The Last Supper - The New Covenant & Commandment - Holy Week Day 5

26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” 27 Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. (Matthew 26:26-28)

Sitting round the table at what we refer to as The Last Supper, Jesus shared His final moments of fellowship with the disciples before the prophecy of Zachariah would be fulfilled: I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered (Matthew 26:31; Zachariah 13:7)

Immediately following supper, John 13 records Jesus – knowing He was soon to be betrayed, denied and abandoned – girding Himself with a towel as He prepared to kneel down and wash the feet of those who would soon flee from Him. Through this act, Jesus was demonstrating what the new commandment that He would soon deliver should look like in application. 

14 “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. 16 Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.” (John 13:14-17)

As night fell, Jesus reiterated His example to His disciples by issuing the new commandment.

34 “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. 35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” (John 13:34-35)

In reading this commandment, it is crucial to note that the Greek word for “love” used by Jesus here is agape, which is considered to be the greatest or highest form of love. Agape love is unconditional, selfless and sacrificial. Jesus was telling His disciples, and us today, to demonstrate agape love towards one another. For it is agape love – this New Commandment type of love – that the New Covenant, and therefore our salvation, is substantiated by. It is the type of love that wills one to lay down their life for someone else’s sake.

In fact, Peter responded to the issuance of this commandment declaring just that. He said to Jesus, “I will lay down my life for Your sake.” However, to this Jesus replies, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the rooster shall not crow till you have denied Me three times.” (John 13:36-38)

As the night went on, these exact words of Jesus’ came to pass. Peter denied Jesus three times, and at the third denial, scripture records the rooster crowing immediately. At the sound, we can only imagine Peter’s deep remorse. Yet, if we read on to John 14, we can also imagine the comfort Peter might have taken in the words Jesus spoke to him directly after He said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the rooster shall not crow till you have denied Me three times.” 

Jesus said, “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.” (John 14:1-5)

Yet again, through this passage, Jesus shows Peter, and us, what agape love is and requires — the grace and mercy it both affords us and costs us.

As our perfect Father, Jesus knows us better than we know ourselves. He sees the worst parts of us – our insecurities, doubts, fears, failures and sinful nature – and still He invites us to the table to commune with Him, to be seated with Him in heavenly places. He loves us anyway.

Reading Guide 

• John 13:36-38

• John 18:25-27

• John 14:1-5

• Ephesians 1:7-14

• Lamentations 3:22-23

  
  

Reflection Questions 

1. In what ways can I demonstrate agape love to those around me this week?

2. Jesus washed the feet of those who would betray and deny Him—how might I be called to serve or forgive someone who has hurt or disappointed me?

3. How do I personally respond to Jesus’ invitation to commune with Him, knowing He sees every part of me—my failures, fears, and doubts?

Prayer Focus 

Thank you, Jesus, for loving me perfectly and unconditionally. Help me to love others as You have loved and do love me. It is only by Your Spirit that I can do this.

-Edna Noel