JESUS AND HIS OWN

THE LAST SUPPER – MATTHEW 26:17-35 AND JOHN 13

On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?”

He replied, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The Teacher says:  My appointed time is near.  I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.’ “  So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover.

Matthew 26:17-19

It was just before the Passover Festival.  Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father.  Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.

The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus.  Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God;

John 13:1-3

How easily we find an excuse not to go to church.  It is snowing!  It is too hot!  The kids/grandkids have a ball game.  I went the last two Sundays.  Jesus did NOT use an excuse to skip the Passover meal.

There was no excuse for not celebrating Passover!  The priests were trying to find a way to kill Jesus, but they would carry on the Jewish traditions.  Judas would betray him, but that was no reason to not prepare for this Festival of Unleavened Bread.  The disciples asked where they were to make preparations.  No problem!  A certain man had a place.  Of course he did! 

The disciples made ready.  They had a lamb killed in the court of the temple, roasted said lamb, provided bitter herbs, laid out the bread, and had the wine ready.  The cloth was laid and everything was ready for this sacred solemn feast.  This Passover would be according to the Law.

Jesus sat down with his twelve disciples. 

I wonder what Jesus thought as they began to eat.  Did he look around with sadness?  Did he worry about the disciples?  Did Jesus pray for each disciple as he washed their feet?  Did he take a deep breath before saying he would be betrayed?  Did a tear fall as he said he would be denied?

Too many times we read this part and do not realize the emotions that would have been in the Upper Room.  A tradition was continued.  A disciple sat knowing he was going to betray Jesus.  A disciple vowed he would not deny Jesus.  The disciples felt the hands of Jesus wash their feet.

So many emotions

Tradition

The touch of Jesus’ hands

And then Jesus taught and prayed.