Lent: The Last Supper

Journeying with Jesus to the cross, we find ourselves preparing for the Last Supper. Mealtime is one of my favorite family activities. Connecting, over a shared meal, brings us closer together. Jesus knew how precious these moments are. Because, moments become memories we cherish forever.

We pick up our story in Matthew with the disciples making preparations for their Last Supper. As they gathered around the table, Jesus created a moment of meaning that would have a lasting impact on us all. Digging into the text, we see God weaving a story from Old to New, which carries meaning right into our own lives today. In the midst of this traditional Passover meal, Jesus gives us one of our most sacred moments.

Communion.

As we look at four accounts of The Last Supper, I would invite you to read each passage on your own. I pray God will give us new insights, revealing just how connected everything really is.

• Starting with Matthew 26:17-30. (Please read the scripture on your own before moving forward.)

In Matthew, we see the disciples, his friends, us, asking, “Where do you want us to make preparations to eat the Passover meal?” They had already learned to look to Jesus for the way. Jesus understood the importance of the details as they prepared to remember together.

• Read Mark 14:12-26. 

In Mark’s gospel, he adds, “…when it was customary to sacrifice the Passover lamb.” From the study notes, we also learn this is the day before Jesus is to be crucified. Mark eludes to Jesus being that sacrificial lamb, although the disciples do not realize it yet. Also, before the Israelites were freed from captivity, they had to sacrifice a lamb and put blood on the doorpost in order for the Angel of the Lord to “pass over” them (Exodus 12).

• Read Luke 22:1-46.

Luke adds, “Then came the day…the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed.” Had to be. God is preparing Jesus, the disciples and us for what is next. Just like The Spirit led Jesus into wilderness for a purpose, the Last Supper was preparation for the fulfillment of God’s purpose. The Lamb had to be prepared to be sacrificed.

Also, during this traditional celebration, two feasts became one. The Feast of Unleavened Bread was a remembering of what God did in the desert (Exodus 16). They also celebrated Passover as a way to remember. And Jesus, through The Last Supper, is about to connect them all by creating a new thing we will continue to do “in remembrance of Him.”

• Then we come to 1 Corinthians 11:23-34, where Paul writes;

²³ For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, ²⁴ and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” ²⁵ In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” ²⁶ For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”

God, through Jesus, in a moment, connected the past, present and future, creating new life and new meaning. As we celebrate the Last Supper, the sacrament of communion is born. By participating in communion, we remember what God did and is still doing for us, and in us, today.

Take. Eat. This is my body broken for you. Do this in remembrance of me.

The Lamb had to be prepared. The body had to be broken. And just like the blood on the doorposts saved their lives, Jesus’ blood is still saving ours today. God sent His Son to die for us, so we might live. “O Death, where is thy sting. O grave, where is they victory?”  God gave us victory through Our Lord, Jesus Christ. May we always remember.

Let us pray;

Oh good and gracious God, forgive us for not remembering what You have done for us. Help us know You even more through the Last Supper. Teach us to live as Christ. So that we may celebrate our lives, understanding that it is only through Your death that we may live. In Jesus’ name. Amen. -M 

Take a moment and listen to this song. (If you cannot see the YouTube video, open this message in your browser.) 

P.S. As we remember our Last Supper, be sure to leave me a comment below and let me hear from you. Forward this message to a friend that might need some encouragement today. Share on Facebook and tag me in it. Until next time, ask yourself, how will I honor Christ today? -M