Number the story of the Last Supper (Mark 14:12-26) in order:

A. Jesus sent 2 disciples to Jerusalem, to meet & follow a man carrying water jar, into a house. There they were shown a room where they prepared the Passover
B. After they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Jesus predicted they would all “fall away from him”.

C. Jesus arrives with his disciples in the evening.

D. Peter protested: “even if they all fall away, I will not.” Jesus replied: “before the cock crows twice, you will deny me 3 times. But Peter insisted he would not, “even if I have to die”.

E. As they were eating Jesus said “One of you will betray me”. They were sad and wondered who. “The one dipping bread into the dish with me”… “It would have been better for that man never to have been born.”

F. As they were eating, he took bread, blessed it, broke it and said “Take, eat this is my body”.

Summarise the story of the Last Supper in your own words, under the headings below:

  • Sent disciples with instructions:
  • Evening came & Jesus + rest disciples arrived & begin the meal. Prediction of betrayal:
  • Disciples reaction to this:…. Jesus response: (briefly)
  • What Jesus did (4 actions) & said with the bread:
  • What Jesus did & said with the wine:
  • Jesus foretells the Messianic banquet:

G. Then he took a cup, gave thanks, gave it to them and they all drank of it. “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. Truly, I say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God”.

H And then, going into the Garden of Gethsemane, he told them to watch & wait, while he went apart to pray.

Who is it this a meaning for? (his disciples, all Christians, only Catholics or only non-Catholics?) / The meaning of the Last Supper
To let his disciples know that going to his death was God’s plan –Jesus is freely offering himself as a sacrifice
When Jesus said “This IS my body” he meant it really is his body, whenever the Last Supper is celebrated. It brings spiritual nourishment, forgiveness of sin and a sharing in His eternal life.
It makes those who eat it united with Jesus and with each other – also that they are part of this New Covenant.
It gives a hint of the feast in the Kingdom of Heaven, of the new age to come, that Jesus will bring about by his death and resurrection.
It might embarrass Judas into having second thoughts?
It is a way of remembering Jesus’ sacrifice, that Jesus himself commanded us to celebrate.
It is only a symbol of his sacrifice, not his actual body and blood. The bread and wine themselves do not do anything special.