Lessons at the Last Supper

Easter is just a few short days away. But right around now is the time when Jesus was preparing himself for the crucifixion. One of those days leading up to the crucifixion was a day Jesus himself had said he was looking forward to. Luke 22:15 Jesus said to His disciples that “I have been very eager to eat this Passover meal with you before my suffering begins." This could actually be one of the lessons we can take away from the last supper. Even Jesus needed to be surrounded by his closest friends/family before the most difficult time in His life. It amazes me how many times I watch people retreat to a place of solitude when life is it's most difficult. We use our difficult circumstances as an excuse to leave friends, family and Church family behind. It seems to me we see Jesus model something different for us here. That as we face life's difficulties that we ought to be seeking the company and fellowship of our friends and family. There is strength to be found with those who we are closest to. Ecclesiastes 4:9-11 covers this really well, Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? We need to be willing to put aside whatever pride we have and face our issues. We are not alone except that we decide to be. But nothing you have faced, are facing or will ever encounter in this life hasn't been done before. So don't do it alone.

A second interesting thought from the last supper is how Jesus handled the preparation of it. Jesus told His disciples to "go and prepare the passover meal so we can eat it together". Here we get to see that Jesus is interested in the details and even makes sure that what He orders is taken care of. In Luke 22:10-12 Jesus spells out very specifically how this meal is to be prepared for. Understand that the details of the food prep were spelled out in the old testament. But Jesus goes even further to make sure they had the details for their specific circumstances. Jesus is very interested in the details of our lives and providing for us when we follow what He asks us to do. When we are obedient God, not only will He provide for us But He wants to. We really do make it more difficult then God intends it to be.

A third interesting tidbit here is the Luke's perspective of the last supper. In Luke 22 they are addressing the fact that Jesus said one of them would betray Him. Then the very next verse we see that worrying about betraying Jesus turns into who will be the greatest among them. WOW, our sin nature at it's finest. Only as people could we be seen going from defending ourselves against accusation to worrying about being the leader. Now from other perspectives we know that a little more happens here. But this is a perspective of the meal that cannot be ignored. And Jesus doesn't rebuke it, instead He takes advantage of the teachable moment and does one of the first leadership trainings to prepare them to lead the first Church. We learn from this argument that the leader among us must be willing to be the least. They must be willing to show up first and leave last. Willing to make sure the needs of everyone else is taken care of before their own. "The greatest among you should take the lowest rank and the leader should be like a servant." Not the easiest words to swallow but it is truth! And we even know we are more likely to follow the one who serves us that the one who serves self.

I am sure there is more but here is my final lesson from the Last Supper. In verse 19 Jesus tells the disciples to "do this to remember me". Jesus gaves us instructions on how to remember Him but then I also really appreciate what He does shortly after this in the telling of the last supper. He addresses Peter and says, “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.” Jesus pleads in prayer for Him. If Peter is predestined then why plead in prayer for him except that prayer works and changes things. And in fact the Bible tells us in 1 Timothy 2:4 that God wants all to be saved. So when Jesus died on the cross He wasn't dying for some but for all. Jesus recognizes that Peter will need to repent and return to Him, but when He does Jesus is communicating to Peter that he is restored to continue doing what God has called him to do.

Lastly, there is no record that Michael Angelo was there to be able to paint a portrait of the last supper. Just saying.