The Last Supper

 Thursday

The Last Supper

“Before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world and return to His Father. He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the end.”

John 13:1

The end was near. He felt the weight of it bearing down on Him. He glanced at His disciples reclining at the table. He prayed that they would have faith, and that they would stand firm. The hours ahead would be hard on them as well. Their faith would be tested. He knew that God had given Him all authority, and that He would return to His Father. He rose from the table, took off His robe, wrapped a towel around His waist, and poured water into a basin. He went and knelt in front of Judas. He picked up one of his dust clad feet and began to wash the dirt, and grime away. The disciples were confused. Why was He washing their feet? This wasn’t a task for a Rabbi. And though they didn’t understand, He was showing them how they were to live, a life of love and service. They were to bend low, and put others above themselves. It was a beautiful act that foreshadowed His cleansing them of their sins through His death. 

After washing their feet, he rose, put on His robe and sat down. He looked around the table and said, “Do you understand what I was doing? You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord’ and you are right because that is what I am. And since I, your Lord and Teacher have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.” (John 13:12-15, NLT) Then, Jesus took some bread and blessed it. He broke it into pieces and gave it to them. He said, “This is my body, which is given to you.” (Luke 22:19, NLT) After they finished eating, Jesus took a cup of wine and said, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people-an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you.” (Luke 22:20, NLT) “You have stayed with me in my trial. And just as my Father has granted me a Kingdom, I now grant you the right to eat and drink at my table in my Kingdom.” (Luke 22:28-29, NLT) He rose from the table, and said, “Come with me. ‘For the time has come for this prophecy about me to be fulfilled: He was counted among the rebels. Yes, everything written about me by the prophets will come true.’” (Luke 22:37, NLT)

Jesus and His disciples left the upper room, and headed to the Mount of Olives. He needed to pray. Upon reaching the Mount of Olives, he said to them, “Pray that you will not give in to temptation.” (Luke 22:39, NLT). Jesus turned and walked a short distance from them. He knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” A light shone around Him. There beside Him was an angel sent to strengthen Him in His anguish. Jesus began to pray more fervently. His soul felt like it was being crushed. The weight of the sins He would bear pressed into His spirit. A battle waged within Him. He could feel the whispers of the tempter, the hisses of hell bidding Him to walk away. His soul was in such agony that sweat poured from His brow. His stomach tightened, blood dripped from His face unto His hands. Was there no other way than the suffering that was before Him? A sea of faces rose to His mind…it was my face, and your face. Love welled up within Him. He stood, set His face like flint, and headed to His death. 

In this one evening, Jesus was showing His disciples how to live, and how to suffer well. It is easy to lose the humanity of Jesus in His deity. He felt the weight of what was before Him. He felt the sting of Judas’ betrayal. He felt the sorrow of seeing His closest companions grieve over what was to come. Yet, He bent low to serve them. He washed Judas’ feet knowing that He would betray Him. He washed Peter’s feet knowing that He would deny Him. He loved them through it all to the very end. And this is how He calls us to live. He calls us to bend low, and to serve the very people who will reject us. He calls us to love those who will ridicule us. He calls us to love a broken, and dark world.

We will suffer in this world. John 16:33 says, “I have told you this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” Jesus knew suffering. His soul was in such agony that He was sweating drops of blood. What did He do in His suffering? He prayed to His Father. He got on His knees, and poured out His request. He prayed until His will was submitted to that of His Father. Often, in trials, it is easier to worry or try to figure a way out rather than to pray our way through the trial. Jesus is showing us that the way through suffering is through submitting to the will of God. He has a purpose and plan for our trials that will far outweigh the pain. He is conforming us to His likeness, and teaching us things that couldn’t be learned otherwise. So in your suffering remember to pray, for we have a great High Priest who understands suffering, and the weaknesses we face. Come boldly before Him for you will find mercy and grace (Hebrews 4:14-16, NLT)

Scripture Reading:

Matthew 26:17-75, Mark 14:12-72, Luke 22:7-62, John 13:1-38