John 13:1
This chapter records what is commonly called “The Last Supper”. This chapter starts out clearly stating this was before the Feast of Passover.
Consider:
• Mt 26:26; Mk 14:22; Lk 22:19; Jn 13:18 -Bread used is the Greek word artos; Hebrew lech’em. This is not the word for unleavened bread (Greek –azumos; Hebrew –matstsah).
• Jn 13:29 … “buy the things we have need of for the feast.”
• Jn 18:28 – so as to not be defiled, so that they “might eat the Passover.”
• Jn 19:14 – When Pilot presented Jesus it was still the “day of preparation for the Passover.”
The idea that the last supper was also the Passover meal comes from a misunderstanding read into the records in the other three Gospels. (Mt 26:17-20; Mk 14:12-18; Lk 22:7-14).
Luke 22:15-16
And He said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I say to you, I shall never again eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.”
Jesus was not talking about the meal he was eating. He was talking about the Passover meal that was still yet to come. What it says here is that he “earnestly desired to eat this Passover.” But this was not to be. God had bigger plans. The next time Jesus would eat the Passover with his disciples will be in the future in the Kingdom of God.
John 13:1 – Jesus now knew that his hour had come. This was to be his last supper with his disciples before his death. Knowing this, he performed significant acts.
• He instituted the memorial of Communion and the New Covenant (Mt 26:26-29 ;Mk 14:22-25; Luke 22:17-20).
• He prophesied about the one who would betray him. (Mt 26:21-25; Mk 14:19-21; Lk 22:21-23; Jn 13:18-30)
• He prophesied of Peter’s denials (Mt 26:31-34; Mk 14:27-30; Lk 22:31-34; Jn 13:36-38)
And Jesus taught many significant things:
• Serve as he served: Lk 22:23-27; Jn 13:2-17 – He washed their feet. “Do as I did to you.”
• Love as he loved: Jn 13:33-35; 15:12-13
• The spirit of truth: Jn 14:15-31; 15:1ff; 16:1ff
After this night, Jesus submitted his will to the will of his Father God. He sacrificed himself for all humanity so that all mankind could have eternal life. What unconditional love! What selfless sacrifice! What should be our logical response to such love? – Gal 2:20; II Cor 5:14-15
II Corinthians 5:15
And he died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for him who died and rose again on their behalf.
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