Upper Room

Christ's last act before His sacrifice was to institute the New Covenant with His apostles.  Just like Sinai was the setting for the Old Covenant, the Upper Room was the setting for the New Covenant.  Christ's ultimate sacrifice was to fulfill His covenant that He instituted.  Here is a question people can venture a guess at: Why did Christ institute the Covenant before He had fulfilled it?  Although I have no idea why before instead of after, Christ instituting the sacrament shows He knew, at least intellectually, what He was about to go through.

In an effort to understand my ignorance a little better, I started looking at Peter a bit closer.  Peter, the foundation of the original organization of the primitive church, was able to act on many principles of which he did not have a complete understanding.  There are 4 specific examples in the scriptures that illustrate this principle

Act 1 "Thou art the Christ"

Banias, the place of Peter's declaration "Thou art the Christ"

By the time that Jesus had walked with the disciples for some time, Peter recognized him as the Messiah.  His perception of what the Messiah had come to do, was obviously skewed.  In the succeeding verses in Matthew 16, Christ explains to his apostles that he must die and be resurrected on the third day, to which Peter begins to tell him off for thinking like that.  The way that Christ responds seems to indicate that Peter wasn't just saying that he didn't want Christ to die, but that Peter did not understand the role Christ would play as Savior of all humankind.  Peter was likely expecting a political or instructional leader who would change the earthly situation of the Jews in general.  Even throughout the rest of Christ's ministry it appears that Peter didn't understand who Christ really was.

Act 2:  The Washing of the Feet

After the Supper, Christ began washing the feet of the disciples.  He likely started with John, who was closest to him, but Peter was not the first.  As Christ made his way to Peter, he questioned Him, knowing of His greatness, why He was doing this.  Christ acknowledged Peter's ignorance at this point by telling him, "What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter." 

Elder Uchdorf with our class for the Upper Room night.  I'm in the 4th row, slightly to the left! 

Peter seems to have grown spiritually by his reaction by this time when he responds emphatically "not my feet only, but also my hands and my feet." Peter knew at this point.  Maybe he didn't know what the Lord would require of him.  Maybe he didn't know the cost of discipleship.  Maybe he didn't know how to fulfill all of his covenants, and maybe he didn't know that Jesus was the divine Redeemer.  But he knew that Jesus was the Christ.   Peter knew that he had to be loyal to Him.  

Act 3:  Peter in Gallicantu 

Right after Peter had the momentous occasion of the Last Supper he slips into slumber while the Christ suffered for the sins of the world.  To add insult to injury, Peter denied knowing Christ three times as he was held captive, and within earshot of the Savior.  The Savior had to literally and figuratively be alone, but this is Peter we are talking about.  Peter, the greatest man to walk this planet since Moses, isn't a loyal friend when it counted the most.  As Elder Holland says, "The crowning characteristic of love is loyalty."  Did Peter know that Jesus was the Christ? Yes.  Was Peter willing to go through everything with Jesus?  At this time, it appears not.  But then again, where were the other 12 apostles.  Even Thomas, who said that he would go to Jerusalem to die with the Lord, wasn't by his side.   So although we don't know much about Peter's intentions, I believe it was a turning point for Peter's relationship with Christ (one for the better because it made him repent), and also a turning point in his discipleship. 

Act 4:  On the Galilee

Overlooking Galilee with Tiberias in the background

When Christ asked Peter "Do you love me" three separate times, it must have changed Peter's life.  Peter knew how he felt about Christ.  Peter always acted without thinking.  Before going fishing, I'm sure Peter probably just thought that it was all done.  He didn't know what to think.  As much as a moment as it was for Peter, it must have been a moment for the rest of the apostles as well.  What they didn't know, or at least completely understand, is that the Lord requires everything from us ALL THE TIME.  The gospel is not a spectator sport. It is not to be taken lightly.  It is everything.  And Christ was pulling the love card because Peter really did love the Lord. Not as much as he would eventually, but probably more than any other mortal at the time.  The crowning characteristic of love is loyalty.  Peter was loyal the rest of his life.  I think I can be like Peter at least in that regard.