The lull before

After Mark 14:12-31

It is the usual meal,

the annual observance

of deliverance from

the angel of death

in the land of pharaoh,

the last and ultimate

plague foretold,

the death of the firstborn.

It is a celebration, yet

quiet and somber,

an annual thanksgiving

for salvation, redemption.

And yet. And yet.

This is different.

No plans are made.

It’s all last minute,

almost haphazard,

but directed, the man

with the water jug

will lead them 

to the house,

to the upper room.

Imagine the surprise

of the two disciples

told to do this.

They prepare the meal.

He talks of many things.

Betrayal by one present.

Betrayal by one who dips

bread.

He talks of the bread,

with a threefold command:

take it, eat it, understand it

as my body.

He talks of the wine,

with a threefold command:

take it, drink it, understand it

as my blood pour out.

They sing. They go 

to the olive groves

to rest, to pray.

The night begins.

It is the lull before.

Photograph by James Coleman via Unsplash. Used with permission.