Holy Thursday | Last Supper & Jesus In Garden Of Gethsemane

From the devotional study in Redeemed by the Cross – A Devotional for Lent/Easter

Holy Thursday is one of the most sacred and solemn days in Holy Week—the Thursday evening before Jesus was crucified. This night is tender, heavy, and holy. It’s a turning point in the story of redemption. Jesus gathers with His disciples for the Last Supper, shares a final meal filled with love, prophecy, and parting words, and then walks into the darkness of the garden of Gethsemane to pray.

In Redeemed by the Cross, my Lent/Easter devotional available on Amazon and in the Scriptural Grace digital Bible study shop, we explore this powerful passage from Mark 14:12–41. It invites us to slow down and reflect on the depth of Jesus’ obedience and love. From the breaking of bread to the breaking of His heart in the garden, Jesus shows us what it means to surrender fully to the Father.

As we follow Him tonight—into the Upper Room and then into the Garden—may our hearts be softened and our spirits stirred. May we remember the cost of grace and respond with worship, surrender, and love.

Holy Thursday last supper and jesus in the garden of gethsemane blog post

Holy Thursday | Last Supper & Jesus In The Garden Of Gethsemane

Read Mark 14:12-41 (NIV):

On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, when it was customary to sacrifice the Passover lamb, Jesus’ disciples asked him, “Where do you want us to go and make preparations for you to eat the Passover?”

13 So he sent two of his disciples, telling them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. 14 Say to the owner of the house he enters, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 15 He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.”

16 The disciples left, went into the city and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover.

17 When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve. 18 While they were reclining at the table eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me—one who is eating with me.”

19 They were saddened, and one by one they said to him, “Surely you don’t mean me?”

20 “It is one of the Twelve,” he replied, “one who dips bread into the bowl with me. 21 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.”

22 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take it; this is my body.”

23 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it.

24 “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them. 25 “Truly I tell you, I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”

26 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial

27 “You will all fall away,” Jesus told them, “for it is written:

“‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’

28 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”

29 Peter declared, “Even if all fall away, I will not.”

30 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “today—yes, tonight—before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times.”

31 But Peter insisted emphatically, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the others said the same.

Gethsemane

32 They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33 He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. 34 “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.”

35 Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. 36 “Abba,[d] Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”

37 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Simon,” he said to Peter, “are you asleep? Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour? 38 Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

39 Once more he went away and prayed the same thing. 40 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to him.

41 Returning the third time, he said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners.

It is Thursday of Holy Week, the night before Jesus' crucifixion.

Jesus gathers with His disciples for the Last Supper, a meal filled with love, prophecy, and farewell. He breaks the bread and shares the cup, instituting the New Covenant through His body and blood. It is time for the bitter act of Jesus's betrayal to unfold. Judas Iscariot slips out from the Last Supper and acts out his role in Jesus's betrayal.

The Last Supper

After the meal, Jesus leads them to Gethsemane, where He prays in deep agony, knowing what is about to unfold.

This night is a turning point in history. The cross is near, but Jesus willingly walks toward it—for us.

As Jesus shares the Passover meal, He transforms it into a new covenant:

“This is my body, which is given for you; do this in remembrance

of me.” (Luke 22:19)

“This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.” (Mark 14:24)

The bread represents His body, broken for us.
The wine represents His blood, shed for our forgiveness.

Jesus is the true Passover Lamb whose sacrifice brings salvation.

Each time we take communion, we remember the cost of grace.

Holy Thursday last supper and jesus in garden of gethsemane

Jesus In The Garden Of Gethsemane: A Night of Surrender

After supper, Jesus enters the Garden of Gethsemane—His

final moments before arrest.

“My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.” (Mark 14:34)

Jesus prays in deep distress, fully aware of the suffering ahead.

He pleads, “Abba, Father, take this cup from me.” Yet, He submits to God’s will.

Meanwhile, His disciples fall asleep, unaware of the weight of this moment.

Devotional

Jesus was broken and poured out for you. Have you surrendered your life fully to Him?

Imagine sitting at the Last Supper. How would you feel hearing Jesus speak of His betrayal and sacrifice?

Now, picture yourself in the garden. Would you stay awake and pray, or would you struggle like the disciples?

Are you willing to say, “Not my will, but Yours be done,” in your own life?

Lent & Easter Journey

Holy Week is reaching its climax. Tonight, we witness the depth of Jesus’ love and His willingness to surrender for us.

Lent has been a season of preparation—of drawing near to God, surrendering our hearts, and walking step by step with Jesus.

As we prepare for Good Friday, we remember that Jesus chose obedience out of love.

Have you taken time to surrender your heart fully to Christ this Lent?

Challenge

Spend time reflecting on Jesus’ sacrifice and your response to it.

Take communion today, remembering His body and blood.
Pray as Jesus did—honestly and fully surrendered to God’s will.
Read Isaiah 53, meditating on what Jesus endured for you.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, tonight I remember the meal You shared with Your disciples, the cup You lifted, and the prayers You prayed in the garden. Thank You for choosing obedience to the Father, even when it meant suffering. Teach me to surrender my will, just as You did. I want to live for You. In Your precious name, Amen.

Further Study

Luke 22:19-20 – “Do this in remembrance of Me.”

John 13:12-17 – Jesus washes the disciples’ feet as an act of love and service.

Hebrews 5:7-9 – Jesus’ obedience in suffering brings our salvation.

Philippians 2:8 – “He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross.”

Isaiah 53:3-7 – The prophecy of the Suffering Servant.

Redeemed By The Cross - Lent/Easter Devotional Study for Women

You can get the full 43-day devotional in one place by purchasing the book on Amazon or grabbing the PDF version here. It’s a beautiful way to prepare your heart and reflect deeply on the meaning of the cross and resurrection. It comes with plenty of space to journal and prayer prompts!

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Let’s walk this Holy Week together—each day bringing us prayerfully closer to the cross... and to the empty tomb.

Tomorrow, we will consider the events of Day 6 – Good Friday - Jesus’ Trial and Crucifixion.

Holy Week Devotionals:

Day 1 – Palm Sunday - The King Has Come!
Day 2 – Monday - Jesus Weeps For Jerusalem.
Day 3 – Tuesday - The Mystery of the Fig Tree.
Day 4 – Wednesday - The Authority of Jesus.
Day 5 – Maundy Thursday - The Last Supper & Gethsemane.
Day 6 – Good Friday - Jesus’ Trial and Crucifixion.
Day 7 – Holy Saturday - The Silence of Saturday.
Day 8 – Resurrection Sunday - He Is Risen!

Scriptural Grace

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