All of us are familiar with Leonardo da Vinci’s iconic painting of The Last Supper. Unlike frescos painted onto wet plaster, da Vinci painted this incredible masterpiece onto the dry wall of the dining room, or refectory, of the convent in Milan, Italy where friars shared their communal meals. It took him over three years to complete and due to the fragile nature of this famous artwork, limited tickets are now issued to those who wish to see it in person.
Thankfully, the likeness of this extraordinary painting has been reproduced and made available on many items including puzzles, wall hangings, carvings, posters, stained glass, etc. Many years ago my father completed a paint-by-number version of this meal that hangs on our dining room wall in a walnut frame made by local artisan, Jake Sheetz.
While this is the most well-known portrayal of Jesus’ last meal with His disciples, it is likely far from the reality of the actual event. Instead of all 13 men lined up behind a table, it is much more likely that participants reclined on couches in a u-shape which was common at the time. Or, as the latest issue of Biblical Archaeology Review proposes, they sat on floor mats around shared serving dishes.
Regardless of the exact arrangement, we are approaching Maundy Thursday when this momentous event took place. It was on that evening that Jesus instituted what we now know as Holy Communion, or the Eucharist. That night, he also washed the feet of His disciples demonstrating physically what He taught verbally about humility and service. Some churches, such as most Brethren congregations, share the Love Feast once or twice each year which includes a fellowship meal, feetwashing, and Holy Communion endeavoring to obey Jesus’ command to do as He did and, after a fashion, reenact the Last Supper, albeit without costumes.
While most are familiar with some of the dynamics among the disciples that night, including the fact that Judas was already contemplating his betrayal, many are not as familiar with a difficulty Leonardo encountered in completing this painting. Apparently, like all of us, da Vinci had people with whom he struggled to get along. On this occasion, he had reached his limit, lost his temper, and lashed out in anger against an individual.
With the issue unresolved and the relationship strained, the artist returned to his work to concentrate on painting the face of Jesus, the central and most important figure of the image. After repeated attempts at doing so, he found he was unable to depict the peaceful, honest, loving, and resolute face of the Savior with his guilt weighing heavily on his heart. In humility and confession he sought out the one at whom he had exploded and apologized for acting like anything but a Christ-follower. The man forgave the artist and da Vinci returned to complete this central portion of the work.
The name of Maundy Thursday comes from the Latin word, mandatum, which means command, and it highlights Jesus’ new command that He repeated at least five times in their hearing that night. What was that new command? “Love one another.” This was the very issue that da Vinci was wrestling with while trying to accurately portray the holy Savior.
In I Corinthians 11, the Apostle Paul warns believers to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink of the cup of Holy Communion. Those of us who seek to follow the Master should evaluate our relationships, especially with other believers, before we sit around Jesus’ table with them to share this special privilege. Da Vinci’s experience should remind us that we cannot really “face” Jesus properly until we resolve issues with our brothers and sisters in His Body, the Church. As we approach Holy Week and remember Jesus’ Triumphal Entry, Last Supper, Crucifixion and Resurrection, let us take whatever steps we need to in order to face Jesus properly. Blessings, George