forbigå Judas. Da Jesus havde vasket fødderne af de tolv iførte han sig sin kappe, vendte tilbage til sin plads som vært, og sagde, efter at have set ud over sine forvirrede apostle:		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) "Vil I virkelig forstå, hvad jeg har gjort for jer? I kalder mig Mester, og med rette, for det er jeg. Hvis nu Mesteren har vasket jeres fødder, hvorfor var I da så tilbageholdende med at vaske hinandens fødder? Hvad lektion bør du lære af denne lignelse, hvor Mesteren så villigt gør denne tjeneste, som hans brødre var så uvillige til at gøre for hinanden? Sandelig, sandelig, siger jeg jer: En tjener er ikke større end sin herre, og en der er udsendt er ikke større end den, som har sendt ham. I har i mit liv blandt jer set, hvordan man tjener, og velsignet er I som vil have det nådige mod til at tjene på samme måde. Men hvorfor er I så langsomme til at lære, at hemmeligheden bag storhed i det åndelige rige ikke er ligesom magtens metoder 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 rum i aften, nægtede I ikke kun stolt at vaske hinandens fødder, men I begyndte også indbyrdes at skændes om, hvem der skulle have hæderspladserne ved mit bord. Sådanne hædersbevisninger søger farisæerne og denne verdens børn, men det bør ikke være sådan blandt de himmelske riges ambassadører. Ved I ikke, at der ikke kan være nogen plads som er bedre end en anden ved mit bord? Forstår I ikke, at jeg elsker hver eneste af jer lige så meget som alle andre? Ved I ikke, at pladsen nærmest mig, som mennesker opfatter sådan en ære, ikke kan have nogen betydning, om jeres position i himmelriget? Du ved, at fremmede konger hersker over deres undersåtter, selv om de, der udøver denne myndighed kaldes velgørere. Men sådan vil det ikke være i himmelriget. Den, der ønsker at være stor blandt jer, lad ham blive som den yngste; mens den, der ønsker at være en leder, lad ham blive som en der tjener. Hvem er den større, den, der sidder ved bordet, eller den, der tjener? Anses det ikke generelt for at den person, der sidder ved bordet, er større? Men du vil bemærke, at jeg er iblandt jer som den, der tjener. Hvis du er villig til at blive mine medtjenere i at gøre Faderens vilje, vil du i det kommende rige sidde med mig ved magten, og stadig gør Faderens vilje i fremtidens 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, serverede Alpheus tvillingerne brødet og vinen samt de bitre urter og pasta af tørrede frugter, som udgjorde næste ret i 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) For nogle minutter spiste apostlene i stilhed, men under indflydelse af Mesterens muntre attitude var de snart trukket ind i samtalen, og inden længe fortsatte måltidet, som om intet usædvanligt var sket for at forstyrre den gode stemning og selskabelige harmoni ved denne særlige lejlighed. Efter at nogen tid var gået, omtrent midt i måltidets anden ret, så Jesus ud over dem og sagde: "Jeg har fortalt jer, hvor meget jeg ønskede at spise dette aftensmåltid med jer, og da jeg ved, hvordan de mørke onde kræfter har rottet sig sammen for at skabe Menneskesønnens død, besluttede jeg at tage dette måltid med dig i dette hemmelige rum og en dag før påske, fordi jeg ikke vil være sammen med dig på dette tidspunkt i morgen aften. Jeg har gentagne gange fortalt dig, at jeg skal vende tilbage til Faderen. Nu er min time kommet, men det var ikke nødvendigt at en af jer skulle forråde mig i hænderne på mine fjender."		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 allerede at være frataget en stor del af deres selvsikkerhed og deres selvtillid ved lignelsen om fodvaskningen og Mesterens efterfølgende ord, begyndte de at se på hinanden, mens de i en flov tone tøvende spurgte: "Er det jeg?" Da de alle havde stillet deres spørgsmål sagde Jesus: "Selv om det er nødvendigt, at jeg begiver mig til Faderen, var det ikke nødvendigt, at en af jer skulle blive en forræder for at opfylde Faderens vilje. Dette er den modne frugt af den skjulte ondskab i hjertet af en, der ikke med hele sin sjæl elskede sandhed. Hvor svigefuld er ikke den intellektuelle stolthed, der går forud for det åndelige forfald! Min mangeårige ven, som selv nu spiser mit brød, er villig til at forråde mig, ligesom han nu dypper i samme fad som jeg gør."		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) Da Jesus havde sagt disse ord, begyndte de alle igen at spørge: "Er det jeg?" Og da Judas, som sad til venstre for sin Mester, igen spurgte: "Er det jeg?", dyppede Jesus et stykke brød i fadet med urter, rakte det til Judas, og sagde: "Du har sagt det." Men de andre hørte ikke Jesus sige noget til Judas. Johannes, som sad tilbagelænet på Jesu højre hånd, lænede sig over og spurgte Mesteren: "Hvem er det? Vi skal vide, hvem det er, der er utro til hans mission." Jesus svarede: "Jeg har allerede fortalt jer, selv til ham, som jeg gav et stykke brød." Men det var så almindeligt, at værten gav et stykke brød til den, der sad ved siden af til venstre for ham, at ingen tog notits af det, selvom Mester havde udtrykt sig så klart. Men Judas var smerteligt klar over betydningen af Mesterens ord forbundet med handling, og han blev bange for at hans brødre også nu var klar over, at han var en forræder.		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 af, hvad der var blevet sagt. Han lænede sig frem over bordet og sagde til Johannes, "Spørg ham, hvem det er, eller hvis han har fortalt dig, fortæl mig hvem er forræderen."		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 er ked af, at dette onde skulle behøves at ske, og jeg håbede, indtil dette øjeblik, at effekten af sandheden ville triumfere over det ondes bedrag, men sådanne sejre vindes ikke uden den tro, der afspejler en oprigtig kærlighed til sandheden. Jeg havde ikke ønsket at tale med jer om dette på vores sidste måltid, men jeg vil advare dig om disse sorger og så forberede dig til, hvad der nu er over os. Jeg har fortalt dette til jer, fordi jeg vil have jer til at huske, efter at jeg er gået, at jeg vidste alt om disse onde konspirationer, og at jeg på forhånd fortalte dig, at jeg ville blive forrådt. Og jeg gør kun alt dette, for at du kan blive styrket for de fristelser og prøvelser som umiddelbart er forestående."		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 sagt dette, lænede han sig over mod Judas og sagde: "Det du har besluttet at gøre, gør det hurtigt." Da Judas hørte disse ord, han rejste sig fra bordet, forlod hastigt værelset og gik ud i natten for at gøre, hvad han havde sat sit sind til at udrette. Da de andre apostle så Judas skynde sig ud efter at Jesus havde talt til ham, troede de, at han var gået for at skaffe noget mere til måltidet eller at gøre nogle ærinde for Mesteren, for de formodede, han stadig bar pengeposen.		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 intet kunne gøres for at forhindre Judas i at være forrædere. Han startede med tolv - nu havde han elleve. Han valgte de første seks af disse apostle, og selvom Judas var blandt dem, som var udpeget af hans første valgte apostle, accepterede Mesteren ham og havde indtil dette øjeblik gjort alt for at helliggøre og redde ham, ligesom han havde gjort for fred og frelse af de andre.		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) Denne aftensmad, med sine ømme episoder og blødgørende hånd, var Jesu sidste appel til den deserterende Judas, men det var nytteløst. Selv hvis en advarsel er givet på den mest taktfulde måde og i den mest venlige ånd, forstærker den som regel kun hadet og nære den onde vilje til fuldt ud at udføre ens egne egoistiske projekter, når kærligheden engang uigenkaldeligt 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" til Jesus, rejste han sig fra sofaen, tog bægeret i sine hænder, velsignede det og sagde: "Tag dette bæger og drik alle fra det. Dette skal være bægeret til ihukommelse af mig. Dette er bægeret, der velsigner en ny dispensation af nåde og sandhed. Dette bør være et symbol for jer for overdragelsen og tjeneste af sandhedens Ånd. Jeg vil ikke drikke fra dette bæger med jer, indtil jeg i ny form drikker sammen 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 noget ud over det sædvanlige var ved at skete, da de i ærbødighed og dyb tavshed drak fra velsignelsens bæger. Den gamle påske blev fejret til minde om at deres fædre var fremkommet fra en tilstand af hele folkets slaveri til individuel frihed. Nu indstiftede Mesteren et nyt mindemåltid som et symbol på den nye dispensation hvorunder de slavebundne individer fremkommer fra ceremoniel og selvisk trældom til åndelig glæde af broderskab og fællesskab af de befriede troens sønner af den levende Gud.		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 havde tømt dette nye mindebæger tog Mesteren brødet, og efter at have givet tak, brød det i stykker, bad dem om at sende det rundt, og sagde: "Tag dette mindebrød og spis det. Jeg har fortalt dig, at jeg er livets brød. Og denne livets brød er Faderens og Sønnens forenede liv i en enkelt gave. Faderens ord, som det åbenbares i Sønnen, er faktisk livets brød." Da de havde fået en del af mindebrødet, symbolet på sandhedens levende ord inkarneret i lighed med dødelig kød, 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 mindemåltid, tyede han sig vanen tro altid til lignelser og symboler. Han brugte symbolerne, fordi han ønskede at lære visse store åndelige sandheder på en sådan måde, at det ville gøre det vanskeligt for hans efterfølgere at etablere præcise fortolkninger og bestemte betydninger til hans ord. På denne måde søgte han at forhindre senere generationer fra at krystallisere hans lære og binde hans åndelige betydninger med traditionernes og dogmernes livløse lænker. Ved etableringen af denne enkelte ceremoni eller dette ene sakramente i forbindelse med hele hans livsmission, gjorde Jesus sig stor umage for at foreslå sine betydninger, i stedet for at forpligte sig til præcise definitioner. Han ønskede ikke at ødelægge den enkeltes guddommelige fællesskab ved at etablere en præcis form; han ønskede heller ikke at begrænse den troendes åndelige fantasi ved at begrænse den til det formelle. Han søgte i stedet at sætte menneskets genfødte sjæl fri på 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) Uanset Mesterens indsats for at etablere dette nye sakramente mindesmærke på denne måde, har hans efterfølger i de følgende århundreder sikret, at hans udtrykkelige ønske effektivt blev forpurret i at den enkle åndelige symbolik i hans sidste nat i kødet er blevet reduceret til præcise fortolkninger og underkastet en færdigt formels næsten matematiske præcision. Af hele Jesu lære er ingen del blevet mere tradition standardiseret end denne.		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 mindemåltid, når det anvendes af dem, der tror på Sønnen, og kender Gud, har ingen grund til at være bundet i dets symbolik med nogen af menneskets barnagtige fejlfortolkninger om betydningen af den guddommelige tilstedeværelse, for ved alle sådanne lejligheder er Mesteren virkelig nærværende. Mindemåltidet er den troendes symbolske møde med Mikael. Når du dermed bliver åndebevidst, er Sønnen faktisk til stede, og hans ånd fraternisere med fragmentet af hans Fader i menneskets indre.		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 hengivet sig et øjeblik i meditation, fortsatte Jesus med at sige: "Når I gør dette, skal I husker det liv jeg har levet på jorden blandt jer og glæde jer over, at jeg vil fortsætte med at leve på jorden med dig og tjene gennem jer. Som individer, skændes ikke indbyrdes, hvem der skal være størst. Vær i alle som brødre. Og når riget vokser til at omfatte store grupper af troende, ligeledes skal du ikke konkurrerer om at være den største eller søge præference frem for andre 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) Denne vigtige begivenhed fandt sted i det øverste rum hos en ven. Der var ingenting af hellig form eller ceremoniel indvielse i forbindelse med enten aftensmåltidet eller bygningen. Mindemåltidet blev etableret uden kirkelig godkendelse.		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: "Så ofte som du gør dette, gør det til minde om mig. Og når du husker mig, se først tilbage på mit jordiske liv, tænk på, at jeg engang var med dig, og så, ved tro, se, at I alle igen vil sidde med mig i Faderens evige rige. Dette er den nye påske, som jeg overlader til dig, selv mindet af mit overdragelse liv, af det evige sandhedens ord; og mindet om min kærlighed til jer, udgydelsen af min Sandhedens 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) De afsluttede fejringen af den gamle, men ublodig påske i forbindelse med indstiftelse af det nye mindemåltid, med at alle sammen sang den hundredeogattende 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.