Last Supper Insights

Pastor Dan Walker, PhD, MDiv

Introduction: The Weight of Jesus’ Final Words

This morning, we’re going to learn some astonishing insights from Jesus’ Last Supper. The Last Supper contains Jesus’ final words and instructions to His disciples before His crucifixion, and Jesus’ last words were very important for His disciples. They are also very important for us today, because final instructions always carry lasting significance.

Today, people’s final instructions are often given in their last will and testament. In the same way, these words of Jesus carry profound significance for our time and for the life of the church. What Jesus teaches at the Last Supper reveals foundational truths that every believer must understand and obey.

This morning, I’d like to put Jesus’ Last Supper into the context of the three marks of a biblical church or a biblical believer. Each of these three marks must be taught by the church if it is a biblical church. Each of these three marks, which are actually commands of Jesus, must be obeyed by biblical believers.

Salvation by Faith Alone

The first mark is salvation by faith alone, which stands at the center of the gospel message. Scripture makes clear that eternal life is not earned but received through faith in Jesus Christ. This truth defines what it means to be part of God’s family.

John 3:16 (ESV) “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

According to this verse, what must a person do to be saved? They must believe in Jesus, and they must put their faith in Jesus. Salvation is not about being good enough; it is about trusting fully in Christ.

Now, true faith in Jesus confesses Him as Lord. That means that you obey whatever He tells you to do, because faith that saves also transforms. This obedience flows from love, not from obligation.

The Lord’s Supper was given by Jesus as a perpetual ordinance of the church, which we’re going to talk about today. Paul reminds us of Jesus’ last words about the Last Supper, which we now refer to as Communion. These words anchor the church in remembrance, obedience, and hope.

1 Corinthians 11:24–25 (ESV) and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

In communion, we remember Jesus’ sacrifice for us. We remember our faith and commitment to Him, and we look forward to His soon return. Communion connects the past, present, and future of our faith.

The Ordinance of Believer’s Baptism

After Jesus rose from the dead, He appeared to His disciples several times and gave them two more marks of a biblical church. The second mark of a biblical church and believer is the ordinance of believer’s baptism. Baptism follows salvation and publicly identifies a believer with Christ.

Matthew 28:19 (ESV) Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Once a person puts their faith in Jesus, they become a disciple who is to be water baptized. Believers and only believers are to be baptized, and this baptism takes place once after they are saved. It is an outward expression of an inward transformation.

Spirit Baptism and Empowered Living

The third mark of a biblical church and believer is Spirit baptism. This baptism empowers believers to live out the mission Jesus has given them. It is not merely symbolic but transformational in daily life and ministry.

Acts 1:4–5 (ESV) And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

Spirit baptism provides the power we need to carry out our mission in life. As we read through the book of Acts, we see example after example of these three marks being practiced as the church grew. These are the marks of every new believer in the New Testament.

The three marks of a biblical church and biblical believer are salvation by faith, water baptism, and Spirit baptism. Today, we are going to talk in more detail about Jesus’ teaching at the Last Supper. These teachings bring clarity to how we live and worship together.

The Blessing of Jesus’ Last Supper

Luke 22:17–18 (ESV) And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves. For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”

The first insight about the Last Supper is that it is done with other believers. What we learn from the Last Supper, we can apply to our regular observance of communion. At its heart, communion begins with thanksgiving directed to God, from whom all blessings come.

Jesus then looks forward to His return with the fullness of God’s Kingdom. This future focus reminds believers that communion is not only about remembrance but also anticipation. We celebrate what Christ has done and what He will do.

Luke 22:19–20 (ESV) And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.”

The bread represents Jesus’ body, broken on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins. Jesus instructs us to take communion regularly and to remember what He has done. This remembrance keeps the gospel central in our lives.

The cup represents Jesus’ blood and a new covenant. This new covenant replaces the old covenant of the law found in the Old Testament. Its foundation is salvation by faith in Jesus’ death and resurrection.

There is nothing magical that happens to the bread and the cup; they are symbols of a spiritual reality. Yet the presence of Jesus through the Holy Spirit is there in a special way when we gather to remember and look ahead. Communion becomes a sacred moment of reflection and hope.

Luke 22:21–23 (ESV) But behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table. For the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!” And they began to question one another, which of them it could be who was going to do this.

At this same table was Judas, now controlled by Satan and planning to betray Jesus. The death of Jesus on the cross had been determined as God’s plan from before creation. Judas, a chosen disciple of Jesus, had chosen to stop believing in Him and is spending eternity in hell apart from Him.

Examining Our Hearts Before the Table

Other Scriptures instruct us to examine ourselves when we take communion. If there is any sin in our lives, we need to confess and repent of it. Scripture teaches that if we have known and unrepented sin when we take communion, God’s judgment may result in illness and even death.

In Judas’ case, we know that it resulted in his death by suicide and an eternity in hell. But when we take communion rightly, according to Jesus’ directions, it brings increased blessing into our lives and families. Communion is meant to restore, not to condemn.

Becoming a Servant Leader

Luke 22:24–25 (ESV) A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. And he said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors.”

It is not clear exactly what caused this argument among the disciples. They may have been wondering who would lead if Jesus died, or they may simply have been filled with pride and ambition. Jesus reminded them that their attitude mirrored that of pagan kings.

They were to be different from the world. Leadership in God’s kingdom is not about power or position. It is about humility and service.

Luke 22:26–27 (ESV) But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves.

Jesus made the point that the greatest leader is the one who serves the most. He reminded them that He Himself came not as a ruler demanding service, but as a servant giving His life. In John 15, the account of the Last Supper shows Jesus washing the disciples’ feet.

Judas, however, was not serving God’s purposes, as he was aligned with Satan’s plans. Jesus then turned His attention to the remaining disciples. He spoke words of promise and future reward to those who would remain faithful.

Luke 22:28–30 (ESV) “You are those who have stayed with me in my trials, and I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom, that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”

These disciples, both the eleven and disciples of Jesus today, will be rewarded. When the kingdom of God comes in fullness, we will eat and drink with Jesus at His banquet table. Scripture teaches that believers will share responsibility in God’s eternal kingdom.

Living Out Servant Leadership

As we remember what Jesus did for us in His ministry, death, and resurrection, we remember Him as a servant leader. To follow His example, we must learn to be servant leaders ourselves. A servant leader leads by serving, not by ordering others around.

Jesus led by setting an example for people to follow. In the same way, we are to lead others to believe in Jesus and to follow Him by modeling a life of obedience. This is something we should reflect on when we examine ourselves during communion.

If we are not being the servant leaders Jesus has called us to be, we must repent. We must seek God’s grace to become servant leaders for Jesus. True leadership begins with humility before God.

Withstanding Satan’s Attack

Luke 22:31 (ESV) “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat,”

Jesus now turned His attention to Peter. Satan was not only after Judas, but he was also after Peter. To sift like wheat means to shake and test Peter in order to separate him from Jesus.

Satan had to get God’s permission to attack Peter. Even in spiritual warfare, God remains sovereign. Nothing happens outside of His authority.

Luke 22:32 (ESV) but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”

Jesus had already prayed for Peter that his faith would not fail. Peter would give in to fear and deny Jesus, but he would turn again and be restored. God would still use Peter as a leader in the early church.

Luke 22:33–34 (ESV) Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.” Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.”

Peter believed he was immune to temptation, but pride goes before a fall. Before the day ended, Peter would deny Jesus three times. This moment revealed the danger of self-confidence apart from prayer.

Standing Firm Through Prayer and Repentance

In this passage, we see two men attacked by Satan: Judas and Peter. Both fell to temptation, yet their stories ended very differently. Peter repented and was forgiven, while Judas refused to repent and took his own life.

The key to Peter’s restoration was prayer, because Jesus prayed for him. The key for us today is also prayer, knowing that Jesus intercedes for us in heaven. We must pray for ourselves and for others to withstand temptation.

If we fall, we must repent and return to Jesus. In the Lord’s Supper, we examine ourselves, repent, and pray for one another. Together, we stand firm against Satan’s attacks.

Conclusion: Remembering, Examining, and Hoping

The Lord’s Supper is something Jesus instructed us to celebrate regularly. It is a time to remember what Jesus has done for us and to examine our lives before Him. It is also a time to repent of sin and realign our hearts with God.

As we take communion, we also look forward to Jesus’ return. We are called to order our lives in light of eternity. God’s plan for every believer is to be a servant leader, just like Jesus.

Together, as the body of Christ, we are able to withstand Satan’s attacks and walk in victory. Through remembrance, obedience, and prayer, we live out the truth of the gospel every day.

Meta Description: Discover powerful insights from Jesus’ Last Supper and learn how communion, servant leadership, and faith shape a victorious Christian life.

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