Lent 2019 | Day 21 | Jesus & His Disciples Eat the Last Supper

One of the primary ways we find strength is by seeing Jesus and how much he loves us. For the next few wks of our guided prayer we are going to take strength by meditating on what Jesus went through for us. The scripture teaches us that the greatest demonstration of Love is to lay down your life for another. Throughout Jesus’s time on earth he was continually “laying his life down” for us. Each day we’ll take one example of Jesus doing this and ponder it.

SCRIPTURE

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When it was evening, he reclined at table with the twelve. And as they were eating, he said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” And they were very sorrowful and began to say to him one after another, “Is it I, Lord?” He answered, “He who has dipped his hand in the dish with me will betray me. The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.” Judas, who would betray him, answered, “Is it I, Rabbi?” He said to him, “You have said so.” Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” -Luke 22: 20-28 (TPT)

REFLECTION

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(Ponder and grow in your awareness of Jesus’ life of sacrifice by reflecting on the following questions.)

Jesus. Judas was your friend. You shared your life, your love, your friendship, your time --you trusted him. Precious Jesus, you confided in him. He was permitted into the most vulnerable circle of friends you had. He was your family. And he chose to reject you. But not just to disagree with you or walk away from you … or to even hate you ... but to use you for his own gain. He chose to exchange your unblemished life for his ambitious gain and purpose.

Jesus, I am so sorry. My heart aches for what you felt. My heart grieves for you and the pain you must have felt with his betrayal. He joined the list of teachers, neighbors, and now trusted friends…that turned on you in hatred, rage, and murderous intent. My precious friend…may I sit with you now and share in your pain for a moment? I see what you endured. I only understand it in part, but still, I love you so for it.

RESPONSE

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Precious friend, I am in awe of your character of love and meekness. You were still kind to Judas in his betrayal. You did not seek revenge, you did not slander his name…you did not try to control him. You stayed under the plan of your Father and you chose to stay confined by the attributes of love. You held the prize above the pain. You managed your heartache for me. How often have I turned on you or tried to manipulate you or some facet of your grace for my own gain? How often have I let pain rule me and revenge fuel my thoughts or intentions?

I love you. I have chosen to worship and trust the most faithful and trustworthy of friends. Even when I am not trustworthy, you are. You are. You remain constant even when I am not. Sweet Jesus, teach me to walk in your ways. I want to be a trusted and safe place for your friendship, your intimacy, and your presence to reside. I want to be constrained by the strength of Holy Love - that does not seek its own gain but loves like you. Transform and strengthen me through your glorious and faithful love so that I might be like you - able to show steady love, compassion, and strong humility in a treacherous, ambitious, and broken world. Amen.