The Standard August 10, 2024
One of the most poignant, somber scenes in the Bible takes place earlier on the evening of Christ’s arrest, when Jesus and his disciples gather to celebrate the Passover feast. Christians remember Christ’s words of institution every time we partake of the Lord’s Supper.
“When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. And while they were eating, he said, ‘Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.’ They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, ‘Surely you don’t mean me, Lord?’ Jesus replied, ‘The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.’ Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, ‘Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?’ Jesus answered, ‘You have said so.’ While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, ‘Take and eat; this is my body.’ Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” Matthew 26:20-38
According to some Paris Olympic officials, The Last Supper, reminiscent of Leonardo de Vinci’s renowned mural, was part of a scene in an opening ceremony which took athletes in boats along the Seine River through the city’s center, with history coming alive all around in 12 artistic tableaux. This portion of the extravaganza has drawn controversy because of it being called a drag queen parody of The Last Supper, including a lesbian activist donning a large halo-like silver headdress, prominent at the center.
Shortly after the show, Jay Busbee, senior writer for Yahoo!sports reported, “Paris Olympics officials pushed back on the contention that the performance was anti-Christian. ‘Clearly, there was never an intention to show disrespect towards any religious group or belief,’ organizers said in a statement to the Telegraph. ‘On the contrary, each of the tableaux in the Paris 2024 Opening Ceremony was intended to celebrate community and tolerance.’ Organizers further noted that pop culture, from ‘The Simpsons’ to ‘The Sopranos,’ has parodied ‘The Last Supper’ for decades, if not centuries.”
Other officials insisted the inspiration came from the Greek god of wine and festivities, Dionysus, with a depiction of a pagan feast connected to the gods of Olympus. Another tableau featured three lovers engaging in flirtation then heading into a bedroom and closing the door behind them, hinting at a menage a trois.
We understand that unbelievers have no reason to live by biblical standards, so we shouldn’t be surprised when they don’t. The call of Jesus to follow and to live like he lived is a foreign concept to many and is not a popular priority in any age. While it is helpful for us to be aware of prevailing culture so we can respond in wise, empathetic ways, we should not fret about it. Our own sin should sadden us just as much. Knowing how it feels to have the most sacred parts of our faith mocked, we are better positioned to avoid putting those of other faiths in that position.
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