26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”
27 Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father's kingdom.”
30 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
In our verses for today, Christ instituted something new in the Passover feast - the great Gospel ordinance of the Lord’s Supper. The being and significance of this sacrament was and is Divine for its origin and purpose was appointed by the Lord Jesus. It stood and stands as a visible sermon proclaiming the message of the cross of Christ and serves as a continual reminder for future followers of the sacrifice Jesus paid for our sins. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians:
23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 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.” 25 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.” 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. 1 Cor 11:23-26 (NIV)
“Chief of sinners though I be, Jesus shed His blood for me; Died that I might live on high, Died that I might never die; As the branch is to the vine, I am His, and He is mine. O the height of Jesus’ love! Higher than the Heaven above; Deeper than the deepest sea, Lasting as eternity; Love that found me – wondrous thought! Found me when I sought Him not! Chief of sinners though I be, Christ is all in all to me; All my wants to Him are known, All my sorrows are His own; Safe with Him from earthly strife, He sustains the hidden life.” William McComb
The old Mosaic Covenant was being ushered out and the new covenant was being ushered in. While the crucifixion had not yet taken place, it was as if it were accomplished therefore Christ establishes what is to be done in remembrance of the event until His sure return. Jesus was about to offer Himself one time for all time, on one cross for all people. By His Own blood He obtained eternal redemption for all who would put their trust in Him.
“We have a God who loves. That means that we have a God who suffers.” J. B. Phillips
We discover in our verses, in what appears a solemn action, the Lord took the bread and, as was always His custom, gave thanks and broke it. This action was symbolic of His body broken for us. It is significant as well that He uses bread as He had called Himself the Bread of Life. The physical life is supported by bread and so too the spiritual life which is supported and maintained by Christ – the everlasting satisfaction - the Bread of Life:
35 Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.” John 6:35 (NIV)
Jesus gives the broken bread to His disciples saying: “Take and eat; this is my body.” This indicates we must individually accept His atonement for our sins, approve of it and consent to it. Believing in Christ is expressed as receiving Him:
11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-- 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. John 1:11-13 (NIV)
Next, our Lord takes the cup and again gives thanks to the Father before offering it to His guys demonstrating to us that every part of this new ordinance was to have our eyes fixed with gratefulness upon God. He states His blood would be poured out for many – as it would be the propitiation for the sins of the whole world:
2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. 1 John 2:2 (NIV)
“O Jesus, blest Redeemer, Sent from the heart of God, Hold us, who wait before Thee, Near to the heart of God.” Cleland B. McAfee
Lastly, our Lord states He will not drink of this fruit of the vine again until we are at last all together in His Father’s kingdom. This was the “joy set before Him” that Hebrews 12 attests to – Jesus longingly looks forward to the day when His bride – the Church – and He will all be communing in the kingdom. What a glorious thought for us as well!
2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Heb 12:2-3 (NIV)