Matthew 26:26-30 26Now as they were eating, after taking bread and blessing it, Jesus broke it and after giving it to the disciples, he said, “Take, eat, this is my body.” 27And after taking a cup and giving thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” 30And after they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
In the middle of the Passover meal, Jesus took the cup and bread and used them to help his disciples understand in a vivid way the significance of what he was about to do. Jesus took the matzah bread and symbolically tore it in two and offered the pieces to his disciples. The bread represented his body which would be broken on a Roman cross. He gave himself up to death so that we might have life. He took the sins of the world upon himself. When we eat the communion bread, we can taste the wonderful flavor (especially if it is fresh) and be reminded of this first meal so long ago. We can picture ourselves reclining with Jesus around the Passover table with him. But deeper down, as we eat the bread, we find spiritual nourishment because our faith is drawn to his sacrifice in our behalf. Our hearts should be full of thanksgiving, especially since we do not have to face the consequences of our sin and disobedience against God. We can experience forgiveness and live in the hope of eternal life.
Jesus took the cup of wine and added further significance to his teaching. Many interpreters suggest that this was the third cup of the Seder meal, the cup of redemption. As we drink this cup today, we are reminded of the blood of Jesus shed for us. Blood represented the life of a person. Jesus gave his life so that we might have life. God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself. The supreme act of God’s grace was Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross that transforms us and brings us from darkness into his marvelous light and allows us to be the children of God. Jesus bridges the old covenant and the new hope he offers with his statement about the cup representing the covenant. Both Luke (Luke 22:20) and Paul (1 Corinthians 11:25) add the word “new” to Jesus’ statement, thus making the connection with the old covenant and its fulfillment even clearer. Ancient covenants were often ratified by the sacrifice of an animal. Jesus’ death on the cross ratified God’s new covenant with humanity in fulfillment of Jeremiah 31:31.
Jesus was giving his disciples a big clue that his death would bring about a new relationship with God. The Law and the Prophets prepared for this moment. The disciples of all ages can relive that moment in the future whenever they gather together in this sacred meal in remembrance and celebration. Significantly, Jesus included every one of his disciples, even Judas. It is unclear when Judas left for the chief priests and elders. John 13:30 indicates that Judas left after receiving a morsel of bread, but since John does not record the breaking of bread and drinking from the cup, we cannot know if Judas heard these words from Jesus. Judas still had time and opportunity to repent, but his mind was made up.
This would be the last Passover Jesus shared with his disciples. The Passover would now be fulfilled for all time. God would “passover” the sins of those who put their trust in Jesus’ saving act on the cross. Jesus would not share in this special drink with his disciples until the great wedding feast of the Lamb when he comes in power as the almighty King of kings and Lord of lords. When the kingdom comes in power, there will be a great celebration. Our questions will be answered. Our faith will be rewarded with the real and not just symbolic presence of Jesus. We will get to join these first disciples in recognition and thankfulness of Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection.
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