In connection to my post with Easter, we should remember the Last Supper. But have you ever think of the true message of the Last Supper…?

The Story

     Jesus and His disciples are preparing for the Passover Feast in Jerusalem which is a yearly ritual for them to remember God’s saving grace and the deliverance of the Israelites from the hands of the Egyptians. 

     When done preparing, Jesus on His knees, starts to wash the feet of His disciples, which is a job of a slave. "Now, having washed the disciples’ feet, He said, "I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you" (John 13: 14, 15)

     Then the lamb was passed around; then the unleavened bread and bitter herbs. "As they were eating, Jesus took a bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, ‘Take, eat; this is my body.’ And He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink ye all of it. For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins’." (Matthew 26: 26-28).

     And when they had sung hymns, they went out in to the Mount of Olives. (Matthew 26: 30)

Symbols Used

  • Lamb- represents Jesus as a sacrificed for our sins
  • Unleavened bread- Jesus body which is "broken for us"
  • Unfermented wine- Jesus blood "poured on the cross for us"
  • Hymns- Christ’s victory over death

Ever asked why unleavened…?

     "Purge out the old leavened, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened… Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth" (1 Cor. 5:7,8)

     The leavening serves as a sin. Just like in a bread, the yeast causes it to puff. So unleavened bread is used to symbolized purity, free from sin and wickedness.

     Usually, that is the concept almost everyone has on thier minds when talking about the Lord’s supper; the bread and the wine and its meaning. But we have to take note of this: "For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done unto you." (John 13:15)

     The meaning of foot-washing is oftentimes overlooked. But it’s meaning is so deep. What can you say if you’re Boss of Manager washed your feet..? Wouldn’t you be embarassed…? And why, of all the body parts, why the feet…? It could be your arms or hands. But why the feet..? Isn’t is gross to wash someone’s feet? And to think that someone superior to you have done it…?

     Now we can see why Jesus said "I have given you an example", for us to know that we need to practice "humility and service". No matter what our status in the society, we must humbly serve each one of us. But why humility…? As we can see, the human tendency is to keep acheiving for things that will make him higher than his neighbours; to be superior than anyone else; to have power. Humility is not easy to achieve… It takes time to achieve it. Total acceptance and must have the will to serve. We don’t have to laugh and curse the less fortunates- we have to help them.   We don’t have to blame someone why he doesn’t have anything- we must share. Now we can see, why Jesus showed us the practice; "to remind us". We might forget it, but the Lord’s supper and communion will always serve as a remembrance for us.

     In doing so, we also need to clean ur hearts and minds from hatred and lust; free our heart and soul of sin and wickedness; we have to forgive our debtors as Jesus forgive us; and to live a Christ-like life.

Reference: John 13, 1 Cor. 5, Matthew 26, AdventistReview