Day 2 | The Last Supper
Lisa Scheffler, author
Hundreds of years before Jesus walked the earth, God was preparing the way for Christ’s arrival through his chosen people, the descendants of Abraham. The book of Exodus tells of how God rescues Israel from slavery, abuse, and death in Egypt and leads them to the promised land. These events were central to the identity of the Jews, and remembering them became part of their worship of Yahweh.
Generations of Jewish people have celebrated Passover and remembered the mercy of God who spared them from judgment and then led them out of slavery and into a new land. On Jesus’ final night before his crucifixion, he would celebrate the Passover one last time with his disciples. This “Last Supper” had special significance. Just hours after this meal, Jesus would take on the sins of the world. His sacrifice enables escape from God’s judgment and freedom from slavery to sin and death.
Read
Matthew 26:17-30
17 On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?”
18 He replied, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.’ ” 19 So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover.
20 When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. 21 And while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.”
22 They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, “Surely you don’t mean me, Lord?”
23 Jesus replied, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. 24 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.”
25 Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?”
Jesus answered, “You have said so.”
26 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.”
27 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”
30 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
Reflect
Jesus, knowing his time is short, gathers his disciples to celebrate the Passover. Families all over Israel were gathering for this meal, a time to remember and celebrate God’s great act of rescue. Jesus, surrounded by men he clearly loves and had been pouring his life into, wants to prepare them for what is to come.
With all the disciples gathered, Jesus takes the opportunity to make a startling announcement. Among his beloved followers is a traitor, one who has been masquerading as a disciple, but whose heart does not belong to Jesus. Matthew makes sure that the depth of this betrayal is not lost on us. The disciples knew that there were many outside their circle who opposed Jesus, but were shocked that there could be someone treacherous on the inside.
As part of the Passover meal, the host would present and interpret the different elements. This night, Jesus takes two of these elements, the bread and the cup, and gives them new meaning that pointed to the salvation that he would provide. The phrase “blood of the covenant” would have sounded familiar to his disciples.
In the Old Testament, a blood sacrifice was required for binding a covenant and receiving forgiveness. At its root, all sin is against God and atonement must be made. Disobedience comes with a cost. Through the prophet Jeremiah, Yahweh laments the ways in which Israel has broken covenant with him, and speaks of a new covenant in which his law will be “written on their hearts” and enable them to “know him.” When Jesus proclaims that his blood is poured out for the forgiveness of sin, his disciples would have remembered God’s promise spoken through Jeremiah to “forgive their wickedness” and “remember their sins no more” (31:31-34). Christ’s sacrifice would be complete. He would pay the price for our disobedience, so our sins could be forgiven.
Jesus concludes the meal with a look to the future that also conveys his love for his followers. The disciples would have to go on without Jesus’ physical presence, but can rest assured that he will be waiting for them to share in the blessings of his father. This is a blessing that is extended to us as Christ’s followers. One day we will all be united in God’s Kingdom, and we will celebrate together all that he has done and all that he has planned.
Pray
Take time to reflect on Jesus’ last meal with his disciples, and the Lord’s Supper that we still observe today. Reflect on the love Jesus had for his followers, even Judas who betrayed him. Rest in his great love for you. Let God’s grace draw you to repent for the ways you are thinking and acting that contradict his ways. Experience his forgiveness and rejoice in the future you will have with Jesus after his return.
