THE PERFECT LAMB OF GOD

The Last Supper was more than the final Passover meal Jesus shared with His disciples. It was the fulfillment of the covenant spoken of in the Old Testament. 

The Old Testament prophesies Jesus’ life and death many times. For example, the Book of Isaiah points to the coming Messiah and speaks of His crucifixion, “But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds, we are healed.” Isaiah | 53:5. 

King David also spoke of Jesus’ crucifixion in Psalm 22 verses 16-18: “Dogs surround me, a pack of villains encircles me; they pierce my hands and my feet. All my bones are on display; people stare and gloat over me. They divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment.”

Psalm 22 was written 1000 years before Christ, yet it references the suffering He would endure and how He would die. This was not coincidental. Everything that happened was a fulfillment of God’s plan.

The Perfect Passover Lamb

As Jesus gathered with His disciples to celebrate the Passover, He understood that the time had come for Him to fulfill the ultimate purpose of His life (John | 13:1). He knew that the Passover meal they were sharing was symbolic of the suffering He would shortly endure. 

As foretold by Isaiah and King David, Christ would be tortured and crucified. None of His bones would be broken. He would be pierced and His blood poured out as a sacrifice. His perfect blood would pay for the imperfections of all mankind. 

Thus, just as the angel of death passed over the doorways marked with the lamb’s blood, we are saved from death by the blood of the sinless, spotless lamb of God.

The Last Supper was the first Holy Eucharist.

Following the meal, Jesus took bread, broke it, and gave it to His followers. “This is my body,” He said, “Which is given for you.” 

Then, He took the cup of wine saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.”

The miracle of the Last Supper is celebrated by Christians across the globe. The Holy Eucharist is offered at every Mass. Communion is given to all who wish to partake at churches during services throughout the year. Each time we receive Christ’s body and blood we are following His mandate, “Do this in remembrance of Me,” Luke | 22:19.

The Last Supper was the first Holy Eucharist. The first communion ever celebrated. That it was offered on the eve of Christ’s suffering and death was part of God’s plan.

Holy Thursday is a reminder of Jesus’ sacrifice, but more importantly of His love. 

In His final instructions before facing the cross, Jesus gave us a new commandment, “That you love one another: just as I have loved you,” John | 13:34.

About to face incomprehensible pain and suffering, Jesus’ focus was on love. That is the message of Holy Thursday as John | 3:16 reminds us. 

Christ, the perfect Lamb of God, took on the sins of the world, which means yours and mine, to pave the way for us to dwell for eternity in the perfect love of God. 

The Living Word of God manifested through His Son,

from beginning to the end in sacred flesh took form. 

Anointed by the Spirit, the prophecy was spoken,

until upon a cross, the chains of death were broken.

The stone was rolled away, the covenant completed,

by His stripes, our debt was paid, the darkness was defeated.

Scripture bears the good news, God’s promises fulfilled,

the Lamb of God has conquered death, and shown us how to live. 

JN Fenwick (© 2024)