The Last Supper

1.
The Last Supper: An Introduction
The Last Supper is one of several major events in the earthly life of Jesus Christ that are recorded in the
Bible. The Last Supper is a description of the last meal Jesus Christ had with His disciples prior to His
arrest and crucifixion on a roman cross about 2,000 years ago. The Last Supper contains many significant
principles, and continues to be an important part of Christian lives throughout the world.
The Last Supper was held on the evening of preparation for the Jewish Passover, a very holy time for the
Jewish nation in remembrance of when God spared the Jews from the plague of death on every
firstborn child in Egypt. Jesus arranged the dinner purposely by instructing His disciples where to host it.
His twelve disciples were with Him during and after the meal. It is here that Jesus makes the prediction
that Peter will deny knowing Him three times before the rooster crows that morning, which became
true. Jesus also predicts that one disciple, Judas Iscariot, will betray Him, which also became true. The
Last Supper was a gathering for Christ to fellowship with His disciples one last time prior to His arrest
and crucifixion.
Jesus celebrated the Passover meal in Jerusalem with his disciples the night before he died. This meal,
celebrated by Jesus, is now called the Last Supper.
Jesus celebrated the Passover meal in Jerusalem with his disciples the night before he died. The
Passover meal was (and still is) a very important meal to Jewish people that commemorates the Exodus.
This meal, celebrated by Jesus, is now called the Last Supper. Like all important meals, it was prepared
for in a special way (Luke 22: 7-18).
The Passover was a communal celebration. Usually families celebrated the Passover together and so it is
interesting to note who Jesus chose to celebrate this, his final Passover, with – his closest friends and
followers. The communal aspect of the Eucharist is far more than a group of people sharing a meal, it is
the coming together of those who share the belief in the Kingdom of God. When people go to Mass they
are remembering Jesus’ Life, Death and Resurrection and making a communal commitment to go and
share God’s love in the world.
The last supper took place on the first day of Passover, or the Festival of Unleavened Bread. Jesus sent
his disciples ahead into the city to prepare a meal to celebrate Passover. Passover is the remembrance
of Israel being freed from slavery to Egypt and specifically when the angel of death passed over the
homes of the Israelites that had lambs blood over the doors.
As the disciples reclined and ate dinner with Jesus, he explained to them that one of the twelve of them
would soon betray him. One by one the disciplines denied that it would be them, including Judas who
would be the betrayer. Jesus responded that the person who betrays him will have a terrible fate and
that indeed, it was Judas.
Jesus prayed and thanked God for the meal. He then broke the bread and shared the wine with the
disciples and explained to them how the bread was a symbol of his body, broken for them, and the wine
a symbol of his blood which would be poured out for their sins to be forgiven. This is where the churches
tradition of communion comes from.
After the meal, Jesus became like a servant and washed the feet of the disciples. Peter did not feel right
having Jesus wash his feet but Jesus said that He was doing it to be an example to them. Now the
disciples would be able to wash each others feet, meaning they could be servants to all.
2.
The Last Supper: The Significance
The Last Supper is described in three of the four New Testament Gospels, Matthew, Mark and Luke.
Here are some of the life-changing highlights, as recorded in the Gospel of Luke. First, Jesus predicts He
will suffer soon after this meal and it will be His last meal prior to finishing His work on behalf of the
kingdom of God (Luke 22:15-16). Second, Jesus gives His followers symbols of remembrance for His body
and His blood sacrificed on behalf of all mankind. "And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and
gave it to them saying, 'This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me'" (Luke 22:19).
Third, Jesus provides a very important principle for living a Christian life: the greatest are those who
serve others, not those who expect to be served (Luke 22:26). Finally, Jesus provides hope to his
followers: "and I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, so that you may eat
and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel" (Luke 22:29-
30).
For the last two millennia, the Last Supper has inspired people to live by faith in Jesus Christ, by serving
others instead of following the worldly influences of expecting to be served.

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1.

The Last Supper: An Introduction

The Last Supper: The Significance

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