Thursday, February 18, 2010

Jesus Christ: The Last Supper

"This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me" (Luke 22:19b). And He took wine and shared with them. He said, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you" (Luke 22:20).

As Jesus sat with is disciples for the last time, a meal was served. More than likely this was a Passover Seder meal observance.

Wine and unleavened bread (bread made without yeast) was served, but at a bare bones minimum at least the following was consumed.

Matzoh - unleavened bread.
Wine - Maror and Chazeret
Various bitter herbs and vegetables - e.g.; lettuce, endive, pepper grass, and/or watercress.
Karpas - a vegetable dipped in salt water and vinegar.
Z'roar - roasted lamb shank.

Commemoration of the Last Supper did not end with the death of the twelve disciples however. When Jesus said that He wanted them to do it to remember Him, it was a message to us also. Jesus desired that His followers continue to have a commemoration of the Lord's Supper to remind us of Christ's sacrificial death for our sins. It was given as a time to give thanks to God for sending Christ to die in our place. In Matthew 26:29 we read Jesus' words to us where He clearly included us in this remembrance command and He gave us a powerful promise for our future. "I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father's kingdom."