Today’s passage focuses on the Last Supper that Jesus shared with his disciples before his crucifixion. By viewing this event through the eyes of the disciples and Jesus, we can gain insights into how to apply its lessons to our own lives.
The Disciples
From the beginning, the disciples had been sharing meals with Jesus. When he called them to leave their businesses and families to follow him, they understandably asked where they should prepare the Passover meal in Bethany.
Jesus told them that one of his unnamed disciples had already prepared a room for them. Considering the thousands of people who had come to Jerusalem, securing a space for a large gathering was a significant advantage. It was not surprising that one of Jesus’ friends would offer such a prime location for this important occasion.
Once the meal was prepared, possibly by some of the women who followed Jesus from Galilee, the disciples were shocked by Jesus’ words about his impending betrayal.
“When it was evening, he took his place with the twelve disciples, and while they were eating he said, ‘Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.’
And they became greatly distressed and began to say to him one after another, ‘Surely not I, Lord?’
He answered, ‘The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me.
The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that one not to have been born'” (Matthew 26:20-24).
Matthew describes the disciples as being greatly distressed. This reaction is understandable since Jesus was the central figure in their lives. They had abandoned everything to follow him through Galilee and to Jerusalem. The idea that one of them would betray him was unthinkable.
We should examine our own lives to see if Jesus is the focal point. How have we surrendered our lives to his guidance as his followers? Conversely, we should consider how our sins and transgressions betray him.
We can only wonder what was going through Judas’ mind.
“Judas, who betrayed him, said, ‘Surely not I, Rabbi?’ He replied, ‘You have said so'” (Matthew 26:25).
Jesus and the Last Supper
For Jesus, it must have been incredibly painful to know that men who had walked with him for three years would now turn their backs on him. It must have been even harder to realize that one of his closest followers would betray him to the authorities.
Despite knowing this was part of the Father’s plan, Jesus had real feelings that were deeply hurt.
As Jesus led the Passover meal, he reinterpreted it in light of his own life and ministry.
“While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, ‘Take, eat; this is my body.’
Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins'” (Matthew 26:26-28).
We often read these words during Communion or the Lord’s Supper, accepting them as a statement of Jesus’ sacrifice for us. But for the disciples, seeing Jesus break the bread and declare his body would be broken, and pour the cup and say his blood would be spilled for them, must have been horrifying.
Jesus knew exactly what lay ahead—suffering for the sins of all humanity. He felt deep pain, sorrow, and grief but remained determined to do the Father’s will and become the Savior of the world.
Take a moment to watch the YouTube video that Rudy Ross and I produced, where Rudy offers an excellent explanation of what took place during this meal from the Jewish perspective of a Passover meal. He explains the significance of the four cups of wine in a traditional Passover meal and mentions that the fourth cup has yet to be consumed by our Lord.
“I tell you, I will never again drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom” (Matthew 26:29).
I encourage you to spend some time meditating on the Lord’s Supper. Consider the perspectives of the disciples and Jesus, and let it deepen your love for the Lord, who endured so much for our salvation.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross and I discussed this passage on YouTube today. You can find it on the Bob Spradling channel.
Real Voices 