The table was piled with delicious food. Our friends were gathered around it. The feeling of camaraderie was matched only by the heaviness of impending goodbyes. Finally, we each prepared to leave, knowing it was the last time we would all be together. Some were headed for the other side of the ocean, some for the other side of the country. We made small talk as we got our coats and belongings. One friend carried things to his car so he could come back and help his wife with their baby. In the few minutes he was gone, the mood of the group shifted from feigned lightheartedness to outright tears. When he came back into the house and saw all of us crying, he was shocked and asked naively, “What happened?! Everything was alright when I left!”
When have you had a goodbye meal? Those memories stir up some pretty strong emotions, don’t they? As you meditate during this season of Lent on the Lord’s goodbye supper, put yourself at his table. Revel in his care. His tenderness, his kindness.

Jesus knew all the awful things that he would have to suffer in just a couple of hours but his thoughts were for his friends.
“Having loved his own, he loved them to the end.” John 13:1
“I’ve been very eager to eat this meal with you before my suffering begins.” Luke 22:14

He gave each one personal attention. Tenderly going from man to man, he humbly knelt and washed their dirty feet. He used it as a teaching moment to demonstrate the way of happiness- service to others.
“He…washed the disciples’ feet… I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. . .Now that you know these things, you will be happy if you do them.” John 13:5,15,17

While sitting at the table with them, he lovingly warned them that they would run away when things got bad, but he would welcome them back.
“I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22:32
“All of you will desert me. For the Scriptures say, ‘God will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’  But after I am raised from the dead, I will go ahead of you to Galilee and meet you there.” Mark 14:27-28 referencing Zechariah 13:7

Jesus gently prepared them to face the events that would shake them to the core since he would no longer be their constant human companion.
“I tell you this beforehand, so that when it happens you will believe that I AM has come.” John 13:19 from Exodus 3:14
“Dear children, I will be with you only a little longer.” John 13:33
“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.” John 14:1
“I have told you these things so that you won’t abandon your faith.” John 16:1
“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”  John 16:33

He gave them precious promises for them to cling to during the difficult times ahead.
“When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.” John 14:3
“I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate,(Comforter, or Encourager, or Counselor) who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth.” John 14:16-17
“Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. You didn’t choose me. I chose you.” John 15:15-16
“There is so much more I want to tell you, but you can’t bear it now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth.” John 16:12-13
“I now grant you the right to eat and drink at my table in my Kingdom.” Luke 22:29

Jesus gave his friends the secrets of happiness. He explained that they could be happy like he is. The path of happiness is counterintuitive. It leads through sorrowful circumstances. It requires selflessness and service. We can follow the footprints of our Shepherd since he has gone ahead of us and shown us the way of true happiness.
“I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my happiness. Yes, your gladness will overflow! This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you.” John 15:9-12

Jesus acknowledged their emotions. He didn’t ignore their hurt, nor did he tell them to buck up and swallow their sorrow. He validated their feelings, but gave them wonderful hope to shine into their grief.
“you grieve because of what I’ve told you. But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate (Counselor, Comforter, Encourager) won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you.” John 16:6-7
“you will weep and mourn over what is going to happen to me, but the world will rejoice. You will grieve, but your grief will suddenly turn to wonderful joy.” John 16:20
“So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will be glad, and no one can rob you of that happiness.” John 16:22
“I told them many things while I was with them in this world so they would be filled up with my happiness. I have given them your word.” John 17:13-14
“Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began!” John 17:24

Jesus protected his friends while he was on earth and continues to protect us who believe.
“During my time here, I protected them by the power of the name you gave me. I guarded them so that not one was lost, except the one headed for destruction [Judas], as the Scriptures foretold.” John 17:12
“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message.” John 17:20
“And since I am the one you want, let these others go.”  He did this to fulfill his own statement: “I did not lose a single one of those you have given me.”  Jesus to the soldiers who came to arrest him in John 18:8-9

Let’s take heart that no matter how we mess up, and how dark our circumstances are, Jesus understands, forgives, and protects his beloved friends.