The scene of the Last Supper is described by four writers of the Gospel.
Matthew 26:17-29
Mark 14:12-25
Luke 22: 7-38
John 13
John 13:1 is the testimony of John who was at the path of the cross of the Lord Jesus.
“Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.”
He recalled the scene of the last supper, the image of Jesus, and the words of Jesus, and must have recorded chapter 13 with an aching heart, remembering the ignorance and betrayal of the disciples.
- Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to depart from this world to the Father
Jesus said that one of his disciples would betray him, and knew what kind of death would come upon him. However, our Lord did not choose to run away.
Now as they were eating, He said, “Assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.” (Matthew 26:21)
18 While they were reclining at the table eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me—one who is eating with me.” (Mark 14:18)
When Jesus had said these things, He was troubled in spirit, and testified, “Most assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.” (John 13:21)
- Jesus loved his own people in the world and loved them to the end
Jesus believed the Father who “loved the world that he gave one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved (John 3:16-17).”
- Jesus showed the way of serving by lowering himself rather than being served.
At the Last supper, Jesus himself washed disciples’ feet. Disciples called him a master and lord, but the act of washing feet was done by Jesus. (As Jesus said in Mark 10:45, “the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”)
- A dispute among Disciples “who is the greatest?”
In this serious moment, disciples were arguing about who was the greatest. Jesus showed that he is the One who serves.
24 Now there was also a dispute among them, as to which of them should be considered the greatest.
25 And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called ‘benefactors.’
26 But not so among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves.
27 For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the One who serves. (Luke 22:24-27)
- Jesus shared the supper and explained the meaning.
The life of Jesus became the sacrifice for us to give a new life, and he emptied himself for us, so that we through his poverty might become rich. (2 Corinthians 8:9)
Then he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves; for I say to you, will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” (Luke 22:17-19)
K. Schiller