Wednesday, Two Days Before the Crucifixion
And So We Reach Friday: Thank You for the Blood

Thursday, the Last Supper ...

Jesus spends Thursday with his disciples. Jesus painting by Lynn

Matthew 26:17--29, Mark 14:12-25, Luke 22:7-20, John 13:1-17:26

No more crowds; it's just him and them. Round an intimate table he washes their feet and tenderly gives them bread and wine. He says this is something he has longed to do: He just adores them so much, and this bread and wine is intensely special. His body, his blood -- He's giving himself to them.

He then speaks to them, for a long time, about his love for them and what it means to be a disciple.

This week I got an email from one of our British SUM friends, Jim Edwards, sharing some thoughts on the last supper. It's nice hearing other perspectives so I thought I'd share his today. He said: --

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".. You will know I have very strong views on the power of our words... and hence even more on the power of Jesus' words! He used His Words like a carpenter uses a hammer and chisel - 'I say unto you 'Arise'!" 
 
So in that context here's an aspect of Jesus' words from the Last Supper that struck me a few years ago...
 
“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” (Luke 22:31, NIV)
 
So it's in the same breath of warning Simon, that Jesus is describing something just like Job chapter 1... Satan is demanding and Jesus has been interceding for him, but...
 
I'm thinking that Jesus saying about Peter denying he even knew Jesus - was actually foretelling by Jesus... A Holy Spirit glimpse into what Peter would face, perhaps... Jesus' words actually 'allowed' this - it's as though He spoke this out (and no further!!!!)  And similarly with Judas - I don't think Judas could leave the table until Jesus gave him permission! Such would be the weight of Jesus' words - especially that fateful night!"
 
"The case with Judas is actually even more striking: Having said that someone will betray Him, Peter and John want to know who - that in itself is curious as none of the disciples had any idea! Judas didn't stand out from the others in any way!
 
Just look then at John 13:26-28:

Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. So Jesus told him, “What you are about to do, do quickly.” 

There was something demonic that entered Judas at that point - he couldn't get out of there fast enough...."

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Indeed! There were fascinating dynamics at that dinner table. It's as if this is one enormous spiritual chess-game in which God is the chess master and victor; but there are tough moves.

How comforting, though, to know that Jesus intercedes for us, and nothing happens unless God allows it. 

I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail ....

Well, the day ended there. Jesus promised his disciples repeatedly in these last words that a Helper would come: The Holy Spirit. He talked a lot about that Helper. Noticeably so. Centuries on that comforts me too to know that we have this Helper.

They sang a song then, got up, and moved to the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus knew exactly what was going to happen next.

SUMites, I will see you tomorrow for the events of Good Friday. In the meantime, let this song bring to life the love of Jesus for you.
 
Ann

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