The Last Supper JSS2 Christian Religious Studies (CRS) Lesson Note

THE LAST SUPPER

INTRODUCTION

The Last Supper is one of the most significant events in Christian history, marking Jesus’ final meal with His disciples before His crucifixion. This pivotal moment established the sacrament of Communion (also called the Eucharist or Lord’s Supper) and provided essential teachings as Jesus prepared His followers for His departure. The event is recorded in all four Gospels (Matthew 26:17-30, Mark 14:12-26, Luke 22:7-39, John 13:1-17:26) and referenced by Paul in 1 Corinthians 11:23-26.

LESSON OBJECTIVES

After this lesson, students should be able to:

1. Explain the Passover context of the Last Supper
2. Describe the key events that occurred during this meal
3. Understand the institution and significance of Communion
4. Apply Jesus’ teachings from the Last Supper to their own lives
5. Connect this event to the broader narrative of salvation

1. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
2. Timing and Setting

• Occurred during Passover week in Jerusalem
• Took place in a “large upper room” (Mark 14:15)
• Jesus specifically arranged this location through His disciples

1. The Passover Context

• Annual Jewish festival commemorating Israel’s deliverance from Egypt
• Traditional elements included:
  1. Sacrificial lamb
  2. Unleavened bread (matzah)
  3. Bitter herbs
  4. Four cups of wine
  5. Recitation of the Exodus story
• Jesus reinterpreted these elements to point to Himself

1. Chronological Considerations

• Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke) present it as a Passover meal
• John’s timeline suggests it occurred before the official Passover
• Possible explanations include:
  1. Different calendar systems used by different Jewish groups
  2. John emphasizing Jesus as the true Passover lamb (sacrificed at the same time as the Passover lambs)
  3. A special meal that incorporated Passover elements but wasn’t the official celebration

1. SEQUENCE OF EVENTS
2. Preparation (Matthew 26:17-19, Mark 14:12-16, Luke 22:7-13)

• Jesus sent Peter and John to prepare the Passover
• He gave specific instructions about finding the location
• The disciples prepared the traditional elements for the meal

1. Beginning of the Meal (Luke 22:14-18)

• Jesus expressed His desire to eat this Passover with the disciples
• He spoke of not eating it again until it finds fulfillment in God’s kingdom
• He took the first cup of wine and gave thanks

1. Washing the Disciples’ Feet (John 13:1-17)

• Jesus removed His outer clothing and wrapped a towel around His waist
• He washed each disciple’s feet, including Peter who initially objected
• Jesus explained this act as an example of servant leadership
• Key lesson: “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet” (John 13:14)

1. Prediction of Betrayal (Matthew 26:21-25, Mark 14:18-21, Luke 22:21-23, John 13:18-30)

• Jesus announced that one disciple would betray Him
• The disciples questioned who it would be
• Jesus identified the betrayer as “the one who dips bread into the bowl with me”
• Jesus gave Judas a piece of bread, after which “Satan entered into him”
• Judas left the gathering to carry out his plan

1. Institution of Communion (Matthew 26:26-29, Mark 14:22-25, Luke 22:19-20, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26)

• Jesus took bread, gave thanks, broke it, and said: “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me”
• After supper, He took the cup, saying: “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you”
• He instructed them to continue this practice as a memorial
• He stated He would not drink wine again until God’s kingdom comes

1. The New Commandment and Farewell Discourse (John 13:31-16:33)

• After Judas left, Jesus gave extended teaching including:
  1. “A new command I give you: Love one another as I have loved you” (John 13:34)
  2. Promise of the Holy Spirit as Advocate and Counselor
  3. Teaching on the vine and branches (“I am the vine; you are the branches”)
  4. Warning about coming persecution
  5. Promise to prepare a place and return for His followers
  6. “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33)

1. Prediction of Peter’s Denial (Matthew 26:31-35, Mark 14:27-31, Luke 22:31-34, John 13:36-38)

• Jesus predicted all the disciples would desert Him
• He specifically told Peter he would deny Him three times before the rooster crowed
• Peter and the others insisted they would remain faithful

1. Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer (John 17)

• Jesus prayed for Himself, His disciples, and all future believers
• He prayed for protection, unity, sanctification, and that believers would see His glory
• This prayer reveals Jesus’ priorities and heart for His followers

1. Departure to Gethsemane (Matthew 26:30, Mark 14:26, Luke 22:39)

• They sang a hymn (likely from Psalms 113-118, traditional Passover hymns)
• They left for the Mount of Olives and the Garden of Gethsemane

III. THEOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE

1. The New Covenant

• Jesus established a “new covenant” in His blood
• Fulfilled Jeremiah’s prophecy of a new covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34)
• Replaced the old covenant made at Mount Sinai
• Based on Christ’s sacrifice rather than animal sacrifices
• Written on hearts rather than stone tablets

1. Jesus as the Passover Lamb

• The timing connected Jesus’ death to Passover
• Just as the Passover lamb’s blood saved Israel, Jesus’ blood saves believers
• Paul later wrote: “For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed” (1 Corinthians 5:7)

1. The Sacrament of Communion

• Established an ongoing memorial practice for the Church
• Represents participation in Christ’s body and blood (1 Corinthians 10:16)
• Proclaims the Lord’s death until He returns (1 Corinthians 11:26)
• Different traditions understand this sacrament in various ways:
  1. Catholic/Orthodox: The elements become Christ’s actual body and blood (transubstantiation)
  2. Lutheran: Christ is present “in, with, and under” the elements (consubstantiation)
  3. Reformed: Christ is spiritually present in the sacrament
  4. Memorial: The elements symbolically represent Christ’s sacrifice

1. Servant Leadership

• Jesus modeled leadership through humble service
• Directly challenged prevailing power structures
• Established the pattern for Christian leadership
• “The greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves” (Luke 22:26)

1. The Promise of the Holy Spirit

• Jesus promised not to leave the disciples as orphans
• The Holy Spirit would teach, remind, convict, and empower
• This promise was fulfilled at Pentecost (Acts 2)

1. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
2. Communion Practice

• Regular participation in Communion connects believers to Christ and each other
• Requires proper preparation and self-examination (1 Corinthians 11:27-29)
• Reminds us of our dependence on Christ’s sacrifice
• Anticipates the future banquet in God’s kingdom

1. Servant Leadership

• Following Christ means adopting His model of humble service
• True greatness comes through serving others
• No task is beneath us if it serves others in love
• Practical question: “Whose feet am I washing today?”

1. Loving Community

• Jesus’ new commandment calls us to love as He loved
• This love serves as the primary witness to the world (John 13:35)
• Christian unity fulfills Jesus’ prayer in John 17
• Question: How can we better demonstrate Christ-like love to each other?

1. Facing Betrayal and Failure

• Jesus knew about Judas’s betrayal and Peter’s denial yet loved them still
• We can be honest about our own failures and weaknesses
• Christ’s grace is greater than our failures
• The story continues beyond our mistakes (Peter was restored)

1. Living in the “Already but Not Yet”

• The Last Supper looks back to Christ’s sacrifice and forward to His return
• We live between the institution of the new covenant and its final fulfillment
• This perspective shapes how we view suffering and hope

1. TEACHING ACTIVITIES
2. Discussion Questions

1. Why do you think Jesus chose a meal as the setting for this important teaching?
2. How might the disciples have felt during the different moments of the Last Supper?
3. What does it mean to “remember” Jesus when taking Communion?
4. Which of Jesus’ teachings from this event do you find most challenging personally?
5. How does the Last Supper help us understand Jesus’ mission?

1. Interactive Learning

1. Comparative Study: Create a chart comparing the different Gospel accounts of the Last Supper.
2. Symbolic Exploration: Examine the Passover elements and how Jesus gave them new meaning.
3. Modern Feet-Washing: Discuss modern equivalents of foot-washing in today’s context.
4. Communion Reflection: Write a personal reflection on what Communion means to you.
5. Prayer Exercise: Write your own prayer based on themes from Jesus’ prayer in John 17.

1. Creative Response

1. Artistic Interpretation: Study and discuss famous Last Supper artwork throughout history.
2. Role Play: Dramatize the Last Supper conversation from different disciples’ perspectives.
3. Letter Writing: Write a letter as one of the disciples reflecting on the Last Supper after Jesus’ resurrection.
4. Modern Retelling: Create a contemporary scenario that parallels the Last Supper.
5. Visual Timeline: Create a visual representation of the events of the Last Supper.

1. Personal Application

1. Service Planning: Identify specific ways to serve others this week as Jesus served.
2. Communion Preparation: Discuss meaningful ways to prepare for taking Communion.
3. Unity Building: Identify divisions in your community and practical steps toward unity.
4. Love in Action: Plan a project demonstrating Christ-like love to someone in need.

1. CONCLUSION

The Last Supper stands as a pivotal moment in salvation history, where Jesus transformed the Passover tradition, instituted the sacrament of Communion, demonstrated servant leadership, and prepared His disciples for His death and resurrection. This event continues to shape Christian worship, theology, and practice today, inviting believers to remember Christ’s sacrifice, anticipate His return, and live according to His example and teachings.

VII. ASSESSMENT

1. Describe three key events that occurred during the Last Supper.
2. Explain how Jesus reinterpreted the Passover elements during this meal.
3. What is the significance of Jesus washing His disciples’ feet?
4. How did Jesus institute Communion, and what meaning did He give to the bread and cup?
5. Apply one teaching from the Last Supper to your own spiritual life.

VIII. RESOURCES FOR FURTHER STUDY

• “The Last Supper of Jesus and the Passover Seder” by Jeremy Dehut
• “Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist” by Brant Pitre
• “The Lord’s Supper: Remembering and Proclaiming Christ Until He Comes” edited by Thomas R. Schreiner and Matthew R. Crawford
• “At the Table with Jesus: 66 Days to Draw Closer to Christ and Fortify Your Faith” by Louie Giglio
• “This Is My Body: An Evangelical Discovers the Real Presence” by Thomas J. Richstatter