The Last Supper
As they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take and eat it; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks, he gave it to them and said, “Drink from it, all of you. For this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. But I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” After singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. —Matthew 26:26–30 CSB
To truly understand the significance of what is taking place here, we need to turn back the pages of Scriptures to get some historical context.
The First
Let’s not forget what Jesus and His disciples are in the middle of — they are eating the Passover meal. A meal, instituted over 1400 years before Jesus sits down to eat this meal with His disciples.
The book of Exodus, located within the Torah (first 5 books of Bible), recounts the incredible rescue of the Jewish people from Egyptian slavery.
Mosaic
Following their escape from Egypt, God leads the people the base of Mount Sinai, where He begins the process of turning a group of slaves into a nation.
Moses went up the mountain to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain: “This is what you must say to the house of Jacob and explain to the Israelites: ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now if you will carefully listen to me and keep my covenant, you will be my own possession out of all the peoples, although the whole earth is mine, and you will be my kingdom of priests and my holy nation.’ These are the words that you are to say to the Israelites.” —Exodus 19:3–6 CSB
Before Israel leaves Sinai, they will have everything needed to function as a nation—except the land itself.
After Moses came back, he summoned the elders of the people and set before them all these words that the Lord had commanded him. Then all the people responded together, “We will do all that the Lord has spoken.” So Moses brought the people’s words back to the Lord. —Exodus 19:7–8 CSB
Yet, here’s what God knew about the nation of Israel — and you and I today… we wouldn’t live up to the agreement. We over promise and under deliver.
So, God setup a way for the Israelites to BOTH to get right with Him AND know that they were right with Him.
A
Covenant
When Jesus and His disciples sat down to eat the Passover meal, this is the system/covenant they were remembering — a system that traced its roots all the way back to the sacrificed lamb and blood painted on the door posts.
Now, using elements from the meal that pointed to this ancient covenant, Jesus would begin laying out a brand new covenant.
- The blood would no longer point to a lamb sacrificed year after year in order to be right with God, BUT TO THE LAMB SLAIN BEFORE THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE WORLD.
- The bread would no longer be a reminder of their haste to flee Egyptian slavery, BUT TO THE OFFERING OF THE BODY OF JESUS — ONCE FOR ALL TIME — TO SET US FREE AND MAKE US HOLY.
By this will, we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all time. Every priest stands day after day ministering and offering the same sacrifices time after time, which can never take away sins. But this man, after offering one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God. He is now waiting until his enemies are made his footstool. For by one offering he has perfected forever those who are sanctified. —Hebrews 10:10–14 CSB
When you and I choose to come, to accept what Christ has done on our behalf, we too are invited to partake of this Holy ordinance — to remember the body broken and blood shed for us.
1) Remember Your
Our forgiveness is not based on the old covenant of trying to work our way to God, of trying to obey, so that we deserve it. But it’s based on the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross.
2) Remember Your
When God’s people, all over the world, take this meal, we are all saying to one another, “We share in Christ. We are one body in Christ.”
3) Remember Your
But I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” —Matthew 26:29 CSB
The Lord’s Supper is not just a sad time where we remember the sacrifice of Jesus, it should also be mixed with joy and hope, because Jesus is coming again, to receive us to Himself, so that where He is we can also be.