Chapter 16: The Last Supper
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And as they were eating, Jesus took bread and blessed it and break it and gave it to the disciples and said, Take, eat, this is my body. Matthew 26, 26 Because you value service to others above all, I thank you, Jesus, that even at the Last Supper, you chose to wash the feet of your disciples. In the midst of your most trying time, you did not focus on yourself.

but place the focus on serving others. As this truth is illuminated before me, I will make sure that this same character trait will remain in me, even in the midst of my own trials. I will not take my eyes off of your commission to love and to serve one another. When others around me seek to betray me for simple pleasures, I thank you that their betrayal is the prerequisite to my promotion.

Whether it's the last supper or the last dance, I will cherish each moment I get to break bread and fellowship with my loved ones as you did, Jesus. I will remember that loving and leading others is what legacy is all about. Your Passover will not pass over my heart, but will be planted deep so that you will be able to grow and flourish beautifully in my life. In Jesus' name, amen.

Stay tuned to immerse yourself in the greatest stories ever told from Pray.com's podcast, Heroes in the Bible. Hi, I'm Dr. Tony Evans, your host for Heroes in the Bible, Jesus. If you've enjoyed this podcast so far, please share it with your family and friends so that they can know Jesus Christ in a personal way, because knowing Jesus is the key to understanding the Bible.

Welcome to The Greatest Story Ever Told. It is a story of a shepherd's heart for his sheep, a father's love for his children, and a hero's triumph over death and darkness. This is a story that continues to shape and mold the world around us, bringing the divine heart of God right into the hearts of you and me. This episode takes us high and low. We will crawl into deep shadows with Judas and scale into the warm upper room with Jesus.

Darkness and light are separated by a thin veil, and we will be left at the end both fearful and hopeful at the same time. This episode is rich with imagery. It is interwoven into the finer details of the story. This episode will unpack the themes of worship, love, betrayal, and sin. As you listen to this episode, do not shy away from seeing it as a mirror.

Allow the actions of Judas to jar you awake enough to ask the question, am I capable of that same sin? We will begin this story with a prelude, a story captured from another time and space. We will be taken back to Egypt where Moses pleaded with Pharaoh to let God's people go free. He refused, therefore inviting the judgment of God upon him and his people. The prelude is a booking of sorts. The first Passover lamb pointed toward a greater sacrifice to come.

Jesus is that final Passover lamb. I can't wait to go through this episode with you. Stay tuned afterwards and unpack some of its themes with me. Here is episode 16, The Last Supper. Every sandwich has bread. Every burger has a bun. But these warm, golden, smooth steamed buns? These are special. Reserved for the very best. The Filet-O-Fish. And you. You can have them too.

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Hey, it's Will Friedle. And Sabrina Bryan. And we're the hosts of the new podcast, Magical Rewind. You may know us from some of your favorite childhood TV movies like My Date with the President's Daughter. And the Cheetah Girls movies. Together we're sitting down to watch all the movies you grew up with and chat with some of your favorite stars and crew that made these iconic movies happen. So kick back, grab your popcorn, and join us. Listen to Magical Rewind on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Brought to you by State Farm. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. A final plague is coming.

"Every firstborn in the land of Egypt will die. Your entire nation will cry out in the same agony God's people once did when you tossed their children into the Nile. Do you even hear what I am saying?" Pharaoh sat there in silence. God had sent nine other plagues. All of them hardened his heart even more. Moses stood there, fuming at the ignorance of his childhood friend. He had grown up in Egypt.

Although they were now his enemies, not even he wanted to see them killed. However, Pharaoh and his pride would not budge. It was time for the wrath of God to be fully shown to him. Moses stormed out of the palace and ran to the slave quarter of the city.

He gathered all the elders together and said, "Go and select lambs for yourselves. Kill them and spread their blood on your doorsteps. Do this, cook the lamb and enjoy a nice meal with your family, but whatever you do, do not go outside until morning. The destroyer is being sent." The people of Israel did as they were told. They sacrificed a lamb and its blood was poured out into a basin. They spread its blood over the doors for protection.

Then, like a thief in the dead of night, the destroyer came, and the wrath of God was poured out on all those who were not covered by the blood of the Lamb. In rage, agony, and shame, Pharaoh led the slaves of Israel. Because a lamb was slain, the people were able to escape death and live in freedom. It was for this reason the people of God instituted a special day, a day to remember the deliverance of God.

A day to remember a time when they were enslaved and how God's judgment passed. This feast would be celebrated for generations. It would help them endure captivity, poverty, and political unrest. For thousands of generations, people would look to that day as a symbol of God's faithfulness. The Passover was a day of salvation. Chapter 16, The Last Supper

The midnight stars were hidden by the storm clouds looming above Jerusalem. They had not left since Jesus entered the city. The city's torches had been snuffed, and all of Jerusalem and its inhabitants were sleeping soundly. Yet there was one dim light flickering near the temple estates. Down a dark stone hallway, through a large wooden door, Caiaphas sat back at his table, staring intently at his guests.

The chief priests, Pharisees, scribes, and Sadducees had bickered into the night on how to put an end to Jesus. The plan had been to arrest him when he walked into the city. However, he was too popular to seize in public. Caiaphas rested his chin on his folded hands, allowing the circular arguing to fill the room. He gave a loud sigh, loud enough for the room to go quiet. "It must be by stealth," Caiaphas said.

As I have said before, it cannot be with the people watching, nor can it be within the temple gates. Too many loyal eyes will be upon him. How will we know his whereabouts? One of the Pharisees asked. I suspect we will need someone who knows where he will be. Caiaphas replied, stroking his beard. It will not be easy, for I know his followers are devoted to him. They treat him like Jehovah himself.

"'You will need many soldiers,' a scribe replied. "'Surely a man who can raise the dead can stop a sword or two. We must be ready.' Caiaphas nodded and gestured to the captain of the temple guard standing at the door. "'We will ensure his capture. Our men will be ready when the time is right.' As he said these things, the men could hear a shuffle down the hallway. The temple guards drew their swords."

The footsteps grew louder and louder until stopping at the door. The captain of the guard approached with his sword drawn. There was a small knock followed by silence. The guard peeked through an opening to see a hooded figure standing at the entrance. He opened the door violently, grabbing the man and pressing the blade to his throat. The guard threw him to the ground and forced him to his knees. The hooded figure bowed with his head low and hands raised.

Caiaphas stood to his feet. Reveal yourself, he demanded. The hooded man raised his head slightly and removed his hood. It was a younger man with keen eyes. He stared at the high priest intently, waiting for him to recognize him. Caiaphas tilted his head and walked forward. I know you, Caiaphas said. You are one of them. One of the Twelve.

Has that blasphemer Jesus sent you here to deliver a message? The man simply shook his head, not wanting to speak unless prompted. Do not waste my time, disciple. Why are you here? Speak before I have my guard force it out of you. I am Judas. Judas Iscariot, my lord. I have come to offer up my services. Judas spoke with a slightly panicked and paranoid tone. Caiaphas looked down at him, then looked at the other religious leaders in the room.

He snarled at Judas and said, "You would betray your teacher? I thought he was your Messiah." Judas held his head low in shame. He paused for a moment, considering what he was doing. "Am I really ready to do this?" Judas thought to himself. "Am I ready to betray Jesus after all I've witnessed?" Judas looked up at Caiaphas.

He gulped and reassured his heart that money was a far better reward than living outside with Jesus and a bunch of fishermen. "What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?" Judas asked. The entire room laughed. Caiaphas looked around, amused at Judas' reply. He nodded to one of the scribes. The man reached into his cloak and grabbed a bag of silver. Caiaphas took it and counted the coins in his hands.

"Thirty pieces of silver for your master's whereabouts on the night of Passover," Caiaphas said. "I want the exact place he will be, and I want you to direct my guards to him. Can you do this?" Judas nodded. "Very well. Here is your coin. Take it and leave me. Send for us when the time is right." Caiaphas tossed the coins to him, then gestured for the guards to escort him out. Judas held the sack of coins under the darkened sky.

Its weight was heavy in his hands. He looked down at it for a long while, contemplating what he had just done. It had only taken a few moments for him to betray the Son of God. The Messiah himself would be put to death, all for a few pieces of silver. Had he made a mistake? Was it too late to turn back? Would Jesus know? Judas blocked these thoughts from his mind. The purpose for sin always requires a willing ignorance.

He breathed in deeply, smiled at his coins, and merrily walked back to the camp where Jesus and the others slept soundly. Watching Judas leave was the serpent from ancient days. The deceiver and accuser grinned as Judas walked with silver clanging in his pocket. He had won over his heart. Soon enough, he would have victory.

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In Orlando, anything is possible if you can imagine it. Plan your escape today and save at visitorlando.com. That's visitorlando.com for everything you need for an amazing getaway. The sun rose behind the clouded sky. Its orange hue was covered behind the brewing storm. A gray haze overshadowed the city of Jerusalem. However, the city below was bustling with life as the Passover feast approached.

Jesus sat on a small hill, taking in the city. Despite the darkness dwelling above, the city below was vibrant and colorful. Men and women filled the streets, singing and preparing for the feast. Jesus looked a little way into the distance. The storm clouds were centering themselves over the hills in the distance. Golgotha was preparing itself. "There you are, Master," Andrew said, climbing up a few stones.

Jesus smiled and gestured for him to have a seat next to him. Andrew sat and looked out at the horizon for a moment with Jesus. "Where would you have us eat for the Passover?" Andrew asked. "Go into the city," Jesus replied. "Go to a certain man. You will know him when you see him. Simply tell him that the Lord has need of his house and he will offer it up to us." Andrew nodded, a bit skeptical.

His last mission was to retrieve a cult for Jesus, and that ended with a few cracked ribs. Nevertheless, Andrew took a few of the disciples and departed into the city. As they entered, there was a man standing outside his home sweeping. Andrew did not know if he was the man Jesus told him about. However, he thought it would not hurt to ask. Sir! Andrew called out. The Lord has need of your home this evening. The man ceased his sweeping and looked up.

His eyes widened as he saw the disciples approaching. God had clearly spoken to him the night before. He bowed and offered up his home. So the twelve and a few others prepared the Passover meal. They laughed, sang old hymns, and enjoyed the process of celebration. However, Judas remained silent. His heart had already grown bitterly cold, unable to be warmed by good company.

The supper had begun. Delicious food had flowed from the kitchen and the disciples laughed and sang with one another. The Passover meal had been a cherished tradition for every generation since the Exodus from Egypt. They kept it closely to their hearts, remembering God's faithfulness to their ancestors. The Passover meal was a constant reminder that God would go to great lengths to protect and provide for His children.

This night was set aside for gratitude, contemplation, and worship. Jesus looked among his disciples. He knew that his final moments had come. He looked at each of them, filled with love, overflowing love. Jesus was reminded of what it was once like walking in the Garden of Eden. He longed for that again. He would go to great lengths to restore that relationship. Jesus bowed his head and smiled.

While the disciples were still talking amongst each other, Jesus stood to his feet and walked over to the entrance of the room. Near the door was a large pot of water and a basin. Jesus removed his outer garments and wrapped a towel around his waist. He poured the water into a large basin and brought it over to the disciples. Without a word, Jesus took Philip's feet and began to wash them.

The dirt and grime from the day's travels washed out into the basin. Jesus took the towel on his waist and dried off his feet. He did the same with Bartholomew, scrubbing his feet and drying them off. Dirty water splashed onto Jesus' chest as he washed. The disciples were speechless as Jesus proceeded to wash the feet of Thomas, Matthew, James, Jude, Simon, James the son of Zebedee,

John and Andrew. The entire room washed as Jesus knelt down into the grime and dirt. Washing feet was a job only for Gentile slaves, yet Jesus was content to kneel down and wash the dirt, grime, and excrement off their feet. Jesus eventually made his way to Judas. Jesus looked up, smiling, then poured clean water into the basin.

He took Judas' feet and washed them. He gave just as much time and attention as he did the others. There was no partiality in Jesus, although he knew what Judas was going to do. Judas' heart beat swiftly in his chest. He averted his gaze from Jesus, ashamed. Then Jesus made his way to Peter. Before he could grab his feet, Peter pulled back. Lord, are you really going to wash my feet? He asked.

Jesus nodded and replied, "I have washed the others, have I not? Do not fret, Peter. What I am doing you do not yet understand. But trust me, soon you will understand the meaning behind what I am doing." Jesus poured clean water back into the basin and proceeded to reach for Peter's feet. He stood, shaking his head. Peter was flustered. He was uncomfortable with the man he considered a king kneeling down and washing his feet. It was a job for servants.

If anything, Peter should have been washing Jesus' feet. "No!" Peter exclaimed. "You shall never wash my feet, Jesus! Never!" Jesus sat back for a moment. He could see how upset this made Peter. Jesus opened up his hands and said, "Peter, if I do not wash you clean, you cannot share this life with me." Peter tilted his head in confusion. It was yet another metaphor he did not understand.

He looked down at the water near his feet. It rippled, Jesus' reflection. He looked up to see Jesus' warm smile. Well then, Peter began, I suppose you should not only wash my feet, but also my hands and my head. Jesus laughed and shook his head. Peter, if you've not been washed clean, you do not need to be washed again. However...

The feet still need to be washed every now and again. Jesus darted his eyes quickly at Judas, then back at Peter. Not all of you are clean. Then he washed Peter's feet, put his garment back on, and sat back at the table.

Do you understand what I've done here? Jesus said to them, You all call me teacher and Lord, and you're right to do so, for I am surely both those things. So if I then being your teacher and Lord am willing to bend down and get dirty to bless you, so you also should be willing to do for one another. I have given you the ultimate example. Wash one another's feet. The disciples nodded, understanding the meaning of Jesus' words.

He was establishing a new way to lead. He was showcasing the ultimate call of every teacher, leader, and shepherd. "A servant is no greater than his master. If you understand these simple truths, blessed are you," Jesus said. The evening drew on, and the disciples settled into the comfort of the table. The group enjoyed food, wine, and laughter. The warmth of fellowship filled the room like the aroma of fresh bread.

Jesus laughed with them. However, his heart, he knew the hour was close. He could hear the winds shift in the distance. The storm clouds had not ceased their marching. John was reclined on Jesus' chest. He was the youngest of the disciples, no older than sixteen. Jesus loved him dearly and allowed him to remain close as the final hour approached. On his other side was Judas.

He kept to himself, mostly looking down at his food. Jesus scanned the rest of the table and said, Truly I say to you, one of you will betray me. The clanging of cups ceased and silence filled the room. The disciples looked at Jesus, unable to comprehend such a thing. Lord, is it I? Philip asked. All of the disciples asked Jesus if it was them. They all were keenly aware of their potential for wickedness.

Being close to Jesus had taught them that, compared to him, their righteous acts were like filthy rags. The disciples were debating amongst each other, confused and alarmed. As they spoke, John leaned over to Jesus and whispered, "Who is it, Lord?" Jesus looked at John, then dipped a morsel of bread into the dish in front of him. It was a symbol of honor to give a guest a dipped piece of bread.

Jesus took it and looked at John. "It will be the man who receives a dipped morsel of bread," he answered. Then he gave the morsel of bread to Judas, who was next to him. Judas looked down at the piece of bread. It lingered there for a while. In that moment, Judas could have repented. He could have looked Jesus in the eyes and begged forgiveness. The pouch filled with silver in his pocket was heavy.

Like Adam and Eve with the forbidden fruit in the garden, Jesus gave Judas a choice. Would he refuse to eat and live a life with Jesus? Or would he take the food and betray his creator? He looked at the bread, then up at Jesus. With a trembling hand, he took it from Jesus. It was at that moment the enemy had fully taken hold of Judas' heart.

Satan, who had crawled his way to the Twelve, finally found his victim. Jesus looked at Judas. The other disciples were still talking amongst themselves. He placed his hand on Judas' shoulder and said, "What you are about to do, do it me." Judas' eyes widened, and he stumbled back and left the room in a hurry. No one at the table knew what Jesus told Judas. They had assumed he went to buy more food for the feast. Judas ran down the stairs into the streets.

Torches illuminated the dark, dirty pathway leading up to the temple estates. He knew where Jesus was going to next, and now he knew that Jesus would go without a struggle. So he set his gaze on the temple and ran to go tell Caiaphas. Jesus looked out the window. The moonlight was barely visible through the dense clouds above. The time has come for God to be glorified, he whispered.

He gestured to the eleven remaining disciples and caught their attention. "I tell you, it is time for the Son of Man to be glorified and for God to be glorified in him. Little children, I am only with you for a little while longer. Where I am going you cannot come. While I am gone, I have a new commandment to give you." The disciples leaned in intently. Jesus was about to give a new commandment, an addition to the ancient law of Moses.

Scripture was pouring forth from Jesus' lips and history was about to be altered. Love one another, Jesus said. This is my commandment. Just as I have loved you, you are to love one another. It is by your love for one another that people will know you are my disciples. They will come to strike me down, Jesus said. And you all will fall away for a time, as was prophesied by Zechariah.

I will strike the shepherd and the sheep will be scattered. But rest assured, after I rise again, I will come back to you in Galilee. You will be restored and I will give you the helper, the comforter, my spirit. Peter stood to his feet and beat his chest, saying, They will all fall away, Lord, but not I. I will stand with you till the bitter end. I will stay by your side and fight.

Jesus shook his head. "Peter, son of Jonah, I tell you that this very night before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times." Peter shook his head and refused. "I would rather die before denying you, Jesus." The rest of the disciples beat their fists against the table and agreed. They vowed to stick by Jesus' side no matter what. Jesus knew their hearts.

He did not hold their ignorance against them. However, the Son of Man was destined to march up the hill alone. The men continued eating. Jesus listened to their laughter fill the room like a sweet aroma. His love for them was like a bottomless well. Although his heart ached for what would happen, he felt a sense of joy set before him.

He would take all their shortcomings, sins, and shame and bury it in the grave. It would require everything from him. So Jesus grabbed a loaf of bread and raised it high. He blessed it and broke it into eleven pieces and handed them to the disciples. Take this, Jesus said. This represents my body. It is broken so that you may be made whole. The disciples took the bread and ate it.

Then Jesus poured a cup of wine. He raised it in the air and blessed it. He handed it to John, who was next to him, gesturing for him to take a sip and pass it on. This is my covenant. Take and drink of it. Long ago, a covenant had been made between God and Abraham. God promised to bless Abraham, and through his seed, all the nations would be blessed. The fulfillment of that covenant was upon them.

God had brought his promised seed, Jesus. Now it was time for a new covenant, a bond between God and man. The words of the prophet Jeremiah echoed from the time of exile long ago. He had prophesied of this new covenant when he said, "Behold, the days are coming when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel. It will not be like the covenant that I made with their forefathers. They broke that covenant.

For this is the covenant that I will make with my children. I will plant my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. The cup of wine passed along the table. This is my blood that is shed for you. Eat and drink in remembrance of me. However, I will not drink until the day I am with you in my Father's kingdom. Jesus had instituted a sacred tradition

one that would stretch as far as the Passover itself. Hundreds, then thousands, then millions of people would gather around the world to eat bread and drink wine in remembrance of Jesus' body being broken and blood being shed for the remission of sins. It would be a symbol of the new covenant, a covenant written in blood. After saying these things, Jesus rose to his feet

He began to sing, leading the disciples in an ancient hymn. His voice was low and methodic. The disciples joined in, as did the angels in heaven. Outside, the storm clouds circled in the skies. They raged like caged beasts. Jesus set his gaze to the Mount of Olives. He and his disciples hiked up the mountain to pray. The olive trees whisked gently to the wind, not too far behind them.

Judas lurked behind the trees with a hundred armed guards. Death was awaiting the Lamb of God. Every sandwich has bread. Every burger has a bun. But these warm, golden, smooth steamed buns? These are special. Reserved for the very best. The Filet-O-Fish. And you. You can have them too.

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Are you ready to have your bacon loving mind blown?

Well, here it is. Oscar Mayer takes 12 hours to smoke some delicious thick-cut bacon. Most other bacon out there is smoked for four to six hours, but Oscar Mayer doubles that time. Let's put that into perspective. You could drive from Detroit to Omaha, and Oscar Mayer thick-cut bacon wouldn't be finished smoking. You could spend the morning and all afternoon watching the Lord of the Rings trilogy in full. You could even go to bed, get a full night's sleep, wake up, shower,

shower, have breakfast, including some delicious Oscar Mayer bacon, and then drive to work and to think that the bacon would still be smoking. The point is, all of these take at least half a day to complete, and Oscar Mayer takes the best cuts and smokes them over real hardwood chips for a really long time until it tastes really good. So buy some Oscar Mayer thick-cut bacon now and enjoy.

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every day, and on any occasion. From classic and iconic to on trend and of the moment, Boston Proper creates one-of-a-kind pieces to bring exclusive looks and elevated outfits to you only the way Boston Proper can. Boston Proper is your source for those must-have items made to fit flawlessly. When you want that certain something...

In everything you wear, wear Boston Proper. Sign up for VIP access and enjoy 20% off. Shop at bostonproper.com and wear it like no one else. When the time comes to plan your next big getaway, know we got a destination idea for you. Orlando. Just think about it. The thrills at their 15 world-class theme parks, followed by awesome outdoor adventures, amazing food festivals, and top-notch dining spots. Orlando has all that and much more than you'd expect.

In Orlando, anything is possible if you can imagine it. Plan your escape today and save at visitorlando.com. That's visitorlando.com for everything you need for an amazing getaway. The Bible is more than just a set of rules or moral codes. It isn't a history book or a collection of Hebrew fables. The Bible is an interwoven story ultimately building up to the work and words of Jesus Christ.

The prelude to this story is the ultimate example of that concept. The blood of the Lamb protected people from the judgment of God. In the same way, Jesus is our Passover Lamb. His blood covers us from the judgment of God. This episode and the others leading up to the crucifixion will take place during Passover. It is not only poetic but providential that the Lamb would be slain on Passover.

The entire system of sacrifice, cleansing, and ceremony in the Old Testament was pointing to Jesus. He is our ultimate sacrifice. He washes us clean. It is him we celebrate. The episode began with betrayal. Judas, one of the chosen 12 disciples, set his heart on betraying Jesus. The last few episodes teased that this would happen, dropping hints that Judas' loyalty was on shaky ground.

In our last episode, when Jesus was confronting the priest, we got a hint. They needed to wait for the perfect moment to strike. They pursued the group of disciples following closely behind Jesus. One of them met their eyes with a look of curiosity. Jesus met their gaze. Then they turned back to Jesus.

The high priest Caiaphas tilted his head and smirked. Perhaps he had found a chink in the armor. We were also given a hint in episode 14 when Mary was anointing Jesus with expensive ointment. Mary, the sister of Lazarus, came with an alabaster flax of spikenard and expensive ointment. No doubt it was her life savings and the only financial security she had. Yet she was content to adorn Jesus with it.

She poured out the flask and it spilled onto his hair and feet. The fragrance filled the room. It was an ointment used for burial. Judas watched from the corner of his room. What is she doing? He shouted. His outburst caught the attention of everyone. That is expensive ointment. Why not sell it and give the money to the poor? Judas was in charge of the money bag and would often help himself to whatever was put into it. His outcry to sell the ointment was not out of altruism, but greed.

Leave her alone, Jesus said. See that she keeps the rest for my burial, for you will always have the poor, but my time here is almost done. Jesus saw through the heart of Judas. Mary was willing to lay down her livelihood to glorify Jesus. Yet Judas, even with all the exposure to the acts of Jesus, was gripped by the love of money. In a moment of weakness, he would soon learn just how much damage the love of money can do to a man.

I want to draw a contrast between Judas and Mary. Mary thought Jesus was worth sacrificing everything for, while Judas thought Jesus was worth sacrificing. To Mary, Jesus was worth her livelihood. To Judas, Jesus was worth 30 pieces of silver. Many people scoff at the wickedness of Judas, but may I offer up a different perspective? It is possible that you and I have sold Jesus out for far less than 30 pieces of silver.

Think about how often you and I have chosen cheap materialism or popularity over Christ. If it was truly our sin that nailed Jesus to the cross, then there are some pretty cheap sins I sold him out for. I don't say this as a condemnation, but as a shift in perspective. As evil as Judas' act was, we are guilty of the same sins. Praise be to God that he loves us and serves us despite our betrayal.

One of the more powerful moments in this episode is when Jesus was washing the feet of his disciples. Foot washing was nasty business back in those days. There were no paved roads and no public cleaning system. The roads were laced with excrement of livestock, dirt, and all sorts of filth. On top of that, everyone wore sandals. You can imagine how dirty feet were back then. It was a dishonorable job to wash feet, so much so that it was a job only for Gentile slaves.

But there Jesus was, cloth wrapped around his waist, washing his disciples' feet. The dirt and grime from their feet splashed up onto the towel and made Jesus dirty. He wore their filth. This was an image of what he would do on the cross. He would wear our filthiness so that we might wear his righteousness. He even washed the feet of Judas, knowing full well that he would betray him. Jesus still served his enemies, and he called us to do the same.

What a beautiful picture of God's love for us. The disciples sat down with Jesus for the Passover meal. They exchanged stories, prayers, and laughter. I wish I could have been there to see Jesus laughing with his disciples. Those pure moments must have been a wonder to see. However, the levity of the evening was paused when Jesus said, truly I say to you, one of you will betray me. What a jarring thing to say. Can you imagine the disciples' dismay when Jesus said that?

Do you know what I love most about this scene? The disciples didn't look around the room and start guessing who was going to betray Jesus. They didn't speculate based on people's faithfulness or judge based on appearance. They turned to themselves and asked, Lord, is it I? I love that. I love the purity of that question. They all looked inward and saw their own potential for betraying Jesus. This is one of the major themes of this epistle.

We are all capable of evil and dependent on God's Spirit to guide our hearts into righteousness. Jesus did not hold Judas' temptation against him. We are all flawed people and capable of sin. That's why Jesus gave Judas a choice. He extended the piece of bread to him, and if Judas took it, he would seal his fate. In that moment, Judas could have repented. He could have looked Jesus in the eyes and begged for forgiveness.

The pouch filled with silver in his pocket was heavy. Like Adam and Eve with the forbidden fruit in the garden, Jesus gave Judas a choice. Would he refuse to eat and live a life with Jesus, or would he take the food and betray his creator? He took the bread, then looked up at Jesus. With a trembling hand, he took it from Jesus and ate. We're all given a choice, and Jesus always offers a better path to follow.

When the lies of the enemy tempt us, Jesus is there with an outstretched hand giving us another way. The episode ends with Jesus establishing a covenant with his disciples. He breaks the bread and gives it to them, representing his body that would be broken on their behalf. He then gives them the cup of wine, representing the blood that would be shed for him.

Jesus' words have significance here, especially as it pertains to the cup. This is my covenant. Take and drink of it, Jesus said, and handed the cup to his disciples.

This phrase, this is my covenant, take and drink of it, was a Semitic idiom used for marriage proposals. When a man desired to marry a woman, he would go to his father and request an audience with the woman's family. The two families would gather and discuss a bride price. The bride price was not a dowry or buying the woman like property. The bride price was buying a chance to propose to the woman so she could say yes or no.

With the families gathered together, the man would pour a cup of wine and hand it to the woman and say, this is my covenant. Take and drink from it. In other words, he was asking her, will you marry me? And if the woman took a sip from the cup, she was essentially saying, yes, I will marry you. From that point forward, the woman referred to as one who was bought with a price. The man would leave her for a while to build a home, which was called a mansion.

The best man would be the one to relay messages back and forth while the woman got herself ready, anticipating the day the trumpet sounded so she could be brought to the groom.

When the father deemed the mansion ready, and only when the father deemed, the groom would be allowed to retrieve his bride, and they would have a feast and celebrate their union together. Do you see the parallels? Scripture refers to Jesus as the groom and us as the bride. He offers us the cup of his covenant through his sacrifice. The bride price was his life.

By putting our faith in him, we say, yes, Jesus communicates to us through the Holy Spirit, his best man. And when God the Father deems heaven fit for us, Jesus will return with trumpets to retrieve us. Communion is far more than a tradition when we remember Jesus' sacrifice. Communion is a continual practice of remembering the promises exchanged between us and Jesus.

I pray this story inspires you to see your relationship with God in a whole new light. As we continue, may we be continually contemplating Christ's sacrifice and love for us. In our next episode, the brutality of Christ's death begins. Yet even in the trial, beating, and mockery, we never get the sense that Jesus is a victim. He is a conquering hero. He is a devoted groom doing whatever it takes to retrieve his bride.

Join us next time for episode 17, God on Trial. Thanks again for listening. For more inspiring stories, daily prayers, and wisdom to last a lifetime, go to Pray.com. And to expand your Heroes in the Bible journey, download the Heroes of the Faith devotional at TonyEvans.org forward slash heroes.

Share this podcast with a family member or friend so that they can know Jesus Christ in a personal way. You never know how great of an impact the Bible and this podcast can have on someone's life. God bless.

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