Throughout a sumptuous dinner (my brother-in-law's treat) last night and into the early morning hours of today I was fellowshipping with my brother-in-law and his family, who had come up from JB to attend their annual church camp event. We were caught up with many things including the trip my wife and I had taken, early this year to Israel.
Our conversation focused on the Jewish guide who revealed to us the truth about the "Last Supper" which was the last meal Jesus had with his disciples. This experience really highlighted to me the importance of knowing the whole truth and not partial truth as the verse of the Bible below reflects:
1Co 13:12 For now we see in a mirror dimly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. (KJ2000)
Many times throughout our lives we know only in part and not the whole, on any subject matter. Much of our knowledge is second-hand and or after passing to many hands and some even totally distorted for the original "horse's mouth" as it were.
This is what I learnt, that it is always a good idea to check everything out. We can't be sure of the truths we hold on to because it can be partial. Let every truth be confirmed with two or three identical references and in context of what we are researching. Hopefully our source of reference is good or it is from the TRUTH . I know, even Pilate asked Jesus the question "What is truth?"
Two examples of what was claimed to be truth was shattered by what our Jewish guide related. One, was the portrayal by a famous artist of the last supper that Jesus had with His disciples. The Jewish guide explained, (at the time of His death about AD 33) the custom and culture during the Passover feast (The Last Supper) which He ate with his disciples. This scene was painted by this famous painter and he probably didn't know the custom and culture of Jesus time. The custom and culture dictated that they had a seating order and they reclined in a specific posture.
The feast of the passover was an important celebration where the story of the Israelites' exodus from Egypt was remembered and recited to the youngest person in the meal. Therefore this dictates the order of the seating position. The seating is in a U shape form and the first person will be the youngest person who will ask the "guest of honor", who is usually the oldest, the question of what happened during the passover. These positions were taken by John, the youngest disciple and then Jesus, the guest of honor. The next position is for the host and ranking in the order of importance to the least important person sitting in the last seat.
The posture was a reclining posture and therefore they had their feet washed before the came to the meal. This will enable them to lean over as John the youngest person did, on Jesus bosom. The feet was clean and did not smell as they ate together.
A popular book disciphering some secret code had both the reclining position and seating order wrong. Yet most of the mystery in this book was based on this famous painting. I also like to echo Pilate here and ask the question "What is truth?"
My conclusion as we headed to bed was that we have to know the truth and keep at it, till we know the whole truth. And where do I go to do this, if not the WORD of GOD, discerned by the empowering of the Holy Spirit.
Sounds very spiritual .........do we have an option or a choice?
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