It was the last chance that Jesus would have to have supper with the Apostles. His disciples, His Friends. It took place on what became known as 'Maundy Thursday' in a place called 'The Upper Room which is located in the Old city of Jerusalem. This was not to be a social gathering. It was a serious time when Jesus was going to give them some important information.
Information that no doubt was probably confusing, stressful and hard to hear. As they lounged in their seats and ate the bread and drank the wine that Jesus had told them earlier in the day to go to this place and prepare the meal for them.
It was Passover, or the Festival of Unleavened Bread. A time when the Israelites remembered the freedom from the slavery of the Egyptians and also when the Death Angel passed over them, if there was lamb's blood on their doors, their first born sons would not be killed.
Back in the Upper Room, Jesus began breaking bread and told them to eat it as a token of his body that was to be broken for them. And then he told them to drink of the cup as a symbol of his blood that would be spilt out for them as well. (A practice of worship today that Christians do in remembrance of him called 'Communion.'
And then Jesus told them that one of them sitting at the table would betray him and "Woe to him that does this for it would be better for him to have not been born at all. ."
His time was drawing near. What had been written about Jesus was soon coming to fruition. How much understanding did his friends have of what was about to happen. Confusion, sadness or perhaps even a bit of depression. How much of that might have sat in as the minutes and hours ticked away. Jesus was going away. They had not understood much of that earlier. What about now. Especially upon hearing about the betrayal. Were they afraid?
No matter their understanding now, they would later get of why Jesus had to do what he did. But it would come at a grief stricken cost as they watched as death took their friend and master. And much later, it would come at their own cost.
Reference today: Mathew 26:17-30
April 11, 2019 Easter Reading: As soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders, scribes and the whole counsel,,,,Mark 15:1
Hi Friends. Today marks the very event that happened over 2000 years ago, when the Last Supper took place. What a sad time for his friends, but had they not gone through this and had they went on to have a different and perhaps a life that did not include Jesus and his teachings, you and I would be in a different place as well. Jesus death was cruel and that is no joke. But because he paid that price, you and I are free to enjoy the benefits of it. Maybe not as much in this life as we would wish. But someday, it will all come together for us. Just like it eventually did for the very people that followed him during his ministry. I pray that you go forth this day in whatever you are doing, you will remember to give thanks for those that had to go through such heartache during that time. But most of all thank Jesus for what he did to save your life. God
bless!
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