2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.
The Last Supper was Jesus’ last opportunity to teach his apostles. This is only one passage of what is referred to as the “Last Discourse.” In this passage however, he reveals the promise of eternal life to those who believe in him. He goes on to say that eternal life consists in that we know God as the only true God, and that we know that he sent Jesus into the world. It was at this time that he told the apostles that he was leaving them to go and prepare a place for them. He stressed that he wanted us to be one in faith. He gave us the command to love others as he loved us. He told them much more but also told them that he had much more to tell them but they couldn’t “bear” them now. He promised to send the Spirit of truth who would guide them to all truth.
Of course, this is only one part of this most important night. He offered himself in the bread and the wine; he washed their feet and told them that they must do the same. He predicted both the betrayal by Judas and the denial of Peter. He warned them that they would run away when he was arrested.
So much happened in so little time! I wonder if they took it all in. If you or I knew when we would die, what would we want to tell those we loved? Would we let them know how much we loved them? Would we ask forgiveness for the times we had hurt them? Would we tell them not to worry, that we had no fear of dying, that we trusted in Jesus promises? What would we do?
Lord Jesus, on this special night you gave us gifts of hope and love as you approached the final day before your death. You conquered sin and death for us, may we be grateful for your gifts and live lives worthy of receiving them. Amen.
