As we continue our series on Breaking Bread with Jesus, we find ourselves in the upper room where Jesus and his disciples are observing the Passover.
Specifically, Luke 22:14-20…
14 When the time came, Jesus took his place at the table, and the apostles joined him. 15 He said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 I tell you, I won’t eat it until it is fulfilled in God’s kingdom.” 17 After taking a cup and giving thanks, he said, “Take this and share it among yourselves. 18 I tell you that from now on I won’t drink from the fruit of the vine until God’s kingdom has come.” 19 After taking the bread and giving 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.” 20 In the same way, he took the cup after the meal and said, “This cup is the new covenant by my blood, which is poured out for you.
Some call this the Last Supper as Jesus arrest, trial, and death are very close. Perhaps the most famous depiction of the Last Supper is by Leonardo Da Vinci…
Recently I ran across another painting of the Last Super by Cosimo Rosselli within the Sistine Chapel. I appreciate the way it emphasizes the cup on the table and the bread.
The Passover meal is an interesting event, while there is certainly part of the Passover is a celebration of remembering how God has delivered those enslaved in Egypt, there is also a great tragedy in the remembering of the first Passover.
I wonder if this particular Passover Meal was heavier than all the other Passover observances. Jesus washes the disciples’ feet, Jesus has just told them that, at the table, one of this group of friends is about to betray Him, leading to His death. He provides them with the breaking of the bread as the symbol of His body and the wine as a symbol of His covenant with us.
I am intrigued by Jesus’ words, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer”.
Why do you think Jesus was looking forward to observing this Passover Meal with the disciples?
When Jesus says, “Do this in remembrance of me”, what does that mean to you?
What are the benefits to remembering?
Are there any negatives to remembering?
Let’s talk about it on Sunday.
~ Pastor Dustin