Jesus gave two disciples one task — find the man in Jerusalem carrying a jug of water on his head. This man would lead them to the room to prepare the Passover meal (Mk 13:14-15, Lk 22:10-12).
That’s a tall order — how do you find the right man, in a city of 30,000 people, with thousands more visiting for Passover?
Well, very few men would have been carrying water on their head as that was typically a role reserved for women. This man likely would have been carrying out the task because he was a member of an all-male Jewish sect called the Essenes.
Upon finding the man, the two disciples were led through the narrow streets of Jerusalem to a small room, where they prepared the Passover meal.
Two thousand years later, the narrow roads remain, but the small room lies under the dirt. Above the site stands an unassuming two-story building. Only a small sign denotes the significance of the site. “Upper room, upstairs,” it reads.
One last meal with friends
Entering through a narrow gate, pilgrims walk up a winding staircase and are ushered through a small outdoor courtyard into an open room.
Columns throughout the room support the arched ceilings. Other than a small statue set in an alcove, the room is barren.
Here, 2,000 years ago, the world changed forever.
Gathered with his 12 closest friends, Jesus Christ celebrated the Passover meal, his last supper.
For the meal, the apostles and Jesus reclined on the floor, supporting their head with their left hands and using their right to eat from the food set on the floor.
Before the meal began, Christ took off his tunic and moved behind each of the apostles. Carefully, he washed each of their feet in an act of ultimate servant leadership (Jn 13:1-17).
‘The most consequential moment in human history’
As the meal began, Jesus broke a piece of unleavened bread, said a blessing, and shared it with his apostles, saying, “Take, eat; this is my body” (Mt 26:26).
Then, he took the chalice, said the blessing and gave it to the apostles and said, “Drink of it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Mt 26:27-28).
Tour guide Moshe Nov described the moment as the “the most consequential moment in human history, as it was the moment that Christianity and Judaism split.”
Now, all that commemorates this consequential moment is an open room with high, vaulted ceilings. One small metal statue on the side — an olive tree, with grape vines and wheat stalks — symbolizes Christ and the institution of the Eucharist.
The simplicity opens the door to the depth that this room holds. Here Christ gave us one of the greatest mysteries — his body and blood.
Here, the world changed forever. Now, at every moment, priests across the world say the same words that Christ said 2,000 years ago. Thus, Christ enters the world once again under the appearances of mere bread and wine.
