This poignant last meeting with His disciples

[Mary Naeem]

Last Supper: (Matthew 26:1-30; Mark 14:12-26; Luke 22:7-38; John 13:1-38) – This poignant last meeting with His disciples, whom He loved, begins with an object lesson from Jesus. The disciples had been arguing about who among them was the greatest (Luke 22:24), displaying their distinctly ungodly perspective. Jesus quietly rose and began to wash their feet, a task normally performed by the lowest, most menial slave. By this simple act, He reminded them that His followers are those who serve one another, not those who expect to be served. He went on to explain that, unless the Lamb of God cleanses a person’s sin, that person will never be clean: “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me” (John 13:8). During the Last Supper, Jesus also identifies the traitor, Judas, who would betray Him to the authorities and bring about His arrest. The disciples were saddened when Jesus said that one of them would betray Him and wondered which one it could be. They were still confused when Jesus confirmed that it was Judas, whom He instructed to leave and do quickly what he had to do. After Judas’ departure, Jesus instituted the New Covenant in His blood and gave a new command that those who follow Him are to love one another and live by the power of the Holy Spirit. We remember Jesus' giving of the New Covenant each time we enter into the Christian ordinance of communion, celebrating Christ’s body that was broken for us and His blood that was shed for us.