The Last Supper - By Paul Dhinakaran

For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes.
(1 Corinthians 11:26 )



Beloved! Have you ever gone through the bitter times with your close friends forsaking and betraying you? I wish you wouldn’t!



Jesus Christ celebrated Passover with His disciples on the night when He would be betrayed. He broke bread and gave it to them saying, "Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me." Then He took the cup, and when He had given thanks He gave it to them saying, ‘Drink all of you this; for this is my blood of the New Testament which is shed for you and for the remission of the sins.” (1 Corinthians 11:26).










He grew troubled in spirit and said in agony, “...one of you will betray me” (John 13:21). Time was soon passing by and He knew that within a couple of hours He would be betrayed by His disciple Judas. He secluded with three of His disciples into the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. There He told them to keep watch and pray.


He foreknew the pain, agony and humiliation that He would suffer for mankind and travailed in prayer saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will." In His agony, His sweat became great drops of blood and fell to the ground.



He sought strength in prayer before the ordeal to the cross would begin. When He returned to His disciples, He found them weary with sleep. He sought His disciples to uphold Him in prayer but they failed to keep watch and pray with Him.



Many years ago, emperor Napoleon was captured by the English and put in solitary confinement in a small island. In course of time his body began to show signs of gradual swelling up. He complained of this to his supervisor saying, “Officer, I have an inkling that someone is trying to kill me by administering poison in my food! Please help me!” A doctor was asked to probe into the matter. After examination, the doctor recorded his medical opinion, “No one is mixing poison with his food.” But, there was indeed a person who was mixed small doses of poison with Napoleon’s food! Fully aware of the fact that he was being poisoned to death, Napoleon died, shedding tears, lamenting, ‘Alas! They are poisoning me to death! There is no one to save me!”



Beloved! Unlike Napoleon, Jesus Christ drew strength from prayer which enabled Him to endure the sufferings for mankind. Always submit to God and draw strength from prayer to victoriously overcome your problems in life.



Prayer:



Loving Lord Jesus,



Thank You for the Word. Lord, as You submitted to God and drew strength from prayer, help me to like You. I thank You that I am made righteous by grace. Help me to manifest Your love to others even when they let me down or fail me. Help me to glorify You in my word and deed. I give You all glory, honour and praise.



Amen.