The Lord’s Supper Instituted: Matthew 26:26-30
“26) While they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after a blessing, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” 27) And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; 28) for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins. 29) But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.” 30) After singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.” Matthew 26:26-30
Jesus used the Passover meal to institute the Lord’s Supper. He took a piece of bread from the meal and broke it saying; “Take, eat, this is my body which is broken for you.” Then He reached down and took the cup of wine and gave thanks, then He said; “Drink from it, all of you; for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.”
In doing this, Jesus tied His work on the cross to the Passover meal. He was saying; “I am The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” (John 1:29) His work on the cross was about to set people free from sin and slavery. The judgement of death for the sins of humanity was soon to be poured out on Him. He became the sacrificial lamb.
With this act, Jesus tied Himself to the Passover, the Exodus and eventually the conquest of the Promised Land. These Bible stories are a wealth of spiritual insight and principles for the Christian life. Salvation through faith in Jesus Christ launches the believer into their own Exodus from the old life of sin and bondage and into a life long conquest of entering into their new spiritual promised land “in Christ.” When developing this analogy, the Old Testament comes alive with unfathomable treasures of revelation and knowledge about Jesus Christ and the Christian life.
Verse 30 is also significant. Jesus and His disciples closed the Passover meal by singing a hymn. One might wonder what a group of former fishermen, tax gatherers and blue collar workers sounded like, but this men’s chorus resonated through heaven. It was most likely one of the Messianic Psalms put to music. A relationship with Jesus Christ puts a new song in your heart.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
