Three Ways the Last Supper Brings Peace to Our Anxieties
Has anxiety ever weighed so intensely on your heart that it consumed your thoughts, even as you spent time with friends? We’ve all experienced those moments where we were physically present but mentally absent because we were immensely enthralled in our doubts, anxieties, and fears. The night comes to an end in a blur as we can’t remember what was said amongst our friends, but we vividly remember the torment of our mental anguish.
Jesus has been there too. We must remind ourselves that just as he was sovereign over his hardships, he is also sovereign over our hardships. Jesus was so in tune with his Father’s will that ultimately, he exercised complete control over everything he did for the ultimate goal of obedience and dying on the cross for our salvation. He was greatly distressed at times, but his faithfulness was far greater.
A night of fellowship that led up to the betrayal of Jesus Christ was called The Last Supper.
The Last Supper was a special night known previously in the Old Testament as Passover. You must follow precise directions as you prepare and eat a Passover meal. Jesus shows us his sovereignty over this meal as he provides directions, insight, and specific guidelines for his disciples to follow. (Matthew 26:18). He entrusts them with the tasks and says I will meet you in the Upperroom later tonight. Why is this important? Jesus is preparing the hearts of his disciples for what is about to come, his suffering and death on the cross. He shows his Lordship over the cross by reminding his disciples that he is willing to lay down his life for them as he distributes the bread and wine.
“And He took the bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body, given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” Luke 22:19
Christ broke bread and drank wine with his disciples, which foreshadowed the sacrifice he was about to endure and the future kingdom he would establish; a kingdom with no end!
Three anxieties that Christ experienced during Passover night and how we can learn from them:
1) Jesus disclosed that one of the twelve disciples sharing in the Passover meal would betray him. Being betrayed by someone you love is an indescribable pain. The pain of heartache is comparable to the pain associated with a physical injury. The same intensity it takes to heal a broken bone is the same intensity used to recover from a broken heart. Yet, Christ sat and ate with Judas. He had compassion for him because he knew how lost he was. Judas would commit the ultimate betrayal. We, too, can trust God to act in justice on our behalf. God hears the cries of his children, and if we surrender our betrayals to him while forgiving our offenders, we can trust that he will enable us with the strength needed to walk in truth and love towards those who have hurt us.
2) Jesus experienced such anguish in the garden of Gethsemane that he began to sweat profusely like drops of blood. I genuinely believe that the distress experienced by Jesus of going to the cross was won in the garden of Gethsemane. Jesus battled deep anxiety about undergoing the suffering and shame leading to his crucifixion. He knew the full wrath of God would be poured upon him for the sins of the whole world. Jesus even prayed, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me….” Luke 22:42. Have you ever walked through deep suffering where you prayed, “God, why won’t you remove this suffering from my life?” Know that Jesus relates to us in our suffering because he also suffered. Just as he did, we can overcome it by relying on the Spirit's enabling power and submitting ourselves to the Father’s will.
3) Jesus' three friends and inner circle of disciples did not stay awake and pray with him but fell asleep. You will quickly discover who are your true friends when you experience challenging and painful seasons in life. Given the invaluable nature of friendship, we must make an effort to show up for our friends during trying times to remind them of God’s love, peace, and comfort. Sometimes we refrain from helping our friends as we should because we may not know what to say or do when they face challenging circumstances. However, showing our friends devotion, love, and praying on their behalf is what Jesus asked of his friends. And maybe that is what our friends need too.
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Jesus experienced betrayal and anguish, and then he went to the cross to die for them. He is our perfect and closest friend. He accepted us even while we betrayed him. He grieved over our separation from the Father and bridged the gap by making a way for us to have eternal life. On a final note, it's important to remember that Jesus intercedes on our behalf. We may experience worldly rejections, but we can take heart because Christ has overcome the world (John 16:33).
