The Lord’s supper is the final meal which Jesus shared with His disciples before His betrayal and arrest, and eventual resurrection, the final stages of God’s plan for our redemption. All 12 apostles were present, including Judas, who would betray Him. Jesus blessed the bread and broke it, and Christians commemorate this event and the lamb of God during church services or Mass but also, more specifically, on Maundy Thursday during the week leading up to Easter. Discover the story and meaning of the Last Supper with these bible quotes and explanations.
“On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, when it was customary to sacrifice the Passover lamb, Jesus’ disciples asked him, “Where do you want us to go and make preparations for you to eat the Passover?”
So he sent two of his disciples, telling them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. Say to the owner of the house he enters, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.”
The disciples left, went into the city and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover.
When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve. 18 While they were reclining at the table eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me—one who is eating with me.”
They were saddened, and one by one they said to him, “Surely you don’t mean me?”
“It is one of the Twelve,” he replied, “one who dips bread into the bowl with me. 21 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.”
While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take it; this is my body.”
Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it.
“This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them. “Truly I tell you, I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”
During the celebration of the Eucharist, the words which Jesus spoke to His disciples are repeated by the priest. This is how christians remember the last meal Jesus shared before His arrest, crucifixion, and resurrection.
“While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave 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).
Release the Arrow: Sermons with the traditional Mass - Hozana
John tells us that Jesus washed the feet of His apostles during this feast. Knowing that His arrest and death draw near, Jesus is using His last moments to set us an example of humility and caring for others.
“But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.” (Luke 22:26-27)
Hozana offer many free prayer groups, meditations, and study spaces through which you can connect to Jesus and His presence among us whenever we gather together to remember the Last Supper.