Chapter XX: The Last Supper

THE night before our Lord was crucified for us, He gathered His twelve disciples together, and sat down to eat the Passover Supper with them in the Upper Room.

And as they were eating, Jesus was troubled in spirit, and told them that one of them would betray Him.

Close to His side, leaning on His bosom, was the disciple whom Jesus loved; and Peter beckoned to him to ask the Lord who it was who should betray Him.

So John, leaning on Jesus' bosom, whispered, "Who is it, Lord?"

And Jesus answered, "It is he to whom I give a sop when I have dipped it."

And He gave the sop to Judas Iscariot.

And as they were eating, "Jesus took bread, and gave thanks and brake it, and gave unto them, saying: 'This is My Body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of Me.' Likewise also the cup, after supper, saying: 'This cup is the New Testament (covenant) in My Blood which is shed for you.'"

And from that Last Supper before His death till now, nearly two thousand years after, in one unbroken chain, week after week, those who love Christ have partaken of this Holy Feast, in remembrance of Him till He comes back again.

The Holy Supper was over. Judas had already left them to go and betray his Master to the Chief Priests, for thirty pieces of silver, and he had gone out into the darkness.

In that wonderful conversation, as Jesus talked with the disciples for the last time, He told them many things which they understood more clearly afterwards.

He told them He would not leave them comfortless, and that He was going to prepare a place for all who loved Him, in the many mansions of His Father's house.

And then they sang a hymn together—Jesus and His disciples—and after that they went into the Garden of Gethsemane, where the Easter moon was shining among the sombre trees: and there it was that Judas found Him, and betrayed Him to the multitude.