Tag: Judas

Maundy Thursday and the Last Supper

On Maundy Thursday, we pause during Holy Week to reflect on the Last Supper, a sacred moment when Jesus shared a final meal with His disciples, instituted Holy Communion, and revealed Judas’ betrayal. This day, named from the Latin mandatum meaning “commandment,” centers on Jesus’ call to love one another (John 13:34). As we explore the events leading to this meal, the exposure of Judas’ intentions, and the origin of Communion, we deepen our understanding of Christ’s sacrifice and our calling as His followers. Grounded in Scripture, this reflection reminds us of the love and service at the heart of our faith.

A close-up of a loaf of bread and a silver chalice depicting holy communion 

The Road to the Last Supper

Holy Week unfolds with events that prepare us for the Last Supper. On Palm Sunday, we recall Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, greeted by crowds waving palm branches (Matthew 21:1-11). In the days following, He cleanses the temple (Matthew 21:12-13) and teaches parables, confronting religious leaders (Mark 11:27-12:44). These actions intensify opposition, as the chief priests and scribes plot to kill Him (Mark 14:1-2). Amid this tension, Jesus prepares for the Passover, the Jewish feast commemorating God’s deliverance of Israel from Egypt (Exodus 12:1-14).

Jesus instructs His disciples to arrange the meal in an upper room in Jerusalem (Luke 22:7-13). This setting, intimate and solemn, underscores the weight of the moment. Jesus knows His hour is near (John 13:1), and we should sense the gravity as He gathers with those He loves. The Passover meal becomes the backdrop for a new act of redemption, one that we commemorate to this day.

The Last Supper and Judas’ Betrayal

During the Last Supper, Jesus reveals a painful truth: one of His disciples will betray Him. John 13:21-30 captures this moment vividly:

“After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, ‘Very truly I tell you, one of you is going to betray me.’ … When he had dipped the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. So Jesus told him, ‘What you are about to do, do quickly.’ … As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night.” (John 13:21, 26-27, 30, NIV)

Matthew’s account adds further clarity:

“And while they were eating, he said, ‘Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.’ … Judas, the one who would betray him, said, ‘Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?’ Jesus answered, ‘You have said so.’” (Matthew 26:21, 25, NIV)

Jesus’ identification of Judas fulfills Old Testament prophecy, such as Psalm 41:9, which speaks of a trusted friend lifting his heel against another. By sharing bread with Judas, a gesture of fellowship, Jesus underscores the depth of the betrayal.

Judas does not leave of his own accord, but is called out in front of them all. It shows that the timing of these events were God ordained, and not planned by sinful humanity. Jesus was in full control. 

The Institution of Holy Communion

At the same meal, Jesus establishes Holy Communion, transforming the Passover elements into symbols of His sacrifice. Luke 22:19-20 records His words:

“And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.’” (Luke 22:19-20, NIV)

Paul later affirms this practice, writing in 1 Corinthians 11:23-25:

“For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.’”

Here, Jesus reinterprets the bread and wine. The bread represents His body, broken for our salvation; the wine signifies His blood, sealing the new covenant promised in Jeremiah 31:31-34. This act institutes Communion as a sacred rite, one we should observe to remember Christ’s sacrifice, experience His presence, and unite as His body. From the early church (Acts 2:42) to today, Communion remains central to our worship, a tangible reminder of God’s grace.

Moreover, the Last Supper foreshadows the cross. The bread and wine point to Good Friday, when Jesus’ body is broken and His blood is shed. As we participate in Communion, we proclaim His death until He returns (1 Corinthians 11:26). Maundy Thursday thus bridges the joy of Palm Sunday and the sorrow of Good Friday, preparing us for the glory of Easter.

A Time for Reflection

As we observe Maundy Thursday, we are called to reflect on Christ’s love, the cost of our redemption, and the pain of betrayal. The Last Supper invites us to the table, where we encounter Jesus’ sacrifice and receive His grace through Communion. We ought to examine our hearts, asking how we can love and serve as He did. Whether through attending a Maundy Thursday service or quietly meditating on these Scriptures, let us draw near to Jesus, who gave everything for us.

This day reminds us that even in the face of betrayal, Jesus chose love. May we, too, choose love, honoring Him in our worship and our lives.

Who’s calling the shots?

It is Maundy Thursday, and the day we remember the Last Supper. On this night, Jesus has His last meal with His friends before He is arrested and crucified.

I saw a post on Facebook the other day posing a question about this night, and particularly about the devil’s and Judas’ roles. If the devil entered Judas Iscariot, as it says in Luke 22:3, then why did the devil lead him to betray Christ and send Him to the cross – His ultimate victory?

I suggest that the devil is a murderer, and without fully understanding the plan of God, was simply trying to kill Jesus before He could fulfil His role. Essentially, I think the devil unwittingly played into God’s hands. God’s will and purpose is always fulfilled.

My post today is not really about that issue however, but does pose a related question – who was calling the shots that night? Who was really in charge of the events that took place?

From Matthew’s Gospel, we read:

When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. 21 And while they were eating, he said, ‘Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.’

22 They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, ‘Surely you don’t mean me, Lord?’

23 Jesus replied, ‘The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. 24 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.’

25 Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, ‘Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?’

Jesus answered, ‘You have said so.’

Matthew 26:20-25 (NIVUK)

Jesus’ last meal with His disciples would have been quite an interesting experience. Most of them probably would not have realised that this was the last time they would spend time with Him before the cross. But Jesus of course knew.

The events of the Last Supper were significant in a number of ways. Not least was the instigation of the Lord’s Supper, or what we call Holy Communion. It is an important sacrament, and one we should take seriously, but we must not also lose sight of its original simplicity. Jesus broke bread and shared wine with His closest friends. The bread and wine represented His body and blood, and encourages us to remember Him and His sacrifice for us.

The account above tells us how Jesus broke not just bread that night, but bad news indeed! The disciples were shocked to learn that one of them would betray Him. But who?

Jesus, in front of them all, shines the spotlight on to Judas. “Surely not I, Lord?” he says, knowing full well it is him. “Yes, you!” says Jesus. There is nothing to indicate that Jesus did this privately or in a whispered corner. I think He pronounced this in front of them all.

What could Judas do now? Every eye was likely resting on him, accusing, wondering, and confused. What would you do in his shoes? Run? That’s exactly what he did. Clearly he had not planned this, and had not suspected his betrayal would be exposed in front of them all. He had to run for it, and immediately put his plan into action.

It is not always easy to grasp the timings of events in the Bible, but it seems that Judas would have run straight to the Pharisees and report to them where Jesus would go after dinner. There, in the garden, they would find him.

Jesus instigated this. Jesus forced Judas’ hand. They would not have wanted to arrest Jesus on a festival day – at Passover. They knew that to hold His trials overnight, as they did would be totally illegal. They had not yet had time to prepare the false witnesses who would later contradict one another in the kangaroo court.

The point is this. God is in charge. He was in charge that night, and He is in charge now. Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection were all part of God’s plan right from the very beginning.

God is not evil, but He will use evil to fulfil His plans and purposes. The devil wanted to destroy Jesus, and he used the evil heart of Judas to try it. Perhaps as Jesus was nailed to the cross, the devil may have thought he had won. But death could not hold the Lord!

This night, as you remember Jesus, imagine yourself as a fly n the wall at the Last Supper. What must Jesus have been feeling? If you were one of His disciples, would you have known what was coming?

We have the luxury of hindsight. We sometimes look down on the disciples for not seeing what we do, and yet had we been there, I’m not sure we would have fared much better than they.

However you commemorate this night, remember that Jesus did it for you. You may not be able to share in Communion with your church (if they are closed due to COVID) but you can still take time to reflect and remember.

Worship the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ – because He’s the One who’s really in charge.