This is the Last Supper. Jesus gathered his 12 friends whom he had traveled with for over three years - so they could have one final meal together the night before Good Friday. They would be commemorating the Passover meal, which had been celebrated by Jews for over 1400 years since the time of Moses. Jesus said he looked forward to spending this time with them.

 

However, his Passover meal would take on a new meaning. Jesus took a piece of bread and said it was His body. Then He picked up the cup of wine and declared it His blood. Jesus said that whenever they - or we - celebrate this meal, we are to remember Him and God’s new promise for the forgiveness of sins. 

 

Jesus would also give His friends final instructions on how to be his disciples after He was gone. He wanted to encourage them, knowing it would be difficult to be His witnesses in the world.

 

But Jesus was also in great sorrow during the meal. Since he was fully human and fully God, He knew the suffering ahead of Him this night. His suffering even began here, at this table. His friend Judas would leave to betray Him. His disciples got into a dispute as to who was the greatest. And, He had to tell Peter that He would deny Him three times. Despite all this, Jesus told His friends how much He loved them and believed they could accomplish great things in His name.