Tag: Last supper
Day 4–The Meal of Thanksgiving
Scripture reading for April 16: Matthew 26:26-29 “Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it 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 the Covenant, which is poured out for man for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.””
Today’s Scripture gives an account of the ‘Last Supper’ Jesus had with His disciples before His crucifixion. The church has called the celebration of this meal the “Eucharist”, which is translated “Thanksgiving” because Jesus thanked God for the bread and the cup before He offered it to His disciples.
Jesus was demonstrating as a their Lord the heart of thanksgiving that He had for doing the will of His Father. He would give His own body to be beaten, mutilated, and nailed to a rough cross. He did this willingly and thankfully, knowing by faith that this alone would bring deliverance from death to those who would believe. He would shed His own blood as the final sacrifice for those sinners who would repent and trust in the New Covenant that He was soon to ratify. His blood was for the forgiveness of sins. He thanked God the Father for the Gift of the bread, representing His body, and the cup, representing His blood. He gave it to His disciples to take and eat.
His final statement was to tell His disciples that He would not drink this fruit of the vine until that day that He would drink it with them in the resurrection glory of Father’s kingdom. This provided vision for a prophetic pronouncement of Christ’s return in glory for His people. The promise is affirmed for believers each time we celebrate the ‘Eucharist’!
Prayer: Father, as a first responder, help me to thankfully offer my own body and if necessary, my life for doing Your will. Like Jesus, I willfully surrender to Your will and await the promise of Your return and the joy of eating this meal with You in Your glory. Amen.
Jesus’ appointed time!
Scripture reading for February 5th: Matthew 26
“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.”” (Matthew 26:18) Jesus did nothing by accident or chance. Every day of His life was as He saw the Father directing Him. He was aware of the mission that He must accomplish and the time that was rapidly approaching for His final act of sacrifice. He instructed His disciples to prepare for the Passover, His final one with them.
“And while they were eating, He said, “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray Me.”” (Matthew 26:21) Jesus knew His disciples and the one that would soon betray Him. All the disciples were sad and examined their hearts. Jesus warned them that it would be better to never have been born than to betray Him! As Judas asked if it was him, Jesus plainly told him “Yes, it is you.”
“While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to His disciples saying, “Take and eat; this is My body.” Then He took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” (Matthew 26:26-28) As a visual lesson has greater impact, Jesus used the bread and the cup of grape juice to imprint on His followers the appointment He was soon to keep for their forgiveness! This visual meal has reminded all of His followers throughout time of what Jesus did for them. It also points us to His second coming at God’s appointed time for the greatest meal we will ever experience!