The Life of Jesus

Judas consented, and began to look for an opportunity to betray Jesus to them in the absence of a crowd.

Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb was to be sacrificed.

Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare for us to eat the Passover.”

“Where do You want us to prepare it?” they asked.

He answered, “When you enter the city, a man carrying a jug of water will meet you. Follow him to the house he enters,

and say to the owner of that house, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with My disciples?’

And he will show you a large upper room, already furnished. Make preparations there.”

So they went and found it just as Jesus had told them. And they prepared the Passover.

When the hour had come, Jesus reclined at the table with His apostles.

And He said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before My suffering.

For I tell you that I will not eat it again until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.”

After taking the cup, He gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves.

For I tell you that I will not drink of the fruit of the vine from now on until the kingdom of God comes.”

And He took the bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body, given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”

In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you.

Look! The hand of My betrayer is with Mine on the table.

Indeed, the Son of Man will go as it has been determined, but woe to that man who betrays Him.”

Then they began to question among themselves which of them was going to do this.

A dispute also arose among the disciples as to which of them would be considered the greatest.

So Jesus declared, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those in authority over them call themselves benefactors.

But you shall not be like them. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who leads like the one who serves.

For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines? But I am among you as one who serves.

You are the ones who have stood by Me in My trials.

And I bestow on you a kingdom, just as My Father has bestowed one on Me,

so that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.