A SUPPER

After Jesus arrived in Jerusalem, he spent some time with different teachings to his disciples.    The time spent at “The Last Supper” as it is so familiarly called is documented in all four gospels—Matthew 26:17-30, Mark 14:12-26, Luke 22:3-39, and John 13.

The supper took place on the first day of the feast of the unleavened bread.  Jesus sent two of his disciples, Peter and John, to prepare.    After they had asked him where to prepare, Jesus replied and told them that when they entered into the city, they would find a man bearing a pitcher of water.  (This was a different kind of thing as women were the usual waterbearers.) He told them to follow that man into the house where he went.  They were told to say to the goodman of the house that the Master told them to ask for the guest chamber where he might eat the Passover with his disciples.  The Goodman would show them an upper room.  Peter and John went and found the upper room and made ready.

The Bible says that when the hour was come, Jesus and his twelve disciples entered the upper room.  I try to imagine how the disciples must have felt.  Did they feel the somber mood?  Were they grieving over what might be to come?  Or were they clueless?

Matthew 26:21:  “And as the did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.”  This news certainly made the disciples sorrowful and fearful and they began to question, “Is it I?”  Of course, the Lord knew….the Lord knows all about us.  Jesus let them know it was someone familiar as he said in Matthew 26:23, “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.”  Judas, calling the Lord “Master” asked if he was him and the Lord replied, “Thou hast said.”  Something I learned in this study was that Judas was the keeper of the money….had the moneybag with him on a regular basis.  Can greed get the best of us all some days?  Greed for money?  Greed for worldly pleasures?  Greed for self?

As the Lord’s Supper was instituted, Jesus took the bread, and gave thanks, and brake it and gave to them saying, “This is my body which is given for you; this do in remembrance of me.”  Likewise the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.”  Luke 22:19, 20

At my church, we celebrate communion three times a year, once in the spring, once in the fall, and on Christmas Eve.  This is just when our congregation has set aside to do this.  Communion to me is one of the sweetest times in the life of a Christian when taken with humbleness, remembrance, and thanksgiving for what the Lord has done.  One of my favorite organ songs to play during this service is “Jesus Paid it All”.  It says “Jesus paid it all.  All to Him I owe.  Sin had left a crimson stain.  He washed it white as snow.”  I love that.   After the two regular communion services, tradition at our church is a feet washing service.  This is not so common many places anymore and I won’t go into the whole thing of that, it’s a personal choice for participation.  I will say when I have participated at the leading of the Spirit, I have been truly blessed.  I can say, too, that I have been blessed watching.   The gospel of John documents the washing of the feet at the supper.

The scriptures say that when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.  Jesus said unto them, “All ye shall be offended because of me this night; for it is written,  I WILL SMITE THE SHEPHERD, AND THE SHEEP OF THE FLOCK SHALL BE SCATTERED ABROAD.  (Zechariah 13:7 prophecy)  But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.”  A promise to rise.....

Peter, being an outspoken and confident disciple, told Jesus adamantly that he would NEVER be offended, even though all others are.    Jesus tells Peter that Satan desires to have him (Peter) and sift him as wheat but He (Jesus) has prayed for Peter that his strength fail not.  In spite of Peter’s claims that he was ready to go ALL the way with Jesus,  ‘Jesus said unto him “Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shall deny me thrice.”  Matthew 26:34….not once, not twice, but THREE times.

Peter and all the disciples agreed that though they should die with him they would NOT deny him.  The disciples, as we do today, have a road paved with good intentions.  Sincere intentions. Believable intentions.

I like to think I would say the same as Peter---No, no Lord, I will never deny you.  When I think about it,  I know in my heart that I deny him almost daily, just by not sharing Him and His gospel with others who might not know Him. 

I do find comfort in these passages speaking of Jesus’ conversation with the disciples at the beginning of the supper.  Luke 22:11-15 says, “And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat the 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.”  A promise that He would be back……