Darkness filled the heart of one
as Passover drew near
When the High Priests and the scholars
began to feel the fear ~
As evil swept through the soul
betrayal by a kiss
A payment for transgressions that
he would soon witness.

Plans were made in secret
deceit to be revealed
A promise that would hail him
as if he had surely killed ~
Then returning to the twelve
to sup with the man
That he would be betraying
with the money-changing hands.

Upon the Feast of Unleavened Bread
a holy and sacred day
A meal prepared in a borrowed room
and a lamb that would be slain ~
Protection with the sign of blood
passing by the Jews
Upon the windows of the hearts
the blessings of His Truth.

When the time had come to feast
Jesus turned to them
"How I've longed this Passover
to be with you, my friends ~
Before my time of suffering
this last meal that we share
Until we eat together
in the Kingdom that's prepared."

He held a cup within His hand
and blessing it He said,
"Drink this now among you"
as He then broke the bread ~
"This is My body given for you
take it in memory;
Do this, my friends, as I have done
in remembrance of me."

With the cup after the feast
He said "This is My blood
Which has been poured out for you;
but still the hand of one
Seated now at this meal
is going to betray
The Son of Man, who'll surely go
just as the prophets say."

The disciples turn to question,
which one will it will be?
Disputing who would come out best
but then Jesus intervened ~
"Which would you then rather be,
the one who eats or serves?
I tell you now I took my place
with you here on earth ~

And you've been with me throughout my trials
just as I will be for you
As a kingdom of authority
will strengthen you in truth ~
Peter, Satan will try many times
to separate you from me
But I've prayed for you not to give in,
in faith you will be free."

"Lord, I will go where you go"
Peter then confessed
"I am ready to go to prison
and even to the death" ~
But Jesus answered steadily
"Before the rooster crows,
You surely will deny three times
that it is me you know."

Sadly Peter hung his head
as Jesus looked around
His twelve disciples have followed
the love in Him they found ~
But it is written in ancient days
that soon the Son of Man
Would surely die in suffering
by His own people's hands.

And so a dark night came to them
as Jesus went to pray
Satan showed himself to him
throwing seeds of doubt His way ~
But Jesus would not be tempted
as He crushed the serpent's head,
The painful truth just knowing
that He'll die for man instead.

Returning to His disciples
where He found them asleep
Urging them to fervently pray
from temptation they will keep ~
When in the stillness of the night
a crowd led by Judas
Approached Him as Jesus asked,
"You betray me with a kiss?"

Just hours before at a table
the Passover they had shared
Jesus and His disciples
thouh none had been aware ~
All except the Son of Man
who had surely known
That Judas would betray Him
and Peter would disown.

Even when they tried and judged
what should then be His fate
Jesus knew that even now
it never is too late ~
He bore the pain upon His flesh
He felt within the wounds
And carried all the sins and shame;
He did it all for you.

"Crucify! Crucify!"
all the crowd did cheer
And even then His love for us
was reverently clear ~
Teaching us that final night
to honour His memory,
"Take the bread and this cup
in remembrance of me".

The last supper with the Lord
shared with us on earth
A promise of His kingdom
that is written in His Word ~
His blessings are for all of us
for all eternity.
For it wasn't the nails that held Him there
but His love for you and me.

© Christina
31st March, 2004