Paper 179 Overview: The Last Supper

Jesus and his apostles gathered for what would be their final meal together before his death. During this Thursday evening supper, Jesus knew his time on earth was ending. He performed a special act of service by washing the feet of his apostles, established a remembrance supper for future believers, and revealed that Judas would betray him.

This special meal happened one day before the regular Passover celebration. Jesus used this time to teach important lessons about serving others with love and humility. He also introduced a new ritual with bread and wine that would help his followers remember him and his teachings long after he was gone.

Philip had asked Jesus about plans for celebrating Passover, which was normally eaten on Friday evening. Jesus decided to have a special supper with his apostles one day early, though some apostles thought this might be because Jesus knew he would soon be arrested. Jesus often celebrated Passover without the traditional lamb sacrifice.

Jesus stayed behind to talk with John Mark's family while the apostles went to the upper room that had been prepared for them. No servants were provided because Jesus wanted to be alone with his twelve apostles for this important meal.

When the apostles entered the upper chamber, they saw everything was ready for the meal but noticed there was no servant to wash their feet. They began to wonder who would do this task, as no one wanted to seem like a servant to the others. Instead, they argued about who would sit in the places of honor at the table.

Judas took the seat of highest honor at the left of the host, and John Zebedee claimed the second best seat at the right. Peter was so upset by their pride that he chose the lowest position at the table. The apostles were still arguing when Jesus arrived, and he was disappointed by their behavior but said nothing about their seating arrangement.

Jesus broke the silence by telling the apostles he had wanted to eat this special meal with them before his suffering began. He said he would not eat with them again until they were together in God's kingdom. Then he shared the cup of wine and water and asked them to pass it around.

Jesus knew his time had come to return to the Father. He understood that Judas had decided to betray him, but this did not worry him. His only concern was for the safety and well-being of his followers, and he prepared to show them a powerful example of brotherly love.

After drinking the first cup, Jesus did something surprising - he got up, put on a towel, and prepared to wash the disciples' feet. This shocked them because they had just been arguing about who was the greatest, and now their Master was acting like a humble servant. Even Judas was momentarily moved by this display.

When Jesus came to Peter, the apostle refused to let Jesus wash his feet until Jesus explained it was necessary. After washing everyone's feet, Jesus explained the lesson: if he, their Master, would serve them, they should serve one another. He taught them that true greatness comes through service, not by seeking positions of honor or authority.

During the meal, Jesus revealed that one of them would betray him. The apostles were shocked and each asked, "Is it I?" Jesus indicated it would be the one to whom he gave a piece of bread dipped in herbs. He gave this to Judas, though the other apostles did not understand the significance.

After Judas received the bread, Jesus told him to quickly do what he had decided to do. Judas then left the room, with the other apostles thinking he was going to buy supplies or do an errand for Jesus. Jesus had tried to save Judas up to the very end, but Judas had made his choice to betray the Master.

Jesus took a cup of wine, blessed it, and asked the apostles to drink from it as a symbol of remembrance. He explained this would be a new tradition to remind them of the Spirit of Truth that would come to guide them. This new ceremony represented freedom from old religious rules and ceremonies.

Jesus then took bread, broke it and passed it around as a symbol of his life given for them. In creating this remembrance supper, Jesus used symbols rather than exact rules so future believers could find their own spiritual meaning. He wanted to set people's souls free rather than creating another set of strict religious practices.