Key Scripture Readings: Matthew 26:17-30; Mark 14:12-26; Luke 22:7-23
Fast Facts
- When it came time for Jesus to eat the Passover with His disciples, He told them to go into the city and find a man carrying a pitcher of water. This man would lead them to a house.
- Once they entered the house, they were to say to the owner, “The Teacher says, ‘Where is the guest room in which I may eat the Passover with My disciples?”’ The owner would then take them to a large furnished room so they could prepare the Passover meal.
- The Passover was a feast designed to commemorate Israel’s deliverance from the plague of death on the firstborn. After the firstborn of the Egyptians were killed, Israel would be released from slavery.
- While eating the Passover, Jesus announced that one of the disciples would betray Him (Matthew 26:20-25). Jesus said it would be better for this man if he were never born! Judas asked Jesus if it would be him. Jesus said to him, “You have said it yourself.” Judas then went out into the night (John 13:30).
- After the Passover was finished, Jesus then established a new meal that would have a new meaning. This new meal consisted of unleavened bread and fruit of the vine (Matthew 26:26-28). The unleavened bread would represent His body. The fruit of the vine would represent His blood that was shed for the remission of sins. We commonly call this meal the Lord’s Supper.
- The Lord’s Supper is what Jesus commands Christians to observe today. Like the early Christians, we, too, are to partake of it on the first day of the week to remember the sacrifice of Jesus (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 11:23-29).
- Each time Christians partake of this meal, the Lord is in communion with them (Matthew 26:29). He is partaking of the meal with them spiritually.
- At some point in the evening, the apostles began arguing over who is the greatest in the kingdom of God (Luke 22:24-27). Jesus would wash their feet to teach them a lesson in humility and the need to always be willing to serve one another (John 13:1-17).
Study Questions
- When it came time to prepare the Passover, who did Jesus tell the disciples to go into the city and find?
- What would be waiting for the disciples in the home they entered?
- What bad news did Jesus announce to the disciples while they were eating the Passover?
- Why do you think Judas asked the question he did in Matthew 26:25?
- What did the Passover commemorate?
- What new meal did Jesus establish after they finished the Passover?
- What were the elements involved in the new meal? What did they represent?
- What was the purpose of the new meal?
- Who is to partake of the new meal? How often are they to partake of it?
- Where is Jesus each time this new meal is observed?
- What did the disciples start arguing about at some point in the evening? What did Jesus do to remedy the problem?
