Maundy Thursday and the Last Supper
Matthew 26:17-30
17 On the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, ‘Where do you want us to make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?’ 18 He said, ‘Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, “The Teacher says, My time is near; I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.”’ 19 So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover meal.
20 When it was evening, he took his place with the twelve; 21 and while they were eating, he said, ‘Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.’ 22 And they became greatly distressed and began to say to him one after another, ‘Surely not I, Lord?’ 23 He answered, ‘The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. 24 The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that one not to have been born.’ 25 Judas, who betrayed him, said, ‘Surely not I, Rabbi?’ He replied, ‘You have said so.’
26 While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, ‘Take, eat; this is my body.’ 27 Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you; 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you, I will never again drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.’
30 When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
The night was filled with tension. It was Passover, one of the high holy days of the Jewish year, filled with meaning. But this year with Jesus, the events are wrapped in intrigue. Jesus stays out Jerusalem all day, and instead sends in disciples to get things ready for the Passover meal, and only as evening is falling does he slip into the city, trying to be unnoticed. How different than Sunday’s arrival.
Note the parallel at the start of vs. 21 and the start of vs. 26 – “while they were eating.” The first time that line introduces the conversation about Jesus being betrayed by one of those sitting at the table with him. The disciples are shocked by Jesus’ statement, their questions seem to imply that they are not sure if they would be capable of such a betrayal of Jesus. Jesus’ question drives them to deep self-reflection. (A tangent, Judas repeats in vs. 25 the question the other disciples have been asking, “Surely not I”, but Judas says “Rabbi” (Teacher) – the others say “Lord”. Telling difference.)
At the second time “while they were eating” Jesus adds to the Passover meal: “this is my body”, “this is my blood of the Covenant.” Words that establish communion, the Lord’s Supper. Words weighted with meaning and spiritual significance, spoken against the backdrop of profound self-reflection, as the disciples deeply search their hearts. And even as they face truths about themselves they may not like, even as they recognize that maybe they could betray Jesus – Jesus says to them “Drink for the cup, all of you.” Even those who worry they are not worthy, even those who worry they might betray: drink from the cup, all of you.
Maundy Thursday, Communion, invite us to deep self-reflection, to confronting who we really are. But to also hear Jesus’ words, “all of you” are invited to eat and drink at this meal.
PRAYER:
O Lord, we pray that we would never betray you and your Son Jesus. Just as his words caused much soul searching among the disciples, we too are examining ourselves. We cling to Jesus’ words of invitation, that fickle and faithless as we are, he still invites us to eat and to drink and to know your love in Jesus Christ. In whose name we pray. Amen.