Chapter 5: The Last Supper
Based on Luke 22:17-20

Scripture Background

Jewish people celebrate the feast of Passover each year. Passover celebrates God freeing the Hebrews from slavery in Egypt. On Passover, the Jewish people eat a special meal. On the night before he died, Jesus ate this meal with his disciples. The Passover meal began with roasted lamb, unleavened bread, wine, and bitter herbs. The unleavened bread symbolized that the Israelites left Egypt in a hurry. There was no time to let the bread rise.

Jesus celebrated Passover with his disciples in Jerusalem. In those days, the population of Jerusalem was about 100,000. But during Passover each year, nearly a half million Jewish pilgrims from all over the world filled Jerusalem.

This is the story that tells us about Jesus giving us the Eucharist. During this special meal, Jesus gives his body and blood to the disciples. Then he tells them to, "Do this in memory of me." The Church is still following Jesus' command today when we celebrate the Eucharist.

At supper, Jesus took bread in his hands. He gave thanks to God. Then he broke the bread into pieces. He gave the bread to his disciples. Jesus said, "This is my body."

Next Jesus took a cup of wine. He gave thanks to God. Then he passed the cup to his disciples. Jesus said, "This is my blood. It is poured out for you for the forgiveness of sins."

Jesus told his followers, "Do this in memory of me."

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"Do this in memory of me."
Based on Luke 22:19

Look for More in the Bible

Read about the Last Supper in the other gospels.
Matthew 26:20-30
Mark 14:17-26
John 13:21-30

Read Exodus 12 and 13:1-10.
Read about how the Passover feast began with the Israelites.