Jesus Institutes the Lord’s Supper
(Matt. 26:26–29; Luke 22:14–23; 1 Cor. 11:23–26 )
Mark 14:22-26 NKJV – 22 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke [it], and gave [it] to them and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” 23 Then He took the cup, and when He had given thanks He gave [it] to them, and they all drank from it. 24 And He said to them, “This is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many. 25 “Assuredly, I say to you, I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” 26 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
V22 “And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke [it], and gave [it] to them and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.”
Note that the text clearly states that Jesus took bread. When food is blessed by Jesus, the food becomes holy, safe, and approved. It also includes thankfulness. We are to always thank God for daily provisions (Matthew 6:11, Proverbs 30:8, and Acts 25:37). God blesses the food; we give the thanks to Him for His provision.
Jesus is teaching a principle here, namely that we need the spiritual food to feed our souls, give us strength, and to bear fruit. This food is reading and studying the Bible.
Jesus gave his body, the Passover Lamb, for those who have faith and trust in Jesus Christ alone (John 6:51). This is a reminder.
Wuest’s Word Studies adds: “Of course, we must understand these words like others of the same nature which Jesus uttered. He said, “I am the door of the sheep” (John 10:7). He did not mean that He was the literal, actual door or gate of the sheep fold, but that He as Saviour constituted the way whereby a sinner could enter into salvation. Just as the actual sheep gate pictured, illustrated, symbolized our Lord in His position and work as Saviour, so the bread symbolized Him as the spiritual nourishment upon which a sinner may feed and have eternal life.”
V23 “Then He took the cup, and when He had given thanks He gave [it] to them, and they all drank from it.”
He does the same with the cup of wine with the same principle. Jesus is the bread and drink of life, our spiritual life. It is an illustration.
Precept Austin on this verse: “And when He had taken a cup (poterion) and given thanks (eucharisteo) – This would have been the third cup of the Passover meal. The bread symbolized Jesus’ body and the cup symbolized Jesus’ blood. “This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood.”
Brian Bell: “Brian Bell – The Cup! The Passover requires 4 cups of wine (2 before the meal and 2 after) The cup of Sanctification; The cup of Instruction; The cup of Redemption; The cup of Praise. [Taken from Exodus 6:6, 7] The cup of wine that would have been raised during the meal that is now remembered when one commemorates “the Lord’s Supper” was the cup of redemption. This was when Jesus established the New Covenant in His own blood. It’s a New Covenant(20) – Sacred binding contract. (Jeremiah 31:31-34+)…In My blood (20) – Biblical covenants were always ratified by shed blood. After the cup of redemption, which commemorates God’s redemption of His people, comes the cup of praise. The cup of praise is the cup of wine that Jesus refused to drink from until the coming of His Father’s Kingdom! (see Luke 22:30).”
V24 “And He said to them, “This is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many.”
Jesus identifies the importance of blood. The shedding for many is because Jesus was sinless and did not need to die. He is a volunteer to procure salvation for any who believe in Him. See Hebrews 9:22, Isaiah 53:4-6, Isaiah 53:10-12, and John 1:29. The old covenant is the Mosaic Law which Israel agreed to obey and live (Exodus 24:3-8). This was repeatedly broken by Israel. It did not take away sin or give a clear conscience (Galatians 4:21-31 and Hebrews 7:11-28). God wanted a greater covenant, the new covenant, promised in Jeremiah 31:31-34. See Hebrews 8:7-13.
V25 “Assuredly, I say to you, I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”
Jesus will not drink any grape juice or wine until He establishes the Kingdom, which is the Millennium. Why did He take this vow? He wanted to wait until all was fulfilled, Israel saved (Romans 11:26), and the kingdom established. Then, there will be a victory feast (Revelation 19:9).
V26 “And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.”
What hymn was this? It would have been a Psalm.
IVP Background Commentary adds: “After the meal, it was customary to sing psalms from the Hallel, which consisted of Psalms 113–118. The walk to the Mount of Olives took at least fifteen minutes.”
Psalm 113-114 was before and the others after the meal.
Why is the New Covenant superior to the Old Covenant?
The Old covered sin, but did not cleanse the conscience.
The New justifies and cleans the conscience.
The Old was temporary to reveal sin and produce guilt.
The New is permanent to grant forgiveness of sins and eternal life.
The Guaranteer of the Old was present as long as Israel obeyed the Mosaic Law.
The Guaranteer of the New is alive and well in heaven at the right hand of God the Father.
In the Old, a sinner could not approach God without a sacrifice.
In the New, a sinner can approach God in faith anywhere.
We learn:
- Jesus was an observant Jew.
- The importance of the Passover Meal, now Communion, Lord’s Supper, etc.
- The beauty of the New Covenant
Questions:
- How do you remember the ministry of our Lord Jesus on the Cross and His resurrection?
- Why is the New Covenant superior to the Old Covenant?