Share A Meal And Hope!

April 2, 2026

Share A Meal And Hope!

This week is often called “Holy Week.”  It begins on Sunday (last Sunday) with a parade into the city of Jerusalem.  Jesus enters the city as a new kind of king; a suffering servant, a dying Savior, a seemingly powerless God!

On Thursday evening, Jesus shares a Passover Meal with the disciples.  It is a simple meal which Jesus uses to point to his own sacrifice, suffering, and death as well as the grace, mercy, and provision of the Lord God.  Following the meal, Jesus is arrested and the disciples retreat in fear.

Friday marks the day Jesus died on a cross.  There are 40 lashes, unstopping ridicule, and questions about why the Son of God would choose to die.

On Sunday, Jesus is raised from death to life.  The Risen Christ presents Himself to some women near a garden tomb as well as most of the disciples who are staying in someone’s house.  Jesus completes the full cycle; Jesus lives, Jesus dies, and Jesus lives again!

Holy Week is a week of special focus in which we draw nearer to our Savior Jesus by remembering who He is and all that He has done to bring us closer to His heart.

On this Thursday during Holy Week, I encourage you to focus on what is often called “The Last Supper” that Jesus shares with the disciples.  I have included the description of the meal from the Gospel of Luke.

In Luke 22:14-20 we hear; “When the hour came, he took his place at the table, and the apostles with him.  He said to them, ‘I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer, for I tell you, I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.’  Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he said, ‘Take this and divide it among yourselves, for I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.’  Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks he broke it and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body, which is given for you.  Do this in remembrance of me.’  And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.’”

Today, Christians still do what Jesus said to do during that meal.  We gather to share in the loaf and the cup as a way to remember the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.  One of the special times to share this meal is on the Thursday before Easter.  Maybe you could find a church that is serving what is called, “Holy Communion,” “The Last Supper,” or the “Eucharist.”  Take time to remember what Jesus has done for you!

The meal Jesus shared (and wants us to share!) is about more than the loaf and the cup.  The meal is about the person in whom we place our trust and in whom we find our hope.  In I Peter 1:21 we hear; “Through him (Jesus) you have come to trust in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your trust and hope are in God.”

+I trust in the power of Jesus’ love for me on the cross so I have the hope of forgiveness of my sins.

+I trust in the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross so I have the hope of a restored relationship with my Heavenly Father.

+I trust in the death of Jesus on the cross so I have the hope of Jesus with me each day and living with Jesus in heaven.

I invite you to remind a friend who is struggling or is in deep trouble right now that there is hope when we trust in Jesus.  Invite your friend to shift their focus from their struggle to praising God for the small blessings as well as the answers to their prayers. 

Share with your friend the word of hope in Psalm 42.  In Psalm 42:11 we hear; “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me?  Hope in God, for I shall again praise him, my help and my God.”

Something as simple as sharing the loaf and the cup reminds the disciples as well as you and me that Jesus brings a new covenant, a new arrangement, and a new life to those who trust Him with all their heart, mind, and soul.

Take Delight In The Lord!

Doug