My good friend had hit a breaking point. After experiencing crisis upon crisis, she finally collapsed under the weight of what felt like too much to bear. A relationship had just dissolved. An EF-3 tornado ripped through her neighborhood, and she spent the next week volunteering with Hands-On Nashville relief efforts. There are financial struggles within her family. The COVID-19 quarantine suspended her classes and, along with it, the chance of getting into a music program for which she had already had four callbacks. In a moment of clarity, she realized while texting us that her birthday was that coming weekend—a birthday she would likely not be able to celebrate as planned.
My friend’s sorrows are personal, but she is not alone in her grief. Similar sorrows are shared by much of the world right now. There is a collective weight in the air these days. Can you imagine the sorrow Jesus must have carried during the nights leading up to His death? He had His own sorrow (Mark 14:34), but He ached for His friends as well (Luke 22:32), even as He prepared to carry the sin and sorrow of the whole world on His shoulders (Isaiah 53:4).
During the Passover feast with His disciples—what we call the Last Supper—Jesus knows that sorrow will soon find them. Trying to prepare His friends for His death, He navigates the situation with delicacy and affirms the sorrow they will feel in losing Him, a close friend. He also reassures them that it will be worth it in the end. “You will become sorrowful,” He says, “but your sorrow will turn to joy” (John 16:20). This strange comfort is also for women who suffer the pain of childbirth (v.21) or Christian martyrs facing their own death after standing for a cause.
Sorrow isn’t a bad thing. Jesus experienced it as a natural part of the human condition. But even while affirming such feelings, He gives the disciples a framework for understanding their future hope—a future extending far beyond the plane of what they can immediately see. Yes, they must grieve His death, but that death was actually a seed that would unfold into new life. Jesus makes sure His disciples know with certainty that they will see Him again (v.22). Even if they don’t fully understand what He means, this changes everything for them, just as it changes everything for us.
No matter what happens in this life, we will see Jesus again. Because of the resurrection, those who hope in Christ Jesus will see each other again too. There is a time coming when every tear will be wiped away, and the burdens that we carry will be released (Revelation 21:4). The old will pass away, as joy triumphs over our troubles and swallows the pain of grief.
In Christ, we have permission to feel sorrow. But we also have the charge to walk forward in courage and expectation of our future hope. “You will have suffering in this world,” Jesus tells us. “Be courageous! I have conquered the world” (John 16:33).
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51 thoughts on "Thursday: The Last Supper"
Amen…powerful
I love the thought of Jesus giving the disciples a framework to understanding their future hope…the entire Holy Week is packed with symbolism and hope. This has been a very thoughtful and timely study. Thank you all.
John 16:33 is more relatable than ever. I am forever grateful for what the Lord has done for us—providing HOPE for our present & future.
Our sorrow will turn to joy. Amen and amen.
Ashley Thomas, my study bible states “it was customary to end the Passover by singing the last part of the hallel psalms (114-118).”
Many times in the Bible, and again in our readings today, the author mentions a hymn is sung after the Last Supper, I always wish to know what hymn was sung. No, it’s not one of the most important things that happened, but I still wonder.
Me too
This devotional was so beautiful and timely, and I love how it just drew out the beauty and truth of the gospel and all that Jesus endured for our sake in the lead up to his death. Where I am it’s Good Friday already (Sydney), but it was so helpful to take a bit more time to explore the events of Maundy Thursday. I could camp out in the Upper Room discourse all day! But it really struck me again, particularly from Mark’s account, how alone Jesus was in all this. His friends made big promises they couldn’t deliver. He was betrayed by one of his closest companions of the last three years and denied by another. He was hurt and humiliated by his own people, the very ones who were waiting for their Messiah. And while I am so thankful that we’re invited in to see Jesus’ own sorrow in Gethsemane, I am again amazed that he didn’t walk away or back down. He submitted to the Father’s will, knowing all that lay ahead. As it says in Hebrews 12:2, “for the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” And I am so grateful. Thank you Lord Jesus.
I love that one day all will be made right, every tear will be wiped away and sorrow will be turned into joy. I know one day the sun will come out, we will all see each other again and life will go on. I’m looking forward to that day, but even more than that I’m looking forward to heaven, a perfect place where we will never again have to go through trials or sorrows. When we are in the midst of the storm, it is hard to believe it will end. I’m sure that is how the disciples felt, but God sees the beauty in the other side. May this easter be more tangible for us than ever before.
Kristen and Diana Fleenor thank you for sharing that, I needed to read that right now. I will be copying it so that in the coming days I can reread it when I need to and also so I can share it with my sister.
SRT sisters thank you for your prayers.
Jess my pastor yesterday read that same verse and I thought the same thing. As many times as I have heard this story I don’t ever remember hearing those two verses.
Kathy praying for you and your family (he was a big boy). Taylor praying for Carol and Cynthia (Carol is my sister’s name).
Jenna I never noticed that either and I too think it’s amazing to see Jesus praising God that way.
Life is awesome but draw closer to God almighty
One thing that stood out to me today was how at the end of the Lord’s Supper they closed with a hymn. I never noticed that before. It’s amazing to picture Jesus praising the Father the night before he goes to the cross. Lord, please give me the same heart of worship even in the midst of great suffering.
Oh my goodness, God really does know what you need and when you need it. As I sat and read the scriptures and devotion I felt like God was talking directly to me. I felt like He was saying, “See Dorothy I have your back. I’m here for you. You’re not alone. Just DON’T forget to call on me. I’m a thought, a prayer, a mention, a Bible reading, a shout away. Like the song says, ‘Just call out my name and I’ll come running.'” Thank you Bailey for such a timely message. Lord thank you for reminding me You are always there for me.
Sorry, I should have read my post to Jess before sending it:
This scripture does seem a bit random:
In Mark 14 it mentions this naked guy who tried to follow after Jesus is arrested.
But I too know that there is nothing random about God’s word.
Hey Jess, I agree this scripture does seem a bit random:
In Mark 14 it mentions this naked guy who tried to follow after Jesus is arrested.
But I too that their is nothing random about God’s word. I hope that we get an answer. I’ve got to get a study bible.
Good morning Taylor. I’m praying for all of you, Carol, Cynthia, all of you. Psalm 41 was powerful to read this morning and of course right on time. God will give you all favor and raise you up in spite of what the enemy reports. Cancer? NO, Fear? NO. Jesus has already overcome and restored joy and peace. Receive it.
This devotional today helped me realize that Jesus died not only for my sin, but for my sorrows as well. Sometimes I get so stuck in the disappointments but believing that He died for those too brings hope that they will be changed in the restoration. I had thought that if you pray Thy will be done, and have to relinquish something, that you just had to live with the disappointed feelings, but now I see that He cares about those too and will restore joy. In the morning.
Waiting for the morning!
To those who from yesterday’s post expressed the burden for adult children and/or parents who are not following the Lord with zeal, I wanted to say, “me too.” In regard to the heavy emotions that come with such a burden, I’ve been encouraged on the matter time and time again through Paul’s words in Romans 9:1-3 when he speaks of having “great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.” His sorrow and anguish as because of his “kinsmen according to the flesh” who have rejected Jesus. While I do believe it is good to ask the Lord to keep our hearts from idolizing our kinsmen, it seems these words of God’s servant show us that deep emotion over our lost family is part of loving the Lord and them. I hope this may be a kind of encouragement to you all as it has been to me.
As a type A personality, my Bible is color-coded to the extreme. For me, the color purple is assigned to “miracles & prophecies.” Today was challenging- I hesitated to break out my purple pen for today’s readings because yes, they were prophecies fulfilled, but it certainly didn’t feel appropriate to categorize them among miracles: betrayal, heartbreak, suffering,… But then I got it,… that’s the point. Jesus’ passion and the events leading up to it are all of the above,… prophecy, fulfillment, AND miracle. As hard as it is to believe (Jesus Himself found it hard to swallow in Gesthemane), Jesus’ suffering is miraculous! God orchestrated the suffering and sacrifice of His Son from the beginning, as plan A, and through this plan, we are saved from our sin. So there it is, ladies, God revealing Himself to my Type A self in a way that only He can. Wishing you all a Blessed Holy Week & a Happy Easter, purple pen in hand!
Taylor, I join with others here to pray for your friend, Carol and her mom, Cynthia. May the Lord bring healing to Cynthia both soul and body in whatever way he deems good and will glorify him. I pray for Carol’s grief and fears to be cast upon the Lord as she humbles herself under him, trusting he is not only in control of her mom’s cancer, but that he cares for them.
I’m grateful for the reminder that Jesus doesn’t expect us to face death with stoic-like emotions. What an example the Lord displayed for us at the tomb of Lazarus as well as here on the brink of his own death.And it is a gift for the Lord to teach us that though death brings us sorrow, the resurrected life brings us joy that cannot be taken from us! As I meditate on this truth and what happened to our Lord and Savior more the 2000 years ago, I feel the mixing of sorrow and joy. How glad I am that one day the sorrow will go and will be with a joy unimaginable forever! Blessed be the name of the Lord! Amen.
I feel like these collective feelings of terrible uncertainty, pain, helplessness, frustration, confusion and sadness because of COVID-19 are allowing me to view the story of Jesus’ betrayal in a different way. Thankful for the promise that joy comes in the morning.
❤️
Hi Taylor, praying for Carol and Cynthia. I pray that God heals Cynthia’s tumors. I pray that Carol remains strong and remembers to lean on the Lord during this time where things seem uncertain. He is certain; He is in control <3
Hi ladies!
Asking for prayer today for my best friend Carol and her family. She just found out yesterday her mom’s breast cancer has returned but this time in her liver. We’re not sure of the severity yet, but my friend and I are both 24 and she is heart-broken over this especially as her mom seemed to finally be in the clear with her breast cancer. Please pray for strength for Carol and her family, peace that surpasses all understanding, and that God would work a miracle and heal her mom’s body (her mom’s name is Cynthia). Thank you all so much!
Love it that the portion I underlined as I read is the verse she highlighted at the end of the devotion. God is good.
So much activity on that Thursday.
The Passover meal. The washing of feet. The last supper. The dipping of the bread. Peter’s bold statement. Jesus’ prediction of Peter’s denial. Gethsemane. Slumbering disciples. Sweating blood. Jesus’ resolve. A mob with swords and clubs. Judas’ betrayal by a kiss. The cutting of the ear of the high priest’s servant. The disciples’ desertion. Jesus accused before the Sanhedrin. False testimonies. Peter by the fire in the courtyard. Jesus condemned. The spitting on, the blindfolding, the beating and slapping of Jesus. Peter’s cursing and swearing denial. A crowing rooster. Peter weeping.
It’s nearly too much to take in. But I think it’s good to sit for a while in all the emotion of that evening, that night. To dwell for awhile on what each individual may have felt. To think about what I would have done or said – or not done or said. I know Sunday is coming but I want to linger in the upper room, the garden, the courtyard for a while. I want to note each choice made and the cost and consequence of each one made. I need to feel deeply and personally. So that I can appreciate and love Jesus more.
So well said. Thank you.
I agree, Churchmouse! There’s so much to take in in these passages, and I love the opportunity to just linger in them in this lead up to Easter. Thank you for your words. I too want to appreciate and love Jesus more as I take to heart again all that He has done for us.
Maundy Thursday—last supper—setting the stage for what is to come. Yet, the principle players did not grasp His implications, and they slept…turned him in…ran away (Mark naked apparently)…denied him three times. What hope do we have, 2k years later, if those who were there, who lived, ate, and worked with Jesus could not stand firm in their love, belief, and trust of Him? Yet, we have hope. Easter Sunday guarantees us of that.
Kathy, congratulations on the arrival of your new grandson!, Though the circumstances are difficult, he is blessed to have so many ready to love on him from the start! Praying for good health for all and that you will soon be holding him in your arms. Be sure to sing “Happy birthday!” for it surely is.
“…your sorrow will turn to joy.”
My youngest daughter gave birth to her first child last night. It has been an emotional roller coaster this week. She went to the hospital Monday night to be induced. Things moved very, very slowly. They finally did a c-section last night about 10:30. Wyatt James Clark – 10 lbs 6 oz! He is going to be fine but he had some respiratory distress and will be in NICU for at least 48 hours. No one can be at the hospital with them except Will, my son-in-law. My husband and I are sitting at their house. It’s incredibly hard. All I can do is trust God. We are sorrowful right now but I know joy is coming. Please pray for Wyatt, Sara, and Will. That they will be protected from this virus, that Wyatt will be completely healthy, that Sara recovers from this c-section. Joy. Will. Come!!
Congratulations, Kathy! Little Wyatt (or not so little!) will hear many stories about his birth. God bless your family at this special time!
Jess, I heard a pastor say that this showed the fear and desperation of the disciples, who had just sworn allegiance to Jesus, to get away from the angry mob. John, that is who most people think it is even though we don’t know for sure, was so afraid that rather than stop and cover himself, he ran off naked (I don’t know about you, but for me to run naked publicly would take a horrendous amount of fear). Jesus told them they would be afraid and leave Him alone. The weight of His words probably set in very quickly once they remember them…and then the guilt…the very guilt Jesus was giving Himself up that night to reconcile us with God.
The same is true for me. My intentions are always good, but then I run from things in fear…sometimes that desparately! I do this even though I know there is nothing to fear as I belong to God and He loves me and has my very soul in the palm of His hand.
Some truths just don’t change!
Amen to Bailey’s writing today! Joy comes.
Sorry, I tried to copy the scripture, but verses 52 and 53 got switched.
In Mark 14 it mentions this naked guy who tried to follow after Jesus is arrested. Does anyone know what this is about or if it’s mentioned in any other Gospels? It seems like such a random detail, but the Lord is the ultimate author of the Bible, so I’m wondering if there’s something here that I’m not understanding.
“37And he came and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not watch one hour? 51And a young man followed him, with nothing but a linen cloth about his body. And they seized him, 53And they led Jesus to the high priest. And all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes came together. 52but he left the linen cloth and ran away naked.”
I’ve wondered the same thing Jess.
I believe that’s a little nod to John Mark who wrote the book—and I think it was him. I hope I’m not remembering wrong a discussion I heard recently about those strange verses!
Yes! Claudia from what I have learned you are correct. I am currently getting my undergrad in Biblical Studies and I am taking New Testament this semester! We learned just a couple months ago that that small piece might be Marks way of putting himself into the story. It isn’t mentioned in any of the other gospels. Of course, we do not know this for sure, but it is soo interesting to think of how he may have done that!
That stood out to me as well today!
https://biblehub.com/commentaries/mark/14-51.htm
This website was also super helpful! I was wondering the same this morning. Some think it may have been Mark, but they have no grounds that it was. Others think it may have been the owner of the garden nearby.
In the believers bible commentary it says Mark is the only one to record this incident and that many believe it was Mark himself. It continues to say : Erdman comments “probably this picturesque incident is added to show how completely Jesus was forsaken in the hours of His peril and pain. He surely knew what it was to suffer alone.”
Jesus knew what was coming.
His purpose on earth was about honoring His Father,
to bring home the lost sheep.
He knew, it was almost finished…
He knew the imminent suffering was coming, yet remained about others.
He washed their feet. He broke the bread and gave the wine.
He taught, he exemplified…He prayed, and prayed, …and prayed.
Imminent suffering was – NOT AN END…but, a heavy pause.
He knew, His sacrifice, once for all, would bring eternal life,
honor His Father,
and serve God’s purpose.
He knew He would be coming again!
I have a choice today.
Maybe not about what could come next in my life but, for this moment.
I can focus on myself or, honor my God and serve His purpose.
Whose feet will I wash today?
With whom will I share the bread and wine?
Will I pray, and pray…and pray some more?
Whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely admirable, excellent, praiseworthy, on these things I will think.
Because I’ve read the end of the book,
He is coming again!
We serve a risen Savior.
This is temporary – Home with our Lord is eternal.
Serve Him today
May our Father be honored, and lost sheep come HOME.
Amen and amen!
Amen!
Dorothy – praying for you in your sorrow over your niece. Sending a big hug from the Deep South and may the Lord wrap you in His arms and comfort you as only He can.
Amen Kristen, the last couple of days I have had a heavy heart, with virus claiming the father of a dear friend and his wife, and three other friends with family members who are in icu. And this just the tip of the iceberg. So right now I am submitting my will to God allowing Him give me the words to speak and the strength to be the person He wants me to be. May I humbly and mournfully continue to prepare for Good Friday and thankfully with joy prepare to celebrate Sunday. For without this week my life would be hopeless, thank you Lord!
Praying that God will give you words of comfort and that you will be willing to enter your friends’ sorrow. ❤️
Prayers for you to be able to be Christ to your friend . May he lead you and give you strength and wisdom to be his hands and feet in this . God Bless , Lori
How awful Gethsemane must have been! He was in agony, and his friends were sleeping. Try to imagine what He was enduring that night as He knows the torture that was to come. I’d like to think I would have stayed up. However, as Scripture says; The spirit is willing, bu the flesh is weak. How painful for the King of the World to be abandoned. Just think this was the same man that humbly washed their feet not long before, and now they are about to abandon Him! Forgive me for being like them. Change me into someone all out for Jesus. I read this devotional from Gethsemane: Hope you can read it! Here it is: Surrender at Gethsemane
LISTEN
Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch.”
—Mark 14:34
Have you ever felt lonely? Have you ever felt as though your friends and family had abandoned you? Have you ever felt like you were misunderstood? Have you ever had a hard time understanding or submitting to the will of God for your life?
If so, then you have an idea of what the Lord Jesus went through as He agonized at Gethsemane.
Hebrews tells us, “This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most” (4:15–16 NLT).
The Bible tells us that Jesus was “a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief” (Isaiah 53:3 NLT). But the sorrow He experienced in Gethsemane on the night before His Crucifixion seemed to be the culmination of all the sorrow He had ever known and would accelerate to a climax the following day. The ultimate triumph that was to take place at Calvary was first accomplished beneath the gnarled old olive trees of Gethsemane.
It is interesting that the very word Gethsemane means “olive press.” Olives were pressed there to make oil, and truly, Jesus was being pressed from all sides that He might bring life to us. I don’t think we can even begin to fathom what He was going through.
But look at what it accomplished. It brought about your salvation and mine. Because of what Jesus went through at Gethsemane and ultimately at the cross, we can call upon His name. Though it was an unfathomably painful, horrific transition, it was necessary for the ultimate goal of what was accomplished.
Maybe you are at a crisis point in your life right now—a personal Gethsemane, if you will. You have your will; you know what you want. Yet you can sense that God’s will is different.
Would you let the Lord choose for you? Would you be willing to say, “Lord, I am submitting my will to Yours. Not my will, but Yours be done”? You will not regret making that decision.