Maundy Thursday--when death entered the room

It was the penultimate night.
God in flesh knew his time was running short.
So once more, he gathered his own around him--
His own, and one who was no longer his own--
And as they came,
Death entered them room.

For years, he had taught them,
Through his whole life he had loved them,
And now, one night more to show them
How they could still love, still teach,
still be an example
Even when death enters the room.

He bade them enter,
Removed his robe and washed their feet,
But some still did not understand
How could the king of all be their servant?
Their minds were clouded
Since death had entered the room.

Lesson after lesson had they heard--
Heard but not understood--
And now he was clearly stating his desire for them--
Love one another as I have loved you--
But one refused to hear,
And through him, Death had entered the room.

The bread, commissioned
The wine, commissioned
This is my body, this is my blood.
As often as you do this, do it in memory of me.
And in so saying, he sought them to notice
That death had entered the room.

The one who had come brimming with  hate--
So much talk, so little action!--
Decided at this point that he had been right.
His action would create a spark--
force this man to act.
How did he not know that Death had entered the room?

The others still were not fully aware.
They only knew that their leader was once again proclaiming--what?
They weren't sure.
Year after year of masked teaching.
Maybe they were not to be blamed for not realizing
That Death had entered the room.

And now, on to Gesthemene,
On to Golgotha
On to the tomb.
What a mistake he made that night,
Full of pride, feeling he had won--
Yes, Death had entered the room.