The Last Supper
Passion Week: Thursday
Written by: Jennifer Williams
Today we celebrate the Last Supper. This is Jesus’ final meal with His disciples. The story of the last supper can be found in all four of the gospels (Matthew 26, Mark 14, Luke 14, and John 13). There is a lot happening during this time and there is so much to be thankful for in the Last Supper.
Firstly, we can be thankful for the humility of Christ. In the gospel of John, we see an incredible act of humility that in the middle of the Last Supper meal.
“It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.2 The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from Godand was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.” John 13:1-4.
Lord, help us to be thankful in the midst of passion week! Lord, we thank you for Jesus’ humility that saved us. Thank you for sending Jesus to be the perfect lamb. Thank you for completely forgiving our sins. We praise you for the new covenant! Amen!
Firstly, we can be thankful for the humility of Christ. In the gospel of John, we see an incredible act of humility that in the middle of the Last Supper meal.
“It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.2 The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from Godand was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.” John 13:1-4.
We can be thankful for Christ’s humility, because it was in humility that He laid his life down for us. In Philippians 2, Paul states “Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!” I am so thankful that Christ demonstrated humilty by washing His disciples’ feet and ultimately dying on the cross for us.
We can also be thankful that Christ is the perfect lamb! The Last Supper was a celebration of Passover. In the Old Testament the Passover feast was established when Israel left Egypt. The Israelites were instructed to kill a lamb without spot or blemish. They would take it’s blood and paint it on their doorpost and then eat the meat without breaking its bones. The Angel of Death saw the blood on the door and passed over the house. Ultimately, the plague of death allowed for the deliverance of Israel. This was a foreshadowing of Jesus’ sacrifice. His blood spilled paid the price for our sins: death. None of His bones were broken. He was the perfect man and the perfect sacrifice. His death lead to the deliverance from our sins! I am thankful that Christ was the perfect lamb!
Lastly, we can be thankful for the New Covenant.
“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[b] 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.” Matthew 26: 26-27
We can also be thankful that Christ is the perfect lamb! The Last Supper was a celebration of Passover. In the Old Testament the Passover feast was established when Israel left Egypt. The Israelites were instructed to kill a lamb without spot or blemish. They would take it’s blood and paint it on their doorpost and then eat the meat without breaking its bones. The Angel of Death saw the blood on the door and passed over the house. Ultimately, the plague of death allowed for the deliverance of Israel. This was a foreshadowing of Jesus’ sacrifice. His blood spilled paid the price for our sins: death. None of His bones were broken. He was the perfect man and the perfect sacrifice. His death lead to the deliverance from our sins! I am thankful that Christ was the perfect lamb!
Lastly, we can be thankful for the New Covenant.
“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[b] 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.” Matthew 26: 26-27
During the Last Supper, Jesus introduced a New Covenant. A Covenant not built on sacrificing sheep and oxen, but Jesus’ perfect sacrifice. A covenant that did not atone sin, but FORGAVE it! How blessed we are to be in the New Covenant. This new covenant allows all of us to commune with God. To sit at His table and be close to Him! To literally be seated in Christ! Thank you Lord for the New Covenant!
Lord, help us to be thankful in the midst of passion week! Lord, we thank you for Jesus’ humility that saved us. Thank you for sending Jesus to be the perfect lamb. Thank you for completely forgiving our sins. We praise you for the new covenant! Amen!
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In pondering the New Covenant the beauty I see is its simplicity. It reminds me of the scripture words, "If you love me you will keep my commandments." Or, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and with all your mind." The Old Covenant was so complex. The simplicity of love is deeply ingrained in the New Covenant. Thank you for the reminder of this aspect of Jesus's sacrifice.
Glory to God. So thankful that Jesus made a covenant with us. That He took it all on Himself so that we could wouldn’t have to suffer !! So thankful for the Life he has given me. I just stay in aww of Him !!