Have you ever read the 4 Gospel accounts of the Last
Supper? They are interesting. The eye opener for me was Luke, but please
read all, and do your own comparison!
In Matthew,
Jesus says one of you will betray me.
They all say is it I, Lord? (Did
they believe Jesus and doubt their faith?
Were they being humble?) Then they ate the Passover meal. Jesus says this is my body, this is my blood,
given for forgiveness of sins. I've
heard a sermon on how bizarre and against their nature this was. They didn't eat blood, they didn't eat
people. That's not what he was saying. Jesus says you will all fall away
from me tonight. Jesus’ prayer is an
example to us: Your will, Lord, not
mine. Jesus tells his apostles to watch
and pray that they not enter into temptation.
The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Peter declares I won't desert you. Jesus says tonight you will deny me three
times. I don't believe this was to
humble Peter, but to reassure him when it happened. Peter and all the disciples said if we
have to die, we will not deny you.
Mark's account is interesting. The disciples ask where shall we prepare for You
the Passover? Jesus says prepare for us
the Passover. The rest seems the same as
the Matthew account to me.
Luke- verse 8 tells us Peter and John are the
preparers. A lot of people rag on Peter,
open mouth, insert foot. And John was
one of the sons of thunder who asked or let his mother ask for him, to be
seated at Jesus' side and also, elsewhere to bring down thunder on people. (Was this a setup for an object lesson, Jesus
knew their hearts & natures.) They forgot or didn't plan for foot washing. Verse 15- Jesus says I have earnestly
desired to eat this Passover with you.
(Isn't that sweet?!) It is
occurring to me lately how patient Jesus was with these disciples and almost everyone
He came into contact with. (He didn’t
like the money changers cheating the people in the name of worship! He didn’t like the religious leaders’ manmade
laws that made it harder to worship God.)
The disciples question among themselves who is the betrayer. Somehow that turns into which of us is the
greatest? Were they getting loud and
angry? Jesus says, (wonder if he had to
shout to get their attention): If you want to be great in My kingdom, be a
servant of all. Can you hear them
saying, Say What? V 31 says Jesus prayed
for Peter before his denials. V 32 Jesus
says to Peter when you have turned, strengthen your brothers. V. 33 Peter says
I’m ready to go with you both to prison and death. v. 34 Jesus says you will deny that you know
me three times tonight. V 40
Jesus went to the Mount of Olives to pray as his custom was. (That’s how Judas knew where to find him. ) We need to pray so much more than Jesus did. V. 43 says an angel from heaven strengthened Jesus.
John v. 14
wash each other’s feet ( do the menial tasks, no glory.) V 17 know and do = blessed. Knowledge isn’t enough, we must act. V 34 a new commandment I give you: (What:) Love
1 another (how:) as I’ve loved you. (Why?) All people will know that you are my
disciples if you have love for 1 another. (love as Jesus: die to self, be patient with the people you’re
mentoring, everyone except those who make worship impossible for his people or
cheat God’s people in the name of worship.…)
Jesus out of love for Peter forewarned him of his betrayals.
