He Gives Himself to You

Tonight we remember Jesus’ Last Supper. In John (13:1) we read that “He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end.” This makes Jesus seem so real to me. I think it is one of the greatest things that could be said about a person when reflecting on a person’s life, and this is what John wants us to know about Jesus. Jesus loved His people, all the way to the end.

Everything Jesus did, in His life and in His death, He did with love for the Father and love for each one of us. We are Jesus’ people. He carried the cross for the entire world and suffered death to conquer death and to redeem us from our sin. God loves us and wants us to be with Him in heaven forever.

Sometimes we doubt, or we feel too sinful, or we live in fear and don’t trust in the Lord, etc. Sometimes we don’t feel like we belong at Jesus’ table, that we don’t deserve to break bread with Him and accept His promises because we feel unworthy.

Well, it’s not about being worthy. God gives His grace to us not because we deserve it, but because He loves us.

Think back to the Last Supper. Jesus shared the Eucharist with all the Apostles, even though He knew that within a few hours, one would betray Him (Judas), one would deny Him three times (Peter), and all of them, except for John, would go into hiding out of fear. Additionally, within a few days, one would doubt that He was risen (Thomas). Jesus knew all of this, and yet He still chose them, loved them, served them, and shared with them. He asked them to imitate Him in service and to be leaders: “I have given you a model to follow, so that I have done for you, you should also do” (John 13:15).

Jesus offers Himself to us knowing that we are limited human beings who are all sinners. He knows that there will be times that we will fail Him. But He hopes in us and He loves us. He never wants us to be separated from Him; it is through Him that we gain eternal life. Jesus gave Himself to us because He loves us and He wants us to be with him forever.

If you were sitting at His table, He would lovingly offer Himself to you.