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  Section 12 The Last Supper (Passover 30: Thursday)
Jesus sends the disciples to prepare for Passover; he and the twelve meet in a guest room, at Jerusalem, to eat the Last Supper. (Thursday evening).
He begins by washing the apostles' feet, he predicts his betrayal and Judas goes out. The disciples contend about their supremacy, and Jesus exhorts them to humility. Then he institutes the Holy Eucharist. He gives them the New Commandment: "that you love one another, just like I have loved you", and he predicts Peter's denial.
It follows then the Farewell discourse: to enlighten the hearts of the disciples, he recalls the eternal mansions ("I am the way, the truth, and the life"), , the relief for the present life: "Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you" and compares himself with the vine that sustains the branches ("He who remains in me bears much fruit"); he reminds them the commandment of love and predicts to them the hate of the world; he promises them the relief of the Counselor, the eternal joy ("no one will take your joy away") and ends exhorting to courage "In the world you have oppression; but cheer up! I have overcome the world").
It follows the intercessory prayer, in which Jesus prays to the Father for himself, for the Apostles and for the Church.
 

 Thursday: Jesus sends the disciples to prepare for Passover


26:17  Now on the first day of unleavened bread, the disciples came to Jesus, saying to him, "Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover?"
26:18  He said, "Go into the city to a certain person, and tell him, 'The Teacher says, "My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples."'"
26:19  The disciples did as Jesus commanded them, and they prepared the Passover.
14:12  On the first day of unleavened bread, when they sacrificed the Passover, his disciples asked him, "Where do you want us to go and make ready that you may eat the Passover?"
14:13  He sent two of his disciples, and said to them, "Go into the city, and there you will meet a man carrying a pitcher of water. Follow him,
14:14  and wherever he enters in, tell the master of the house, 'The Teacher says, "Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?"'
14:15  He will himself show you a large upper room furnished and ready. Make ready for us there."
14:16  His disciples went out, and came into the city, and found things as he had said to them, and they prepared the Passover.
22:7  The day of unleavened bread came, on which the Passover must be sacrificed.
22:8  He sent Peter and John, saying, "Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat."
22:9  They said to him, "Where do you want us to prepare?"
22:10  He said to them, "Behold, when you have entered into the city, a man carrying a pitcher of water will meet you. Follow him into the house which he enters.
22:11  Tell the master of the house, 'The Teacher says to you, "Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?"'
22:12  He will show you a large, furnished upper room. Make preparations there."
22:13  They went, found things as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover.
 
 The Last Supper
 a. At the table with the twelve

26:20  Now when evening had come, he was reclining at the table with the twelve disciples.
14:17  When it was evening he came with the twelve.
22:14  When the hour had come, he sat down with the twelve apostles.
13:1  Now before the feast of the Passover, Jesus knowing that his time had come that he would depart from this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.
 b. He gives them wine

    22:15  He said to them, "I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer,
22:16  for I tell you, I will no longer by any means eat of it until it is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God."
22:17  He received a cup, and when he had given thanks, he said, "Take this, and share it among yourselves,
22:18  for I tell you, I will not drink at all again from the fruit of the vine, until the Kingdom of God comes."
 
 c. He washes the apostles' feet

      13:2  After supper, the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him,
13:3  Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he came forth from God, and was going to God,
13:4  arose from supper, and laid aside his outer garments. He took a towel, and wrapped a towel around his waist.
13:5  Then he poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
13:6  Then he came to Simon Peter. He said to him, "Lord, do you wash my feet?"
13:7  Jesus answered him, "You don't know what I am doing now, but you will understand later."
13:8  Peter said to him, "You will never wash my feet!" Jesus answered him, "If I don't wash you, you have no part with me."
13:9  Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!"
13:10  Jesus said to him, "Someone who has bathed only needs to have his feet washed, but is completely clean. You are clean, but not all of you."
13:11  For he knew him who would betray him, therefore he said, "You are not all clean."
 d. "You also ought to wash one another's feet"

      13:12  So when he had washed their feet, put his outer garment back on, and sat down again, he said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you?
13:13  You call me, 'Teacher' and 'Lord.' You say so correctly, for so I am.
13:14  If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet.
13:15  For I have given you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.
13:16  Most assuredly I tell you, a servant is not greater than his lord, neither one who is sent greater than he who sent him.
13:17  If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.
 e. Predicts his betrayal

26:21  As they were eating, he said, "Most assuredly I tell you that one of you will betray me."
26:22  They were exceedingly sorrowful, and each began to ask him, "It isn't me, is it, Lord?"
26:23  He answered, "He who dipped his hand with me in the dish, the same will betray me.
26:24  The Son of Man goes, even as it is written of him, but woe to that man through whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would be better for that man if he had not been born."
26:25  Judas, who betrayed him, answered, "It isn't me, is it, Rabbi?" He said to him, "You said it."
14:18  As they sat and were eating, Jesus said, "Most assuredly I tell you, one of you will betray me -- he who eats with me."
14:19  They began to be sorrowful, and to ask him one by one, "Surely not I?" And another said, "Surely not I?"
14:20  He answered them, "It is one of the twelve, he who dips with me in the dish.
14:21  For the Son of Man goes, even as it is written about him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would be better for that man if he had not been born."
22:21  But behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table.
22:22  The Son of Man indeed goes, as it has been determined, but woe to that man through whom he is betrayed!"
22:23  They began to question among themselves, which of them it was who would do this thing.
13:18  I don't speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen. But that the Scripture may be fulfilled, 'He who eats bread with me has lifted up his heel against me.'
13:19  From now on, I tell you before it happens, that when it happens, you may believe that I AM.
13:20  Most assuredly I tell you, he who receives whomever I send, receives me; and he who receives me, receives him who sent me."
13:21  When Jesus had said this, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, "Most assuredly I tell you that one of you will betray me."
13:22  The disciples looked at one another, perplexed about whom he spoke.
13:23  One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was at the table, leaning against Jesus' breast.
13:24  Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, and said to him, "Tell us who it is of whom he speaks."
13:25  He, leaning back, as he was, on Jesus' breast, asked him, "Lord, who is it?"
13:26  Jesus therefore answered, "It is he to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it." So when he had dipped the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot.
13:27  After the piece of bread, then Satan entered into him. Then Jesus said to him, "What you do, do quickly."
13:28  Now no man at the table knew why he said this to him.
13:29  For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus said to him, "Buy what things we need for the feast," or that he should give something to the poor.
13:30  Therefore, having received that morsel, he went out immediately. It was night.
 f. "You will seek me ..."

      13:31  When he had gone out, Jesus said, "Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him.
13:32  If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and he will glorify him immediately.
13:33  Little children, I will be with you a little while longer. You will seek me, and as I said to the Jews, 'Where I am going, you can't come,' so now I tell you.
 g. Dispute about supremacy

    22:24  There arose also a contention among them, which of them was considered to be greatest.
 
 h. Exhortation to humility

    22:25  He said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who have authority over them are called 'benefactors.'
22:26  But not so with you. But one who is the greater among you, let him become as the younger, and one who is governing, as one who serves.
22:27  For who is greater, one who sits at the table, or one who serves? Isn't it he who sits at the table? But I am in the midst of you as one who serves.
22:28  But you are those who have continued with me in my trials.
22:29  I confer on you a kingdom, even as my Father conferred on me,
22:30  that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom. You will sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel."
 
 i. Intitution of the Holy Eucharist

26:26  As they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks for it, and broke it. He gave to the disciples, and said, "Take, eat; this is my body."
26:27  He took the cup, gave thanks, and gave to them, saying, "All of you drink it,
26:28  for this is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many for the remission of sins.
26:29  But I tell you that I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on, until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father's kingdom."
14:22  As they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had blessed, he broke it, and gave to them, and said, "Take, eat. This is my body."
14:23  He took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave to them. They all drank of it.
14:24  He said to them, "This is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many.
14:25  Most assuredly I tell you, I will no more drink of the fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it anew in the Kingdom of God."
22:19  He took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and gave to them, saying, "This is my body which is given for you. Do this in memory of me."
22:20  Likewise, he took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.
 
 The New Commandment: "That you love one another, just like I have loved you"

      13:34  A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, just like I have loved you; that you also love one another.
13:35  By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."
 Predicion of Peter's denial

26:30  When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
26:31  Then Jesus said to them, "All of you will be made to stumble because of me tonight, for it is written, 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.'
26:32  But after I am raised up, I will go before you into Galilee."
26:33  But Peter answered him, "Even if all will be made to stumble because of you, I will never be made to stumble."
26:34  Jesus said to him, "Most assuredly I tell you that tonight, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times."
26:35  Peter said to him, "Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you." All of the disciples also said likewise.
14:26  When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
14:27  Jesus said to them, "All of you will be made to stumble because of me tonight, for it is written, 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.'
14:28  However, after I am raised up, I will go before you into Galilee."
14:29  But Peter said to him, "Although all will be offended, yet I will not."
14:30  Jesus said to him, "Most assuredly I tell you, that you today, even this night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times."
14:31  But he spoke all the more, "If I must die with you, I will not deny you." They all said the same thing.
22:31  The Lord said, "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan asked to have you, that he might sift you as wheat,
22:32  but I prayed for you, that your faith wouldn't fail. You, when once you have turned again, establish your brothers."
22:33  He said to him, "Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death!"
22:34  He said, "I tell you, Peter, the rooster will by no means crow today until you deny that you know me three times."
13:36  Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, where are you going?" Jesus answered, "Where I am going, you can't follow now, but you will follow afterwards."
13:37  Peter said to him, "Lord, why can't I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you."
13:38  Jesus answered him, "Will you lay down your life for me? Most assuredly I tell you, the rooster won't crow until you have denied me three times.
 The two swords

    22:35  He said to them, "When I sent you out without purse, and wallet, and shoes, did you lack anything?" They said, "Nothing."
22:36  Then he said to them, "But now, whoever has a purse, let him take it, and likewise a wallet. Whoever has none, let him sell his cloak, and buy a sword.
22:37  For I tell you that this which is written must still be fulfilled in me: 'He was counted with the lawless.' For that which concerns me has an end."
22:38  They said, "Lord, behold, here are two swords." He said to them, "That is enough."
 
 The Farewell discourse
 a. The relief of the eternal mansions: "I am the way, the truth, and the life."

      14:1  "Don't let your heart be troubled. Believe in God. Believe also in me.
14:2  In my Father's house are many mansions. If it weren't so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you.
14:3  If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and will receive you to myself; that where I am, you may be there also.
14:4  Where I go, you know, and you know the way."
14:5  Thomas says to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going. How can we know the way?"
14:6  Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me.
14:7  If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on, you know him, and have seen him."
14:8  Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us."
14:9  Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you such a long time, and do you not know me, Philip? He who has seen me has seen the Father. How do you say, 'Show us the Father?'
14:10  Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? The words that I tell you, I speak not from myself; but the Father who lives in me does his works.
14:11  Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me; or else believe me for the very works' sake.
 b. The relief for the present life: "Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you"

      14:12  Most assuredly I tell you, he who believes in me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these will he do; because I am going to my Father.
14:13  Whatever you will ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
14:14  If you will ask anything in my name, I will do it.
14:15  If you love me, keep my commandments.
14:16  I will pray to the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, that he may be with you forever,--
14:17  the Spirit of truth, whom the world can't receive; for it doesn't see him, neither knows him. You know him, for he lives with you, and will be in you.
14:18  I will not leave you orphans. I will come to you.
14:19  Yet a little while, and the world will see me no more; but you will see me. Because I live, you will live also.
14:20  In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.
14:21  One who has my commandments, and keeps them, that person is one who loves me. One who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him, and will reveal myself to him."
14:22  Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, "Lord, what has happened that you are about to reveal yourself to us, and not to the world?"
14:23  Jesus answered him, "If a man loves me, he will keep my word. My Father will love him, and we will come to him, and make our home with him.
14:24  He who doesn't love me doesn't keep my words. The word which you hear isn't mine, but the Father's who sent me.
14:25  I have said these things to you, while still living with you.
14:26  But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and will remind you of all that I said to you.
14:27  Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, give I to you. Don't let your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful.
14:28  You heard how I told you, 'I go away, and I come to you.' If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I said 'I am going to my Father;' for the Father is greater than I.
14:29  Now I have told you before it happens so that, when it happens, you may believe.
14:30  I will no more speak much with you, for the prince of the world comes, and he has nothing in me.
14:31  But that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father commanded me, even so I do. Arise, let us go from here.
 c. The vine that sustains the branches: "He who remains in me, bears much fruit"

      15:1  "I am the true vine, and my Father is the farmer.
15:2  Every branch in me that doesn't bear fruit, he takes away. Every branch that bears fruit, he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.
15:3  You are already pruned clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.
15:4  Remain in me, and I in you. As the branch can't bear fruit by itself, unless it remains in the vine, so neither can you, unless you remain in me.
15:5  I am the vine. You are the branches. He who remains in me, and I in him, the same bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
15:6  If a man doesn't remain in me, he is thrown out as a branch, and is withered; and they gather them, throw them into the fire, and they are burned.
15:7  If you remain in me, and my words remain in you, you will ask whatever you desire, and it will be done for you.
15:8  "In this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit; and so you will be my disciples.
 d. The commandment of love. The hate of the world

      15:9  Even as the Father has loved me, I also have loved you. Remain in my love.
15:10  If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and remain in his love.
15:11  I have spoken these things to you, that my joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be made full.
15:12  "This is my commandment, that you love one another, even as I have loved you.
15:13  Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
15:14  You are my friends, if you do whatever I command you.
15:15  No longer do I call you servants, for the servant doesn't know what his lord does. But I have called you friends, for everything that I heard from my Father, I have made known to you.
15:16  You didn't choose me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain; that whatever you will ask of the Father in my name, he may give it to you.
15:17  "I command these things to you, that you may love one another.
15:18  If the world hates you, you know that it has hated me before it hated you.
15:19  If you were of the world, the world would love its own. But because you are not of the world, since I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
15:20  Remember the word that I said to you: 'A servant is not greater than his lord.' If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will keep yours also.
15:21  But all these things will they do to you for my name's sake, because they don't know him who sent me.
15:22  If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have had sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin.
15:23  He who hates me, hates my Father also.
15:24  If I hadn't done among them the works which no one else did, they wouldn't have had sin. But now have they seen and also hated both me and my Father.
15:25  But this happened so that the word may be fulfilled which was written in their law, 'They hated me without a cause.'
15:26  "When the Counselor has come, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will testify about me.
15:27  You will also testify, because you have been with me from the beginning.
 e. The relief from the Counselor

      16:1  "These things have I spoken to you, so that you wouldn't be caused to stumble.
16:2  They will put you out of the synagogues. Yes, the time comes that whoever kills you will think that he offers service to God.
16:3  They will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor me.
16:4  But I have told you these things, so that when the time comes, you may remember that I told you about them. I didn't tell you these things from the beginning, because I was with you.
16:5  But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, 'Where are you going?'
16:6  But because I have told you these things, sorrow has filled your heart.
16:7  Nevertheless I tell you the truth: It is to your advantage that I go away, for if I don't go away, the Counselor won't come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.
16:8  When he has come, he will convict the world about sin, about righteousness, and about judgment;
16:9  about sin, because they don't believe in me;
16:10  about righteousness, because I am going to my Father, and you won't see me any more;
16:11  about judgment, because the prince of this world has been judged.
16:12  "I have yet many things to tell you, but you can't bear them now.
16:13  However when he, the Spirit of truth, has come, he will guide you into all truth, for he will not speak from himself; but whatever he hears, he will speak. He will declare to you things that are coming.
16:14  He will glorify me, for he will take from what is mine, and will declare it to you.
16:15  All things whatever the Father has are mine; therefore I said that he takes of mine, and will declare it to you.
 f. The eternal joy "No one will take your joy away"

      16:16  A little while, and you will not see me. Again a little while, and you will see me."
16:17  Some of his disciples therefore said to one another, "What is this that he says to us, 'A little while, and you won't see me, and again a little while, and you will see me;' and, 'Because I go to the Father?'"
16:18  They said therefore, "What is this that he says, 'A little while?' We don't know what he is saying."
16:19  Therefore Jesus perceived that they wanted to ask him, and he said to them, "Do you inquire among yourselves concerning this, that I said, 'A little while, and you won't see me, and again a little while, and you will see me?'
16:20  Most assuredly I tell you, that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy.
16:21  A woman, when she gives birth, has sorrow, because her time has come. But when she has delivered the child, she doesn't remember the anguish any more, for the joy that a human being is born into the world.
16:22  Therefore you now have sorrow, but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.
16:23  "In that day you will ask me no questions. Most assuredly I tell you, whatever you may ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you.
16:24  Until now, you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be made full.
 g. Faith, hope and courage: "the world you have oppression; but cheer up! I have overcome the world"

      16:25  I have spoken these things to you in figures of speech. But the time is coming when I will no more speak to you in figures of speech, but will tell you plainly about the Father.
16:26  In that day you will ask in my name; and I don't say to you, that I will pray to the Father for you,
16:27  for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me, and have believed that I came forth from God.
16:28  I came out from the Father, and have come into the world. Again, I leave the world, and go to the Father."
16:29  His disciples said to him, "Behold, now you speak plainly, and speak no figures of speech.
16:30  Now we know that you know all things, and don't need for anyone to question you. By this we believe that you came forth from God."
16:31  Jesus answered them, "Do you now believe?
16:32  Behold, the time is coming, yes, and has now come, that you will be scattered, everyone to his own place, and you will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.
16:33  I have told you these things, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have oppression; but cheer up! I have overcome the world."
 The intercessory prayer
 a. Jesus prays for himself

      17:1  Jesus said these things, and lifting up his eyes to heaven, he said, "Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may also glorify you;
17:2  even as you gave him authority over all flesh, he will give eternal life to all whom you have given him.
17:3  This is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and him whom you sent, Jesus Christ.
17:4  I glorified you on the earth. I have accomplished the work which you have given me to do.
17:5  Now, Father, glorify me with your own self with the glory which I had with you before the world existed.
 b. Jesus prays for the apostles

      17:6  I revealed your name to the people whom you have given me out of the world. They were yours, and you have given them to me. They have kept your word.
17:7  Now they have known that all things whatever you have given me are from you,
17:8  for the words which you have given me I have given to them, and they received them, and knew for sure that I came forth from you, and they have believed that you sent me.
17:9  I pray for them. I don't pray for the world, but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours.
17:10  All things that are mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them.
17:11  I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them through your name which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are.
17:12  While I was with them in the world, I kept them in your name. Those whom you have given me I have kept. None of them is lost, except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.
17:13  But now I come to you, and I say these things in the world, that they may have my joy made full in themselves.
17:14  I have given them your word. The world hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
17:15  I pray not that you would take them from the world, but that you would keep them from the evil one.
17:16  They are not of the world even as I am not of the world.
17:17  Sanctify them in your truth. Your word is truth.
17:18  As you sent me into the world, even so I have sent them into the world.
17:19  For their sakes I sanctify myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth.
 c. Jesus prays for the Church

      17:20  Not for these only do I pray, but for those also who believe in me through their word,
17:21  that they may all be one; even as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that you sent me.
17:22  The glory which you have given me, I have given to them; that they may be one, even as we are one;
17:23  I in them, and you in me, that they may be perfected into one; that the world may know that you sent me, and loved them, even as you loved me.
17:24  Father, I desire that they also whom you have given me be with me where I am, that they may see my glory, which you have given me, for you loved me before the foundation of the world.
17:25  Righteous Father, the world hasn't known you, but I knew you; and these knew that you sent me.
17:26  I made known to them your name, and will make it known; that the love with which you loved me may be in them, and I in them."

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  Hernán J. González
http://hjg.com.ar
Buenos Aires, Argentina - March 2001
Last revision: 08/09/2001