April 8, 2016
IT MAY HAVE BEEN THE LAST SUPPER, BUT IT WAS NOT THE END!
Matthew 26:17–29
Will Noll
Central Truth
Just like the disciples who could not see past the death of Jesus, we sometimes cannot see see past our current circumstances. But rest assured, even in the darkest moments, God is our light and our salvation! He is completely sovereign and in control!
Key Verse | Matthew 26:27–29
And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, "Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom." (Matthew 26:27-29)
Matthew 26:17–29
The Passover with the Disciples
17 Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where will you have us prepare 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 at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.’” 19 And the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover.
20 When it was evening, he reclined at table with the twelve. 1 26:20 Some manuscripts add disciples 21 And as they were eating, he said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” 22 And they were very sorrowful and began to say to him one after another, “Is it I, Lord?” 23 He answered, “He who has dipped his hand in the dish with me will betray me. 24 The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.” 25 Judas, who would betray him, answered, “Is it I, Rabbi?” He said to him, “You have said so.”
Institution of the Lord's Supper
26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the 2 26:28 Some manuscripts insert new covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.”
Dive Deeper | Matthew 26:17–29
About a year ago, I had the privilege of seeing Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper in Milan, Italy. The painting is one of the most famous in the world and depicts the events of the Last Supper mentioned in Matthew 26:17-29. Upon announcing that His time had come, Jesus wanted to celebrate the Passover meal with his beloved friends. But can you imagine what Jesus' disciples were feeling during the Last Supper? Only a week before they were entering Jerusalem triumphantly walking over palm leaves and being celebrated by the city. Now, they were running scared from the Roman government and Jewish officials. On top of that, Jesus, their leader and Lord, was telling them He was going to leave them in order to die on a cross and then rise again on the third day. Fear, uncertainty, and anxiety ruled the hearts of those men, even though they had seen Jesus do many miracles in person. I certainly can say that trusting God would have been extremely difficult at that time for me, too.
But the story does not end there! While Jesus suffered an excruciating and painful death on the cross, His suffering was not vain. After three days, He rose from the dead and lived on earth for 40 days afterward appearing to over 500 witnesses and then ascended into heaven. Truly, Jesus died on the cross so that you, I, and every person on this earth could be reconciled to God and be with Him forever. Romans 5:8 says this: "[B]ut God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." This certainly proves God's love for us.
So what happened to the disciples? After they saw Jesus die and rise again, they immediately went from being scared wimps to fierce warriors for Christ. Eleven of the twelve eventually died martyrs' deaths, and God used them to spread the gospel to the whole earth. In the end, God knew what He was doing. So, do you trust Him?
Discussion Questions
1. How would you have felt if you were in the Upper Room with the disciples knowing that Jesus was about to die and leave you?
2. Knowing what you know now about the end of the story, would your feelings have changed?
3. When faced with uncertainty, where do you put your trust? Do you try to control the circumstances or trust God with them?
4. Knowing now that Christ has died for you and every person on this earth, have you trusted Him as your savior and supreme treasure? If not, what is holding you back? If you are still not sure, we'd love to have you ask your questions in a safe place: http://www.watermark.org/ministries/great-questions/.