LAST SUPPER

Thoughts on recreating your own Last Supper during Holy Week.

At dinnertime on the Thursday of Holy Week we like to have Mediterranean style food for dinner alongside a few Passover elements including unleavened bread, grape juice, bowl of salt water and a Seder Plate for display.  During the meal, we choose a few of the following topics to discuss/have short devotionals on: Lord, is it I; the first sacrament; servant leadership; teachings from the Last Supper discourse; and we incorporate singing a hymn. 

Items needed: place to sit on the ground to eat the meal; Bibles or print out of favorite Last supper teachings; Sacrament hymn (hymnbook or digital); Mediterranean Food and/or Passover Food with a seder plate. 

First Sacrament –Mark 14:22-26 And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body. And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it.   JST Mark 14:24 And as oft as ye do this ordinance, ye will remember me in this hour that I was with you and drank with you this cup, even the last time in my ministry…of this ye shall bear record.

Servant Leadership – Washing the feet (John 13:4-17); Who that is greatest among you shall be your servant. How can we serve more while we lead?

Teachings from the Last Supper Discourse John 13-16– Hand students/children a sheet of paper with your favorite verses or better yet, have children/students find their own favorite teachings from the discourse at the Last Supper, write them on a sheet of paper and share why it is meaningful to them. 

• Do not let your heart be troubled. John 14:1

• I am the way the truth and the life.  John 14:6

• If ye love me keep my commandments.  John 14:15

• Peace I leave with you. John 14:27

• Love one another as I have loved you. John 15:12

• I have overcome the world. John 16:33

Sing a hymn- Mark 14:26 “And when they had sung a hymn they went up into the Mount of Olives.” A few possibilities: 169 As Now we Take the Sacrament; 173 While of these emblems we partake; Love One Another

We may not always picture women at the Last Supper, but it is possible women were there. Here are four reasons why:

1.When Jesus says, “One of you will betray me” They ask, “Lord is it I?” He answers, “It is one of the twelve that dippeth with me in the dish.” (Mark 14:20) If it is just the twelve with him at dinner, why would he specify it is one of the 12?

2.When the angel tells the women at the tomb, “He is Risen…But go your way, and tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.” (Mark 16: 6-7; Mark 14:28) When did he say this unto them? It was the Last Supper/and Mt. of Olives!

3.The women who followed him from Galilee, who were there at the cross and the tomb needed to be somewhere that night because they were from out of town. Galilee is a 4-5 day walk from Jerusalem. Since the group of women are ministering to him in Galilee (Luke 8:1-3) it makes sense they would be ministering to him this night at mealtime and stay with him.

4.Passover was a family event. Jesus’ mother, and aunt, Mother of James and John are all in Jerusalem this week. It would make sense they would gather together for this meal.  

I hope you feel more connected to Jesus Christ and feel his love as you recreate the Last Supper and you feel the blessings of intentionally speaking of Jesus Christ like the below quotes teach!

“At this Easter SEASON, let us worship and praise Him for the peace, hope, light and truth He brings to us.” President Russell M. Nelson 2021

“Be intentional about talking of Christ, rejoicing in Christ, and preaching of Christ with your families and friends. You and they will be drawn closer to the Savior through this process. And changes, even miracles, will begin to happen.”   –President Russell M. Nelson Nov 2018