Everything Jesus did on earth, especially that night, was for our instruction and imitation. He reached out to Judas over and over again, even when he knew Judas was going to betray him, saying, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” and gave Judas the image of the vine and branches.  Jesus extended God’s grace and compassion, offering Judas countless opportunities to turn and repent even though Jesus knew Judas’s heart was against God.  He showed love even to those that didn’t love him.

 

The historical context of tonight commemorates Israel’s hurried escape from bondage in Egypt, deriving the name Passover from the fact that no yeast was used for cooking the meal.  The people had to escape so quickly they did not have time to let their bread rise, and ate unleavened bread.  The book of Exodus explains that the Passover lamb was painted on the Israelites' door frames, causing the plague of the firstborn to pass over their houses sparing the firstborn sons from death.  With our Jewish families, we celebrate Passover as a commemoration of our liberation by God from slavery in ancient Egypt and their freedom as a nation under the leadership of Moses.

 

At the Last Supper, Jesus revealed that he was about to become the Passover Lamb of God. The disciples had only known of animals being offered in sacrifice for sin. The blood of animals sealed the old covenant between God and his people.  But now, Jesus said that his shed blood would seal a new covenant and open the door to spiritual freedom.  No longer would the blood of animals cover sin, but rather the blood of their Messiah.  Jesus introduced a whole new understanding of love.  The “beloved disciple,” who leaned on the breast of his dear friend at that Last Supper, wrote tenderly in his gospel: God is love.

 

Enjoy a long Easter Weekend with your family!