26 As they were eating, Jesus took some bread and blessed it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take this and eat it, for this is my body.”

27 And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them and said, “Each of you drink from it, 28 for this is my blood, which confirms the covenant[ d ] between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many. 29 Mark my words—I will not drink wine again until the day I drink it new with you in my Father’s Kingdom.”

30 Then they sang a hymn and went out to the Mount of Olives.

Matthew 26:26-30 (NLT) 中文

Backdrop

Judas Iscariot has been exposed as the betrayer among the disciples who will turn Jesus over to the Jewish leaders. Their intent is to kill Him and end His influence. What they don’t know is that they are fulfilling prophecy. They read the Scriptures but ignore these prophecies about the Messiah. But it doesn’t stop God’s plan.

Lord’s supper

The time is at hand to celebrate the Passover dinner together. Passover was (and still is) a special meal to remember the Jew’s exodus from Egypt by God’s mighty hand. In every Christian church, communion is celebrated at least once a month; some do weekly. It presents the bread and wine as significant symbols that represent the body and blood of Jesus.

What is believed about the Lord’s supper varies. But churches that believe God’s Word is, well, His Word all believe that Christians should celebrate it regularly, together, to remember and give thanks for the Passover Lamb that was sacrificed for us, for our sin. “Jesus also turns the focus of the whole celebration on himself. Instead of focusing on the lamb—the focus of the Passover meal [Exod 12:3–11, 21–23, 43–49; Deut 16:2, 5–7]—Jesus speaks of his body and blood: “My body” (26:26) and “my blood” (26:28).” (TGC)

My body

Jesus first took bread, blessed it, then broke it and gave it to the disciples. Jesus calls it, “my body”. What image does this conjure up in your mind? For me, it’s the miraculous feeding of the multitudes (Matthew 14:15-21). He gave bread for the physical life of the multitude. With His body, He gives spiritual life. Jesus is the Word made flesh (John 1:14). The intangible became tangible to give the intangible.

My blood

Then He took the shared cup of wine and called it, “My blood of the covenant” (ESV). His blood creates a new covenant (binding agreement) between man and God. God forgives sin and receives man into a relationship with Him for eternity. Man confesses and believes.

Yet again…

“Jesus looked forward to a future celebration of the Passover in heaven, one that He has not yet celebrated with His people. He is waiting for all His people to be gathered to Him, and then there will be a great supper – the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:9).” (enduringword.com)

RЯeflection

• Do we give proper attention to the importance of Communion? Oftentimes it is crammed into an already full church service and rushed through to “check the box”. Take time to consider its significance. 

• I find it interesting that Judas also took the bread and cup. So it is clear that following a command or tradition does not save us. Even baptism does not save us as some believe. Salvation is only by grace through faith in Christ. Click here to learn more.