John 13:4-5  so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. ⁵ After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

Today we commemorate the Last Supper.  Some of the precious memories my family and I have of this special day are of the service that was held each year at St. Luke’s Anglican Church in Akron, Ohio.  The church had a semi-professional dramatic ministry called The Fisherpeople.  This ministry, founded years ago by a wonderful St. Luke’s couple, Bob and Suanne Crowley, has been powerfully used by God through the years to communicate His message through drama and comedy.

The Gospel of John expands so wonderfully upon this intimate evening with Jesus and his disciples.  Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and this evening meal was critically important in preparing his disciples for what was about to happen.  Jesus knew what the coming hours would bring.  The Fisherpeople were able to bring this rich, intimate evening to life.

This service at St. Luke’s was set up in the round.  All of the chairs surrounded the table where the disciples reclined and interacted with Jesus.  They weren’t up on a stage – but within a few feet of those sitting in the front rows.   It’s amazing how powerful it is to be in an intimate setting, seeing these actors, in costume, portraying Jesus and the 12 disciples living this event right before us.  The lights would be down and we were no longer observers but participants in the Last Supper.

Seeing and hearing Jesus interact with the disciples; hearing him teach; hearing him share with Peter the details of his coming denials – we became a part of it.  Watching the disciples relate to each other; seeing them respond as Jesus informs them that He is going to wash their feet – and then He does it.  It’s one thing to read about it or hear it – it’s another to see it being done right in front of you.

After washing the disciple’s feet, Jesus invited everyone in the audience to come get their feet washed.  I am in tears just thinking of how moving it was.  The disciples washed our feet!  Then when Jesus shared the first communion with them, we all were invited to come and share in that as well.  We all got to live out being a part of that special time.  What a powerful way to communicate the truth about our Lord!