The Last Supper
Scripture
17 On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?”
18 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.’” 19 So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover.
20 When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. 21 And while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.”
22 They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, “Surely you don’t mean me, Lord?”
23 Jesus replied, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. 24 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.”
25 Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?”
Jesus answered, “You have said so.” (Matthew 26:17-25).
Reflection
Jesus knew this would be the last supper with his disciples before his death on the cross. But before they started to eat, little did his disciples know that one of them would betray him before his crucifixion. If we were among those sitting at the table, we may find our response to be similar to that of the disciples’ question in verse 22… surely you don’t mean me, Lord? Each of them wanted to know if he was the one who would betray Jesus.
At the time, this meal was on the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread—a timely and symbolic warning for the disciples. A few chapters back, Jesus warned his disciples to watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Had they known the yeast of leavened bread portrays one’s puffed-up pride, each disciple might have not been so quick to assume he wouldn’t be the betrayer. Yet each one asked, surely you don’t mean me, Lord?
I find it interesting how Jesus could have directly replied that Judas would betray him. Yet he replied that the one who dipped his hand in the bowl with him would be the betrayer (v. 23). Jesus replies in this way for a significant purpose, which is revealed in Eugene Peterson’s rendering of this passage: his betrayer would not be someone who seemed like a traitor, but someone who daily eats with him, one who dips his hands in the same bowl as him, one who even passes him food at the table—this one would be Jesus’ betrayer.
As we reflect on this passage, we may recall moments when we have been quick to assume we’ve pleased the Lord in our thoughts and actions. We might reason from time to time that we would never veer off from the straight and narrow path. But Jesus’ words remind us that even the one who ate with him and passed food at his table was not aware of his wandering heart. In this season of Lent, let us watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees. May God search our hearts so we can walk uprightly in him.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, we can’t even begin to imagine what the last supper before your crucifixion must have been like. You were willing to lay down your life for us, even after being betrayed by one of your disciples. Thank you for your great love for us, which is beyond our full comprehension. Please search our hearts, and help us to be faithful disciples and serve you well. Amen
2024 Lenten Journey
Adrian Brown