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In all of the Gospels, the story of Jesus' last week, especially his last night, makes up the bulk of the stories. The Gospel writers obviously considered the Passion of Jesus to be the most important event in his life. We also should then consider it most important for our Christian knowledge and growth.

The Passion narratives, as they are known, begin with the Last Supper, on the night Jesus was betrayed. The word "Passion" comes from Jesus himself in Luke 22:15: "I have eagerly desired to share this supper with you before I suffer" ("my passion" in the King James.) The Passion, as a term, encompasses the events beginning with the betrayal, the Garden of Gethsemane, the arrest, the two trials, the crucifixion, and the death of Jesus. We begin the Passion journey with Jesus as the disciples did, with the Lord's Supper and Jesus' last night on earth.

It was Passover, the Feast of the Unleavened Bread. It was a high holy week in the Jewish calendar. The Passover celebrated the liberation of the Israelites from Egypt. They baked unleavened bread because they had to leave Egypt in haste. There was no time to let the bread rise. They ate roast lamb. The lambs were slaughtered, and the blood sprinkled on the door posts. They sprinkled the blood as they were commanded because the Lord was going to "pass over" the land of Egypt. If there was no blood on the door, the firstborn in that house would die. If there was blood on the door, the Lord would pass over that house. They ate the lamb with bitter herbs and spices, to remind them of their bitter slavery in Egypt.

• What other parts of the Passover meal can you remember? What do they symbolize?


Passover was so important, it became the beginning of the year in terms of Jewish festivals. By the time of Jesus, other traditions were blended in with the original commands. There were cups of wine at various times during the meal to thank and bless God for his deliverance. There was the recital of the Exodus story, "Why is this night different from all the others?" It was one of the three festivals that Jews were encouraged to celebrate in Jerusalem at the Temple.

Jesus and his disciples come to Jerusalem for Passover week. As the night approaches, the disciples ask Jesus where he wants them to prepare their Passover meal. The instructions are somewhat clandestine. That is because Jesus knows that the religious leaders want to arrest him, and that there is a traitor in their midst. Men don't usually carry water jars (Mark 14:13). That makes this a perfect cover. When evening comes, the disciples gather together. Judas and the others don't know the place until they get there, but now Judas cannot tell the religious leaders. As they go through the meal, it has to be obvious that Jesus isn't himself. What does he mean by this Passion stuff anyway? Then Jesus drops the bombshell that one of the Twelve will betray him.

• How would you have felt if you were at the meal and heard Jesus drop this "bombshell"?


This night was about to become even more different as Jesus transforms the occasion from Passover to the Lord's Supper. He took the bread, gave thanks, and broke it. "Blessed are you, Lord God, Creator of Heaven and earth, giver of bread that we may have life." But then Jesus adds something new. "This bread is my body, broken for you." Bread has never been the same since. It has always been a staple of life. But now it becomes the symbol of eternal life. Ordinary bread, broken, acts as a reminder, as a symbol of Jesus' body, broken for us.

We are the broken ones, in serious need of repair. Our repair and restoration come because Jesus gave his body to be broken on the cross for us. Because Jesus broke his body, we can be fixed by his grace.

Then he took the cup. "Blessed are you, Lord God, Creator of Heaven and earth, giver of wine to make our hearts glad. Thank you for bringing us into this fruitful land, flowing with milk and honey." Then Jesus adds something again. "Drink from it, all of you. This cup is the cup of the new covenant in my blood, poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." A covenant in blood.

Every covenant in the Bible is sealed in blood. Noah's covenant involved the sacrifice of animals. Abraham's covenant involved the sacrifice of animals. The people of Israel were sprinkled with blood at the foot of Mount Sinai. Solomon's temple had blood sprinkled on it. Now Jesus institutes the new covenant in his blood. The wine becomes the symbol of the blood. To drink the wine is to symbolize our willingness to enter into this covenant with Jesus. To drink the wine indicates our desire to be saved and have eternal life. To drink the wine indicates our desire to serve Jesus as Lord and be obedient.

Passover has become the Lord's Supper. What once celebrated the deliverance from Egypt now celebrates our deliverance and redemption from sin. What once celebrated the Lord's passing over the Israelites and sparing them judgment now celebrates God passing over us and sparing us judgment.
When we come to the Lord's Table, we recommit ourselves to Jesus Christ and the new covenant in his body and blood. We begin our walk with Jesus anew with a rededication of our lives to serve Jesus and live for him.


WWJD -- What covenant promise will you make to Jesus the next time you partake of the Lord's Supper?