Paper 179 Overview: The Last Supper

Paper 179 chronicles the events of the Last Supper, which Jesus held with his apostles on Thursday evening, one day before the traditional Passover celebration. This significant gathering was marked by several pivotal moments that would establish lasting traditions for future Christian believers. During this meal, Jesus confronted the apostles' pride through his humble act of washing their feet, identified Judas as his betrayer, and established the remembrance supper with bread and wine as symbols of his life and teachings.

The atmosphere of the evening was deeply meaningful as Jesus conveyed important final lessons to his closest followers. He taught them about the true nature of leadership through service, demonstrated his foreknowledge of coming events, and established a simple yet profound symbolic ritual that would transcend specific interpretations and formal religious ceremonies. This meal represented a transition from the old Jewish Passover tradition to a new covenant based on spiritual liberty and personal relationship with the divine.

When Philip inquired about plans for the upcoming Passover celebration, Jesus made arrangements for a special meal to be held on Thursday evening, rather than Friday when the traditional Passover would be observed. Some apostles speculated this schedule change might be because Jesus anticipated his arrest before the regular Passover meal, though they were not certain of his reasoning. The apostles were familiar with Jesus celebrating Passovers without the traditional lamb sacrifice, so the absence of a lamb at this meal did not surprise them.

Upon arriving at the home of John Mark's family, Jesus stayed behind to speak privately with the Mark family while the twelve apostles proceeded to the upper room that had been prepared for their meal. It had been prearranged that this would be a private gathering with only Jesus and his twelve apostles present, without servants to attend them. This intimate setting would allow for the significant events and teachings that were about to unfold.

When the apostles entered the upper chamber, they found a well-prepared room with the table set for the meal, including pitchers of water, basins, and towels near the door for the customary foot washing. Since no servants were present to perform this task, they faced an awkward moment as each apostle hoped someone else would assume this humble role. This situation quickly revealed their lingering pride as they began to position themselves around the table according to perceived status and honor.

Judas boldly took the position of highest honor at the left of the host's seat, while John Zebedee claimed the second most honored position at the right. This sparked immediate contention among the group, with Peter expressing his displeasure by dramatically choosing the lowest position at the table. Rather than demonstrating true humility, Peter's gesture was motivated by the hope that Jesus would notice and elevate him to a better position. When Jesus arrived to find his apostles engaged in this petty dispute over status, his face showed disappointment, but he took his place without commenting on their unseemly behavior.

Jesus broke the uncomfortable silence by expressing his deep desire to share this meal with them before his suffering began, acknowledging that his "hour has come" and that he would not eat with them again until they were together in the Father's kingdom. He then blessed the cup of mixed wine and water, passed it among them, and instructed them to share it as a group. Through these simple actions, Jesus began to establish the solemn and meaningful tone of this final gathering.

The Master fully understood that his time on earth was nearly complete and that Judas had already determined to betray him. Jesus was not troubled by the schemes of those who sought his downfall, whether spiritual beings like Lucifer and Satan or human agents like Judas. His only real concern was for the safety and spiritual welfare of his chosen followers, and with complete awareness that the Father had placed all things under his authority, he prepared to demonstrate a profound lesson in brotherly love that would serve as a lasting example.

Following Jewish tradition, the host would typically rise after the first cup to wash his hands, but Jesus instead moved toward the foot-washing equipment by the door. The apostles watched in astonishment as their Master removed his outer garment, wrapped himself with a towel, and began preparing to wash their feet—a task normally performed by the lowest servant. This unexpected action created a dramatic tension in the room, particularly as Jesus approached Peter, who was seated in the lowest position.

Peter initially refused this humble service from his Master, saying "You shall never wash my feet!" When Jesus explained that this act had important symbolic significance and that Peter could have no part with him unless he accepted it, Peter characteristically overreacted by asking Jesus to wash not just his feet but also his hands and head. After washing the feet of all twelve apostles, including Judas, Jesus explained the profound lesson behind his actions: true greatness comes through willing service to others, not from positions of honor or authority. This living parable directly confronted their earlier dispute about seating positions and conveyed a fundamental principle of the kingdom—that those who would be greatest must become servants of all.

As the meal progressed and the apostles relaxed under Jesus' cheerful demeanor, he brought their attention to a sobering reality by announcing that one among them would betray him. This shocking statement led each apostle to anxiously ask, "Is it I?" Jesus indicated that the betrayer would be the one to whom he gave a piece of bread dipped in herbs, which he then handed to Judas. Though Jesus spoke plainly to Judas, the other apostles did not comprehend what was happening, even when Jesus told Judas, "What you have decided to do, do quickly."

After Judas departed, Jesus reflected on the difficult reality that he had started with twelve apostles and now had eleven. Despite personally selecting Judas and working to save him until this very moment, Jesus recognized that warnings often only intensify one's determination to follow a self-destructive path when love has died in the heart. Judas had allowed disappointment, resentment, and ambition to gradually erode his loyalty and affection for Jesus, ultimately leading to this moment of betrayal that would set in motion the final events of Jesus' earth life.

Jesus took a third cup of wine, called the "cup of blessing," blessed it, and presented it as the "cup of remembrance" to symbolize a new dispensation of grace and truth. He explained this would represent the coming gift of the Spirit of Truth and stated he would not drink wine again until he drank it "in new form" with them in the Father's eternal kingdom. The apostles sensed the profound significance of this moment as Jesus transformed the old Passover tradition into something new.

After sharing the cup, Jesus took bread, gave thanks, broke it into pieces, and directed them to pass it around as the "bread of remembrance." He identified himself as the "bread of life" representing the united life of the Father and Son. In establishing this remembrance supper, Jesus intentionally used symbols rather than precise definitions, wanting to suggest spiritual meanings without constraining future generations with rigid interpretations. This approach aimed to free the human spirit rather than create another ceremonial obligation. The paper concludes by noting that despite Jesus' intentions for spiritual flexibility, subsequent generations often reduced his simple symbolism to precise formulas and standardized traditions.