The Last Supper (In Preparation for Thursday) | Matthew 26:17-30

The Passover with the Disciples

17 On the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where do you want us to make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?” 18 He said, “Go into the city to a certain man and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, My time is near; I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.’ ” 19 So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover meal.

20 When it was evening, he took his place with the twelve disciples, 21 and while they were eating he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.” 22 And they became greatly distressed and began to say to him one after another, “Surely not I, Lord?” 23 He answered, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. 24 The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that one not to have been born.” 25 Judas, who betrayed him, said, “Surely not I, Rabbi?” He replied, “You have said so.”

The Institution of the Lord’s Supper

26 While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you, I will never again drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

30 When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

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Although the Gospel of Matthew does not include the ritual foot washing that we observe on Maundy Thursday—an element found in the Gospel of John—it does not diminish the intimacy of the moment. The closeness isn't solely found in the words that signify our remembrance at the table; it's also present in the parts we don't get to hear, the conversations left out of the story, and the deep, honest connection Jesus had with his friends. He shared the full truth about that night and what was to come. The intimacy was present when he "took his place with [them]" (v. 20). It continued even after he spoke the covenantal words over the bread and wine, as they sang a hymn that connected them to their ancestors and to their collective memory (see v. 30).  

One of the beautiful aspects of Maundy Thursday is that we are reminded of this intimate connection with one another and with God. Despite knowing what to expect on Good Friday, we, like Jesus and his friends, can pause, take our place with one another, and share in each other's full humanity. Today, the day before, is a great day, then, to practice embracing the moments of intimacy that show up around you. Perhaps you won't go to a Maundy Thursday service. What other ways are you sharing love with other people? Did you share or receive a smile or a kind gesture? Did you have a chance to tell someone a hard truth out of love because they needed to know? Are you sharing a meal with your friends and family, and will it end in a story or a song that you all know and love? Or maybe it's a good time to think of a time you got to do any of these things and write them in a journal if that's a thing you do. No matter what today brings, here's a prayer you can say with one another: God who is intimately close to us, this world can be so isolating. Help us to experience this closeness today with you and others we encounter. Surround us with your gracious and compassionate presence and empower us to embody it throughout our day. Amen.

Pastor Tamika Jancewicz (she/they)

First Lutheran in Ellicott City, MD

Summer 2025 Faculty at Pinecrest