Holy Week. Day 5.
Most people don’t realize that the Last Supper was actually the Passover Seder that Jesus celebrated with His disciples. Remember: they were Jewish. Raised Jewish. And this was Passover week (The Feast of Unleavened Bread, actually. See Lk 22:1 and Exodus 12.). The Seder dinner would land on Thursday night. They were not going to miss this special celebration with their Master. Jesus even mentioned it while predicting his crucifixion.
Matt. 26:2 “You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man is to be handed over for crucifixion.”
If you didn’t notice before, there is even a passage in Scripture that shows Jesus preparing for the meal:
¶ Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?”
And He said, “Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, “My time is near; I am to keep the Passover at your house with My disciples.”’”
The disciples did as Jesus had directed them; and they prepared the Passover.
Matt. 26:16-19
And most of you well know the story from there. The breaking of the bread. The taking of the cup. And then, the betrayal by one of his own: Judas.
Interestingly, this Thursday of Holy Week in time became known as Maundy Thursday, or, Holy Thursday. It is the day before crucifixion. On this day Jesus had his supper, his last meal, with his disciples.
The book of Matthew states:
“…Jesus took bread, and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying,” Drink of it, all of you; for this is my blood of covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”
A few very popular sayings came from this day like, a person’s “Last meal”. The meal before Christ died. Another one that I like to say at the end of a meeting is, “And they sang a hymn and went out.” Taken from
Matt. 26:30 ¶ After singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
May you end this day In Remembrance of Him.
S.
Matt:26:17-75
Mark 14:12-72
Luke 22:7-65
John 13:1-30 and 18:28-42