Introduction

Welcome, dear friends, to this blessed gathering where we come together, united in faith and fellowship, to share in the Word of God. It's a place where we can find solace in the comforting arms of the Lord, where we can find wisdom in His teachings, and where we can find strength in His promises. Today, we turn our hearts and minds towards the transformative touch of Jesus, timeless truths from the Last Supper, and triumph over tradition.

We stand on the shoulders of many who have gone before us, their wisdom and insights lighting our path. One such luminary is the great Charles Fuller who once said, 'To know the Word of God, to live the Word of God, to preach the Word, to teach the Word, is the sum of all wisdom, the heart of all Christian service.' This quote will serve as a beacon, guiding us as we navigate the truths and lessons found in today's passage.

Let's read together from the Book of Matthew, chapter 26, verses 17 through 30: 'On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, 'Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?' He replied, 'Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.' So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover. When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. And while they were eating, he said, 'Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.' They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, 'Surely you don’t mean me, Lord?' Jesus replied, 'The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.' Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, 'Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?' Jesus answered, 'You have said so.' While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, 'Take and eat; this is my body.' Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, 'Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.' When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.'

Transformative Touch of Jesus

In the passage we just read, we see Jesus and His disciples preparing for the Passover meal. This was not just any meal, but a meal that was steeped in tradition and significance for the Jewish people. It was a meal that commemorated their liberation from slavery in Egypt. But Jesus, in His divine wisdom and love, was about to give it a new meaning.

As they sat around the table, Jesus took bread, gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to His disciples. He said, 'Take and eat; this is my body.' Then He took a cup, gave thanks again, and gave it to them, saying, 'Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

In these simple yet profound actions, Jesus was demonstrating His transformative touch. He was taking something familiar - the Passover meal - and infusing it with a new meaning. He was showing His disciples, and us, that He is the true Passover Lamb, whose body was broken and whose blood was shed for the forgiveness of our sins. Now, let's look at this transformative touch of Jesus in more detail.

First, we see that Jesus' touch transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary. The bread and the wine were common elements of the Passover meal. But when Jesus took them, gave thanks, and gave them to His disciples, they became symbols of His body and blood. They became a means through which we can remember and celebrate His sacrificial love for us.

Second, Jesus' touch brings healing and wholeness. When Jesus said, 'This is my body, which is broken for you,' He was pointing to His impending death on the cross. He was showing us that His body was broken so that we could be made whole. His death brought us life. His suffering brought us healing.

Third, Jesus' touch breaks down barriers and builds bridges. In the culture of Jesus' time, it was unthinkable for a teacher to share a meal with his students. It was a clear violation of the social norms and hierarchies. But Jesus, in His radical love and humility, broke down this barrier. He shared a meal with His disciples, not as a superior to inferiors, but as a friend to friends.

Finally, Jesus' touch empowers us to live a life of love and service. After the Last Supper, Jesus washed His disciples' feet, setting an example of humble service. He said, 'I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.'

This empowering touch of Jesus is not just about serving others, but also about loving others. Jesus said, 'A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.' This love is not a feeling, but a choice. It is a choice to value others above ourselves, to forgive even when it hurts, to give even when it costs, and to serve even when it's inconvenient.

Timeless Truths from the Last Supper

As we turn our attention to the Last Supper, we find ourselves amid a moment that is both intimate and monumental ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO