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Fresh Start Devotionals

Fickle What was the mood in the upper room at the Last Supper? When I close my eyes and try to imagine the evening, all I can see is da Vinci’s painting. (Why did they all sit on the same side of the table?) My art critique aside, I would imagine it was a very serious evening. Jesus dramatically showed His heart as he knelt down to wash the disciples’ feet. An amazing demonstration of servant-leadership. After supper, the scripture says they sang a hymn and went out into the evening. But then what? What did they do after spending spiritual, intimate time with Jesus? On the Mount of Olives, Jesus entered into the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. He asked a simple request of his friends: “Pray for me.” Instead, they went to sleep. Everyone, that is, except Judas. He went to town and rounded up some of his friends. When he saw Jesus, he gave Him a kiss. In the upper room, with the others he said, “Surely not I, Lord?” I won’t betray you. But he did betray Jesus. His betrayal was especially bitter because he did it with a kiss-a sign of intimate friendship. Simon Peter pledged he would die for Jesus before he denied Him. But then a little servant girl made an innocent comment to Peter, “You were with Him.” Instead of admitting his association with Jesus, Peter denied that the knew Him-not once, but three times. What impact did the Last Supper have on the participants? The disciples went to sleep instead of praying for Him. Judas betrayed Jesus, and Peter denied that he even knew Jesus. Fellowship with Jesus does not guarantee loyalty to Him. It takes more than that. “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” Matthew 16:24 KJV Jim L. Wilson, Fresh Start Devotionals (Fresno, CA: Willow City Press, 2009).

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