The Final Night

Remembering what today represents I would like us to take a moment and reflect what transpired so many years ago on this day.

Luke 22: 14-19 - When the hour had come, He sat down, and the twelve apostles with Him. Then He said to them, "With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God." Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, "Take this and divide it among yourselves; for I say to you, I 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."

That evening, Jesus knew that the very next day would be his last. He knew the agony and torture he would endure. Although he knew what lay ahead for him, he was still very much about tending to the needs of those in his charge. He broke bread for the last time with them. In that last Passover meal he told them the bread was his body and the cup his blood. Telling them to eat and drink it in remembrance of the sacrifice He was about to make.

I believe these men that had followed him were clueless to what was really about to take place. Jesus had forewarned them of his impending death but they still didn't really get it. Instead of this angering Jesus he instead once more demonstrates the heart of a servant.

John 13:3-5 Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciple’s feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which H was girded.

John13: 12-17 - So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them."

In his last hours on earth with his disciples, Jesus makes a point to show them what type of heart they should have. They should follow His example and be a servant to others. They were to care for others just as we are to do.

We, the disciples of this generation are to wash the feet of others. We are to care for our brothers and sisters in Christ, we are to plant the seeds of the gospel, water and harvest the seeds already planted by others. We are to help the less fortunate, to feed and clothe the poor and tend to those that can not tend to themselves. We are called to a higher purpose, one given to us from Jesus Christ when he was still here on earth. We are to be servants.

Luke 22:39-44 - Coming out, He went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed, and His disciples also followed Him. When He came to the place, He said to them, "Pray that you may not enter in temptation." And He was withdrawn from them about a stone's throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying "Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done." Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. And being in agony, H e prayed more earnestly, then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground."

Jesus in the final moments before His death, sought His Father in prayer, asking if the cup could be taken from Him. We must remember that although He was all God, He was also all human man. He also carried all the human frailties we carry. He had all the human feelings to contend with just as we do. The task ahead was bigger than any man could bear; only God in the flesh could conquer such a thing.

An angel appeared to strengthen Him. In those final moments, praying and sweating blood, the cup that He was about to bear would need more than human strength to carry it. He sought the Father. He sought supernatural power to overcome His human side.

We too have that power within reach. It is the power of a God that can do all things. A God that because of His sacrifice we are made clean. A God that cares about our humanness and shows mercy when we reach for Him.

Today we remember the day many years ago when Jesus walked on the earth for his very last day. We celebrate the last Passover He had with those he loved and taught while here. We also give thanks and celebrate that we can partake in the remembrance of what was taught. Through Jesus’ walk with the disciples we are given an example to follow ourselves. We are given the way to walk with a servant’s heart.

So today, we thank Him for all that was endured and taught.

THANK YOU JESUS!