The article “the” is a must when one refers to the final supper Jesus had with His disciples. Without “the,” it could refer to any last supper one had yesterday or with others.
“The last supper” is so essential that all churches anchored on faith in Jesus re-enact it in holy worship as a vital sacrament (a ceremony regarded as imparting divine grace).
Here’s how Scripture describes that event (1 Corinthians 11:23-26):
“The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.’
“In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”
There is a caveat in verses 27 to 29:
“So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. For . . . without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves.”
People in our predominantly Christian country are familiar with Leonardo da Vinci's 15th-century mural (at the refectory of the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan, Italy). In fact, many dining room walls have a picture of this painting.
May we then never forget that He gave His body and blood for our sins, so we could ask for forgiveness when we do wrong.
"The Lord’s Supper," our pastor always reminds us, "is also a time to be in communion, not only with God, but also with all members of Christ’s family to find comfort and support, just as the disciples did."
Photo credit: https://news.artnet.com/art-world/true-hidden-message-da-vinci-last-supper-581756
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