Dinner Party
Have you ever been invited to a dinner or to a party, and it turned out to be something that you don't expect? Maybe a fight breaks out or family tea is spilled with everyone watching. One of those situations that you came for the food, but stayed for the drama...
The disciples probably felt this way in John 13-17. They think they're sitting down to a nice dinner with Jesus, where He might tell them how He's going to establish His kingdom and be crowned king... Instead, this dinner party (the Last Supper) comes with the news of denial, betrayal, and the news that Jesus is leaving. This dinner party kicks off the most difficult moments the disciples will face.
Just on the other side of this dinner, we find several things:
- Judas betrayed Jesus by identifying Him to the religious leaders and leading them to Jesus to arrest Him.
- Peter denies ever knowing Jesus, not once, but three times.
- The disciples scatter and hide.
- Jesus is arrest, tortured, and crucified.
Here's the thing - Jesus knew all along! None of these events caught Him by surprise.
Jesus knew this dinner party was His last moment to share and speak to the disciples before His death, and in these last moments with them, He makes 4 points we can apply to our lives:
1. LOVE Like I Showed You
- Jesus demonstrates this by washing their feet and commanding them to love one another.
2. REMAIN In Me
- John 15:1-8 can be summarized by "remain in me... those who do will produce much fruit."
3. You're NOT ALONE - Help Is Coming
- John 14 & 16 both promise the coming of the Holy Spirit
4. KEEP STANDING
- This world may end up hating you. Society and culture won't always understand or accept you. Jesus says keep standing.
He died, so that you can live! He came, so you could have freedom!
When we take communion, we are taking a seat at Jesus's table. We take the bread and juice in remembrance of what Jesus did for us, and there is a seat for anyone who wants to receive (even Judas sat at the table).
The final thing Jesus did at the Last Supper was pray for His disciples... not just the ones in that room, but for all future believers... Jesus prayed for us! You were on His mind!