Jesus is the Host: Matthew 26.26-35

Although the last Passover that Jesus ate with his disciples was in a rented room, Jesus still served as the host. Technically the owner of the home, or a representative of the owner would have served as the host. However, Jesus cared for the needs and comfort of his disciples.


He even washed their feet (cf. John 13), even though they had likely already been washed by the owner of the house or a servant of the owner. Jesus was held in high esteem by his disciples and other followers. This is why the apostles protested that Jesus should wash them. Yet Jesus was determined to show hospitality to those at his dinner.

We often think of Jesus as the "Guest of Honor" at the Last Supper, but in fact he was not a guest at all. Jesus was showing care and concern for meeting the needs and desires of his disciples, and consequently our desires and needs.


Here is what Jesus the host did...

1. Jesus took the bread. It was Jesus who took the lead in the celebration of the Passover Seder celebration. Only the host can take this position.
2. Jesus blessed the bread. This is a great reminder for every aspect of our lives. We should not only be praying God's blessings on our meals, but also on every part of our existence. We should be thanking God for what he has done in the past and committing the future to him.
3. Jesus broke the bread. By breaking the bread Jesus was prophetically showing how his end would come. His body, the bread of God, would be broken for us. And by the brokenness of Christ, we can be sure that we will be made whole.
4. Jesus gave the bread. The bread was given to everyone at the table. No one, not even the sinners, were excluded. Jesus loves all people and wants them all to participate in his salvific work.