Last Supper

Introduction

Perhaps one of the saddest times in the life of Jesus would be the events surrounding His final Passover meal. He had now finished His teachings for the multitude. No more healings would be conducted. There would be no more miracles in nature. The final week of His life before His death was quickly drawing to a close.

Declaration

The Last Supper shows us the most important message that Jesus left behind. When there is a coming difficulty or trial, we must remember the love that Jesus had for us who would come behind.

1. Preparation for the Meal

Luke 22:7–13 KJV 1900

Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed. And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat. And they said unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare? And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in. And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples? And he shall shew you a large upper room furnished: there make ready. And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.

Peter and John, often found as the messengers of Jesus, are sent into the city to find a place for the Passover meal. They are again given specific instructions on what to say and who to look for. How could they have prepared the meal if they did not have a lamb already set aside for slaughter?

The description that is given of the location for the supper is “the guestchamber”. Peter and John were to ask the man where one was already prepared. One commentator tells us this about the location:

The Gospel according to Luke Preparation for Passover (21:37–22:13)

Peter and John are to follow the water carrier and inquire of the owner of the house about “the guest room” for the Passover celebration (vv. 11–12). Jewish residents of Jerusalem were expected to make spare rooms in their houses available to Passover pilgrims. The “guest room” (Gk. katalyma) requested by Jesus was evidently such a room. The disciples will be shown a large, furnished, upstairs room for the Passover meal (v. 12). The only other time katalyma is mentioned in Luke is with reference to the guest room at Bethlehem (see discussion at 2:7), but the guest room referred to here must certainly exceed in size and appointment its Bethlehem counterpart. In addition to furniture, “furnished” (v. 12; Gk. strōnnyein) should be understood to include the “spreading out” of rugs and carpets on which to recline. The banquet room is well-appointed and belonged to a person of means. Mount Zion is the probable location of this meeting room, where a number of upscale dwellings have been excavated.36 The definite article of “the upper room” in

2. Discussion at the Meal

Luke 22:14–16 KJV 1900

And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him. And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.

Jesus wanted to spend this final meal with His disciples. He wanted to encourage them before He suffered. He wanted them to understand the significance of the sacrifice that He was about to make. One day, in the kingdom, we will observe this supper with Jesus Himself. Jesus was joyful to die for mankind.

Hebrews 12:2 KJV 1900

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Luke 22:24–30 KJV 1900

And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest. And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth. Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

There is a discussion in the room about who is the greatest of the disciples. They had discussed this before in Matt 18. Jesus takes the disciples to task for misunderstanding the nature of His coming. Jesus did not come as a conquering king to reward those who were the first to His banner. He came to die for every single person that is born in sin. He came to serve us by giving His life.

Philippians 2:1–8 KJV 1900

If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

3. Service is Illustrated

John 13:1–20 KJV 1900

Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him; Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean. So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me. Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.

Jesus shows us what service truly is. The service that Jesus came to provide for us began with the desire to improve our evil condition. He chose to come because the greatest is not the one who is flattered or possesses the greatest. The greatest is the one who gives the most. Jesus gave His life for us.

4. Partaking of the Meal

Matthew 26:21–25 KJV 1900

And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I? And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me. The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born. Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.

The dish was either the vegetables that were on the table or the bitter herbs. Whichever dish, this was a sign of the affection that was pretended by Judas to Jesus and the mercy of God toward the one who would betray Him. Judas got up and left to go and fulfill the plan of God.

Luke 22:31–38 KJV 1900

And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death. And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me. And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing. Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one. For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end. And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.

Jesus speaks to Peter especially regarding what is about to happen. Why Peter? He is at once the most emotional and the most authoritative of the disciples. Oftentimes we see his voice speaking quickly in response to actions and teachings of Jesus. Such is the case here. However, the heart of Peter is still not truly mature in Jesus. There is one final trial for him to go through.

Matthew 26:26–29 KJV 1900

And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.

The meal ends with the institution of the Lord’s Supper or Communion. There is a connection to the cup and bread of the Passover meal. Here we see the Bread of Life showing His disciples how He will be broken. We see the emphasis that He places on the blood He will give. This blood is the fulfillment of the countless sacrifices leading to this final death for all mankind.

Hebrews 9:16–22 KJV 1900

For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth. Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood. For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you. Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry. And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

5. A Final Message

How does Jesus end the Last Supper? He ends addressing the fears, failures and future of His disciples. The joy of Jesus is to redeem us. The joy of mankind is to serve the King.

John 14 KJV 1900

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me. These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe. Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me. But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.

Conclusion

There is so much recorded about the final meal of Jesus with His disciples. Think of the amount of chapters given to this against the crossing of the Red Sea or the conflict between David and Goliath. Jesus wants us to see the message of His final instructions before His Death and Resurrection.

The sacrifice of Jesus on the cross is the final payment needed for the sin of the world. He is using the Passover meal to illustrate the protection that is under the blood. The houses that placed the blood over the door are the ones that were differentiated from those who had the death. Chosing to put your faith in the blood of another is the action that Jesus wants His hearers to take. This is an action that mankind must take today.

There is mercy for the sinner in the eyes of the Master. Jesus looks into the eyes of Judas and sends him out to betray Him. Jesus speaks into the heart of Peter that He has prayed for Him. Jesus tells the disciples that there is another Comforter coming to help their souls.

There is turmoil coming for the disciples in the next few hours. There is turmoil for those who follow Jesus today. In the midst of the turmoil, Jesus gives peace to those who are looking to Him. The message of the Last Supper is that Jesus loves us and He desires fellowship with His disciples. Will you receive that fellowship today?