Thursday

Jesus modeled his love for us and his disciples by the things he did in his final hours. He planned special moments with them for fellowship and prayer. Not even having a home of his own, he took his final meal with his friends at the home of an unnamed host in Jerusalem.  

“And when the hour came, he reclined at table, and the apostles with him. And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.  For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves. For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.” Luke 22:14-20

And with this last meal, comes the institution of the Lord’s Supper, a sacred tradition we Chrsitians around the world participate in. Jesus did not ask us to remember his birth, but he did ask us to remember His death. So we do remember, and we give thanks for the death of our Lord.

Jesus leaves this meal with his disciples and goes to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. You’re familiar with the scene. Judas comes to betray Him with a kiss, and He is taken into the hands of an angry mob. Let’s conclude here today with prayer.

Father, today we are so moved about the final hours of Jesus with His disciples. Your Scripture tells us that as he prayed in the garden, with his friends sleeping a stone’s throw away, his anguish was so deep, his sweat fell like great drops of blood onto the ground. Even at our lowest, this is difficult to understand. Thank you for Jesus, and that He stood in our place, knowing what it would entail. In His strong name we pray, amen.