“The words and actions of Jesus at the last supper are the most important for Christians to follow”
1. Support of this statement:
The Last Supper words of Jesus Christ imply a command for the disciples of Jesus (Christians) to always gather in thanksgiving to God (Eucharist) to share a meal (Holy Communion), in remembrance of his death (breaking of bread and pouring of blood) on the Cross of Calvary. It was at the Last Supper that Jesus initiated the events that would culminate in the achievement of his mission. His mission was to reconcile humanity to the creator, God the Father. To achieve this reconciliation, it was ordained that he would suffer and die. That is why before dying, he symbolically broke the bread and poured the wine in the chalice (cup). Effectively, even in the ordinary events of life, nothing is achieved without some breaking. For instance, to get food for eating, man breaks the soil. To become an intellectual giant, you first break your brain in order to increase its power. For a human to be born, the woman undergoes some breaking of her body both at the conception stage and the delivery state. It was at the breaking of bread that the two disciples on their way to Emmaus recognized Jesus. So, there is always an outcome from breaking. At the Last Supper, Jesus initiated a symbolic act, which he intended his followers to follow as supported by the practise of early Christians, who clearly understood the meaning and impact of his words.
2. Support of a different point of view:
A different view of the Last Supper words and actions of Jesus is that Jesus was simply sharing a meal with his disciples during the Jewish passover. It was during that meal that he predicted what he was about to accomplish by dying on the cross. He did not intend that his followers must repeat his words or actions. He only did the things he did and said the things he said as in a farewell celebration, which he did not intend his followers to judicious follow or continue until the meal in the kingdom of God is celebrated.
3. Reference to St. Mark's Gospel: A review of Mark 14: 22 - 25 while literally supporting the second point of view, may not similarly support the first point of view. But, this first point of view should not be observed in isolation. In 1 Corinthians 11: 22 - 26, clearer instructions were revealed to St. Paul on what should actually be the response of Christians to the Last Supper words and actions.
4. Conclusion: Are the two positions above justified by reference to the gospel of Mark 14: 22 - 25 alone? No. In 1 Corinthians 11: 23 - 26, St. Paul stated that the instruction he received from the Lord Jesus was that we should "do this in memory of me," 1 Corinthians 11:24B and 25B. He further stated in verse 26, "This means that every time you eat this bread and drink from this cup you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes." Therefore, my conclusion is that the Lord Jesus did and spoke symbolic words at the Last Supper. It was not his intention, however, that the event would just pass by without being re-inaugurated. He wanted his followers to continue to renew the breaking of bread and drinking from the chalice as a memorial of his death. It is only in these actions that his followers can perpetuate the memory of what he achieved on the Cross of Calvary and also participate in his death and resurrection. Without this participation, Christians will not have life in them.
Explanation:
1) Mark 14: 22 - 25 says "While they were eating, he took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, and all of them drank from it. He said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. Truly I tell you, I will never again drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”
2) The Last Supper was the meal that Jesus celebrated with his disciples on the night before his crucifixion. It was celebrated at an Upper Room in Jerusalem in the year AD 33. Some Christians refer to this meal as the Lord's Supper. Some strongly believe and practise that Jesus instituted the Sacrament (outward sign of an inward grace) of his body and blood during the meal.
