THE LAST SUPPER
Luke 22: The chapter opens with the betrayal of Jesus by Judas; selling his friend for 30 pieces of silver. I am too bewildered to imagine this particular betrayal, let alone to discuss it except to say that it has to be the most significantly horrific act ever committed by man.
Jesus tells the disciples to “Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.” to a particular house and the owner will know that his upper room would be used for that purpose. At the last supper Jesus tells them that He would not eat this Passover again until it would find fulfillment in the kingdom of God. He took the cup and the bread, gave thanks for each and told them to do the same thing after He is gone to remember Him. Then He told them that He would be sacrificed, a fulfillment of prophecy and betrayed by one of them, but woe to that man.
A dispute rose among them as who would be the greatest and Jesus impressed upon them that they are to serve as He came to serve. He told them that they would judge the 12 tribes of Israel. He also told Peter that He would deny that he knew Jesus three times before the rooster crowed that night and that did happen much to Peter’s dismay. He instructed them to take supplies with them when they go out to preach the good news of the kingdom.
Jesus went out to the Mount of Olives as usual to pray. He prayed to the Father to remove the cup He was about to drink but knew that His sacrifice had to be. In verse 42 He prays, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” His prayer was a heavy burden upon Him causing Him to sweat, profusely. When He finished He found the disciples sleeping, awakened them and told them to pray so as not to fall into temptation.
The final moment came when the crowd, led by Judas approached Him and Judas kissed Him which was the signal to identify Him so He could be arrested.
At daybreak Jesus was led to the council of elders and questioned. They wanted to know if He were truly the Messiah. He replied that they wouldn’t believe Him if He said that He was. He did tell them that from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of God. They questioned His saying that he was the Son of God. When He told them that they were correct in what they said they agreed they didn’t need to hear any more and they led Him off to Pilate. Verse 70: They all asked, “Are you the Son of god?” He replied, “You are right in saying I am.”
Can you imagine turning on God as Judas did? This, in my opinion, is an awesome demonstration of the power of Satan. My friends beware of his powers of deception and the influence he can exercise over us. He never sleeps and he and his band of demons are constantly at work trying to destroy the testimony of those who have chosen to follow Jesus; and to prevent all the rest from trusting in the Lord. Indeed, he is a powerhouse, but we who are in Christ are a greater powerhouse. The Bible says that if ‘He is with us, who can be against us?’ Is He with you? You can know that if you have accepted His free gift of salvation by believing in Jesus; if you haven’t, then perhaps now is the time for you to do so. Simply pray to God and tell him that you believe Jesus died for your sins and was raised again on the 3rd day and is now sitting on His right hand. Read His word and He will be faithful to you. If you earnestly seek God, if your heart is sincere, He will speak to you through the Bible. Try it you might like it, I know God will. Verse 17 in Romans chapter 19 says: “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.” Please note that it says ‘heard.’
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