Sharing Bread Matthew 26:51-54

SHARING BREAD

⁵¹ With that, one of Jesus' companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.

⁵² “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. ⁵³ Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? ⁵⁴ But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?”

Matt 26:51-54 (NIV)

There is only one version of the Truth.  Truth will stand when everything else falls by the wayside.  Wisdom (Truth) is proved right by her actions.  Jesus is the Truth – He is also the Way and the Life btw.  He came to fulfill all righteousness – to fulfill all prophecy of the suffering Servant.  Our Lord would become a prisoner to set us at liberty and those Jesus frees are free indeed.  Luke records Christ’s Words quoting from Isaiah:

³⁷ “It is written: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors’; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment.”   Luke 22:37 (NIV)

 

Indeed, the word translated “must” in verse fifty-four of our verses for today is from the Greek word “Dei” meaning:  “must, necessary by the nature of things; an unavoidable, urgent, compulsory necessity.”  Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible – New Testament Lexical Aids.   What God says is flawless and reliable.  You can take His Word to the bank.  Scripture states of Scripture:

 

⁶ And the words of the LORD are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay, purified seven times.   Psalms 12:6 (NIV)

 

⁵ “Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. ⁶ Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar.”  Prov 30:5-6 (NIV)

 

Paul tells his beloved Timothy the following regarding the profitability and preciousness of the Word as it is God-breathed:

 

¹⁶ All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, ¹⁷ so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.  2 Tim 3:16-17 (NIV)

 

“The promises of God are just as good as ready money any day.”   Billy Bray

 

We are told in our verses today that one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword and cut the ear off of the servant of the high priest.  John tells us in his Gospel that it was zealous Pete who distinguished himself on this occasion.  Perhaps intending to cut off his head, Peter slices his adversary’s ear instead.  No doubt, Pete had great zeal for Christ’s honor and safety yet it was zeal apart from full knowledge and not guided by discretion.  Our cause (motive) must not only be good but our call (God’s will for our lives) clear before we take up the sword or delve into any of life’s decisions for that matter.  Jesus rebuked him telling him to put his sword back and we find in Luke that our Lord immediately healed the servant’s ear.  How like sweet Jesus!  I wonder what that servant thought about the Lord after his healing.

 

There is a lesson for us to be learned here.  Sometimes in my excitement and zeal I run ahead attempting to do things that sound good but are perhaps not the best.  How often our best gets shunned for the mere good!  Waiting on the call when the cause seems correct can be difficult for the impetuous at heart.  Jesus has a way of gently rebuking or stopping the action yet the time and energy remain invested in ways that are perhaps not as redeeming.  And, as the days are evil, that is an important point.  Learning to wait on the Master for His guidance and directives, listening for His still small voice amidst the loudness of this world before I proceed is not a waste of time rather it is a necessity.  This will also save me from many slip ups and sorrows.  I am reminded of King David’s Words in Psalm 27:

 

¹³ I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
¹⁴ Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.   Psalms 27:13-14 (NIV)

      

“The Holy Spirit has promised to lead us step by step into the fullness of truth.”   Leon Suenens

“Work designed for eternity can only be done by the eternal Spirit.”  A. W. Tozer

“We should always keep Christ before our eyes.  The devil continually tempts us to abandon Christ and seek the Father, saying to ourselves, ‘This or that will please him’.  Meanwhile we ignore Christ—the One the Father sent—so that we might listen to Him alone.  We respond as the Pharisees did and reject Christ.  We wonder, ‘Where is the Father?’   That is the question that world asks.  This is the greatest temptation to your faith.  You must devote yourself to the Word of Christ and train yourself to hold on to it so that you never lose sight Jesus.”   Martin Luther, Faith Alone.

What I glean from this:

·       Jesus is the Truth.

·       The Word of God is flawless.

·       I am to seek and wait on the Lord’s leading.

 

Sharing Bread Matthew 26:47-50

SHARING BREAD

⁴⁷ While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. ⁴⁸ Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.” ⁴⁹ Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him.

⁵⁰ Jesus replied, “Friend, do what you came for.”

Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him.

Matt 26:47-50 (NIV)

In our verses for today, we discover the hour when darkness was permitted to reign.  When the Lord’s Passion began, it came on Him fiercely strong sans intermission.  Jesus had just arisen from laboring in fervent prayer and was still speaking to his guys when evil interrupted the scene.  Sometimes life happens that way.  I am reminded of the calamities in blameless Job’s life – one after another after another – making it difficult for Job to even catch his breath much less process what had transpired:

¹³ One day when Job's sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother's house, ¹⁴ a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby, ¹⁵ and the Sabeans attacked and carried them off. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”  ¹⁶ While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The fire of God fell from the sky and burned up the sheep and the servants, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”  ¹⁷ While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and carried them off. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”  ¹⁸ While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, “Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother's house, ¹⁹ when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”  Job 1:13-19 (NIV)

“Despair whispers, "Lie down and die; give it all up."... But, however much Satan may urge this course upon you, you cannot follow it if you are a child of God. His divine fiat has bid thee go from strength to strength, and so thou shalt, and neither death nor hell shall turn thee from thy course. What if for a while thou art called to stand still; yet this is but to renew thy strength for some greater advance in due time.”  Charles H. Spurgeon          

The betrayer was in the forefront leading the group of armed tumultuous rabble into one of Jesus’ private places of retreat.  Only one of the twelve would have been so familiar with the specific areas of rest and refreshment of the Master.  Without Judas’ help it was unlikely they would have found Him.  Luke tells us in Acts that Judas served the armed men in the position of guide:

¹⁶ and said, “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus-- ¹⁷ he was one of our number and shared in this ministry.”   Acts 1:16-17 (NIV)

 

Arresting the Lord Jesus in such an obscure place would have prevented any interference from the pilgrims present for the Passover that would have perhaps wanted to prevent His captivity.  The group who came after Jesus was an oil and water group to be sure.  Made up of guards – Gentile “sinners” as Christ called them – and the officers of the High Priest who were, of course, Jews.  These remained at variance with each other yet here in agreement against the Master.  And what was their reason?  The warrant was issued from the great Sanhedrin as a person that was offensive to them.  It was not Pilate the Roman governor who gave the warrant rather men pretending to religion yet under their masks of piety lurked pride and jealousy.  They were the most spiteful enemies Christ had and they wanted Him out of the picture.

 

Their pawn, Judas, willingly turned on the Master for a few coins.  In our verses for today we discover him betraying the Lord with the greeting of “Rabbi” (teacher) – not Lord – and a kiss so that there would be no mistaking Whom the guards were to seize.  Judas’ kiss was done to distinguish Jesus, not to detain Him.  The armed soldiers were there for that.  How he could have looked into the Master’s face and kissed Him as a sign of allegiance and friendship is galling to be sure.  Judas broke all laws of love and duty to serve his purposes.  There is no depth to which humanity can fall – this should red flag us.  Jesus replies to the turncoat’s greeting with “Friend” setting the example for us of kindness not bitterness under provocation.

 

¹⁹ Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. ²⁰ On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” ²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.    Romans 12:19-21 (NIV)

     

"The truly meek man is humble, gentle, patient, forgiving, and contented; the very opposite of the man who is proud, harsh, angry, revengeful, and ambitious. It is only the grace of God, as it works in us by the Holy Spirit, that can make us thus meek."   Charles H. Spurgeon

What I glean from this:

 

·       Sometimes life happens without intermission – one huge (and hard) event right after another and another and another.

·       I am to go from “strength to strength” in my pilgrimage.

·       I am not to take revenge but leave room for God’s wrath – it is His to avenge not mine.

 

         

 

 

Sharing Bread Matthew 26:40-46

SHARING BREAD

⁴⁰ Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. ⁴¹ “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”

⁴² He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”

⁴³ When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. ⁴⁴ So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.

⁴⁵ Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. ⁴⁶ Rise, let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”

Matt 26:40-46 (NIV)

Returning from His agonizing prayers with God alone, the Man of sorrows, familiar with suffering discovers His “miserable comforters” snoozing away.   They were so weary with sorrow that they could not even keep their eyes open.  Love and care for their Master should have fueled a prayerful watchfulness and vigilance among them yet it appears they were so sleepy they remained unable to even stay awake much less pray.  Our Lord’s Words to them upon discovering their drowsiness reveal His hurt adding to His sorrow rather than dividing it.  Surely it was an unkind thing for them to do particularly in light of the fact that Jesus’ enemies remained alert watching for Him and here His closest friends are found sleeping.  Satan often seeks to use our nearest and dearest to get to us does he not?  He can be vicious in his tactics:

“Satan doesn’t surrender his prey without a fight.  He comes racing after the converted soul, chariot wheels churning the dust, seeking to discourage you, to defeat you.  He pursues you with the intensity of Pharaoh.  He may use your old friends, a spot of persecution, or discouraging responses by your family.  He may show you a hypocrite in the church or afflict you with a general slacking of zeal.  He may launch a missile of temptation right at your heart or fire a volley of trials and troubles into your life.”  Robert J. Morgan

It is God’s intention for us to stand when we undergo assaults of the adversary.  We are not to become slovenly and caught off guard and cave or here, as the disciples did, sleep.  Jesus had prior told the three to “keep watch” with Him the wording meaning:  “a mindfulness of threatening dangers which, with conscious earnestness and an alert mind, keeps one from all drowsiness and all slackening in the energy of faith and conduct” Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible – New Testament Lexical Aids.  I am confident that is why Paul warns us in Ephesians to be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power rather than leaning on our own failing strength and abilities:

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.   Eph 6:10-13 (NIV)

I am really not seeking to come down hard on the three – I can totally relate to falling asleep in prayer particularly when I find myself as the disciples were at this time – weary with sorrow.    One can be ever so fervent in prayers - even supplications bathed with tears - only to discover themselves drifting off in sheer exhaustion.  Intense prayer is a difficult spiritual discipline to be sure yet one that is ever so richly rewarded by the Father.  It is the going “further still” with God.

“God is at work bending, breaking, molding, and doing exactly as He chooses.  And why is He doing it?  He is doing it for only one purpose – that He may be able to say, ‘This is My man, and this is My woman.’  We have to be in God’s hand so that He can place others on the Rock, Jesus Christ, just as He has placed us.  Never choose to be a worker, but once God has placed His call upon you, woe be to you if you ‘turn aside…to the right or the left…’ (Deuteronomy 28:14).  He will do with you what He never did before His call came to you, and He will do with you what He is not doing with other people.  Let Him have His way.”   Oswald Chambers

Jesus was not simply concerned for Himself rather for the three that they be properly armed against falling into temptation.  While He found them all sleeping, the Lord specifically addresses Pete encouraging him to pray because He knew full well he was ever so willing in his spirit yet his body was ever so weak.  Peter was being foolish not to prepare himself by prayer.  Who can’t relate to that?  His hour of temptation was very near.  Who knows, had he not been snoozing, he might not have denied his Master three times and saved himself from much sorrow.  His example certainly serves as a heads up for us as well.  

¹³ No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.   1 Cor 10:13 (NIV)

Christ returns from prayer and finds them still sleeping and this time He leaves them rather than waking them to pray regarding the approaching danger.  He sadly gives them up to the power of their flesh.

“We judge things by their present appearance; but the Lord sees them in their consequences.  If we could do the same we would be perfectly of His mind; but since we can’t, it is an unspeakable mercy that He will manage for us, whether we are pleased with His management or not; and it is regarded as one of His heaviest judgments when He gives any person up to the way of their own hearts, and to walk according to their own wisdom.”  John Newton

 

“We sleep in peace in the arms of God, when we yield ourselves up to His providence.”  Francois Fenelon

 

What I glean from this:

 

·       Satan doesn’t surrender his prey without a fight.

·       I am to keep watch and pray ever mindful of threatening dangers.

·       I am to go forth in the Lord’s power and stand firm.

 

 

Sharing Bread Matthew 26:36-39

SHARING BREAD

³⁶ Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” ³⁷ He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. ³⁸ Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”

³⁹ Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

Matt 26:36-39 (NIV)

Oh the loving, selfless example of our Savior.  The One Who spoke the world into being, the One in very nature God, the One who did not consider equality with God something to be grasped but made Himself nothing, the One Who always pleased the Father, the One Who could call down myriads of angels to come to His aid yet did not, the perfect, great “I AM” here acquiesces, relinquishing His holy rights - yet again – and agrees to continue on carrying through to the end with the plan to drink dry the bitter cup of redemption for you and for me.  To be sure, that is love demonstrated.  Paul tells us in Romans:

⁶ You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. ⁷ Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. ⁸ But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:6-8 (NIV)

 

“Many people have difficulty believing God is a God of love….If you really want to know the reality of God’s love, look at the Cross….It was love that restrained Him when He was falsely accused of blasphemy and led to Golgotha to die with common thieves.  He raised not a hand against His enemies.  It was love that kept Him from calling legions of angels to come to His defense.  It was love that made Him, in a moment of agonizing pain, pause and give hope to a repentant sinner who cried, ‘Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom’ (Luke 23:42)….Does God love us?  Yes….and the proof is the Cross.”   Billy Graham   

 

In our verses for today the Lord Jesus took His guys - less Judas who was on his betrayal mission - to Gethsemane – the olive press – and there began the agonizing process of being bruised and crushed for our transgressions.  His crushing would enable the fresh oil of the Holy Spirit to flow freely from Him to all believers.  Out of His death and resurrection much life would come.

Our Lord tells His disciples – save Peter, James and John - to sit while He retreated in prayer.  Going further still with His inner circle, Jesus began to be sorrowful and troubled.  He desired for these three to keep watch with Him and pray.  The agony Christ had was not one of physical pain or torment rather He was troubled from within, like a great and heavy weight pushing down upon His spirits.  He was fully aware of the coming events.  From the fleeing of His flock, to the denial of His close companion, to the jeers, scourging’s and mocking’s, to the cross itself, to bearing the weight of all sin – past, present and future – upon His whipped and bleeding holy shoulders, to the forsaking of the Father – all due to the wages of our sins:       

²¹ God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.   2 Cor 5:21 (NIV)

 

The God/Man desired His closest earthly companions to pray with Him and requested their company and attendance in intercession.  It gives some ease to the troubled spirit when we have friends nearby to confide in and to vent sorrows - even as destitute of help as theirs was.  It is good to seek the assistance of our friends for prayer particularly when we are in agonizing circumstances.  Yet, like Job’s “friends”, they proved miserable comforters.  Prayer is never out of season and it is especially proper in seasons of anguish.

“Prayer is a direct address to God. Prayer secures blessings and betters people because it reaches the ear of God. Prayer affects people by affecting God to move them. Prayer moves the hand that moves the world. The utmost possibilities of prayer have rarely been realized. The promises of God are so great to those who truly pray, that when He puts Himself fully into the hands of the praying ones, it almost staggers our faith and leaves us amazed.”   E.M. Bounds

Lastly, Jesus goes further still – alone with His Father.  Some things are better dealt with between the child and the Father alone.  If it is possible – possible that mankind could be saved apart from His drinking the full cup of God’s wrath – may it be taken away – He prays.  Yet, not my will but yours, He adds.  The plan for man’s redemption was coming to an end and what an end it would be.  Thankfully for all of us, God did not take away the cup from the Savior even though God heard His plea, the cup remained.  Yet, God had angels come and minister to His Son – to comfort and strengthen Him in His hour of need as the answer to His petition though not such an answer as the prayer seemed to require.  If the answer is not in the affirmative in our supplications it is for a far greater “Yes”.  Also, we can be assured that God distributes grace to meet our needs for every circumstance He allows.

“Sometimes the enemy seems to get an advantage over us; but the battle is not over yet.  At last thou shalt have the victory, and carry the day for all that.  In hard struggles remember the power of Christ, who, in his resurrection, broke through everything.  With him thou canst also break through, and be more than conqueror.  Yea, in every conflict, if thy faith be firm, thou canst be sure of victory beforehand; for faith engages Christ’s power, and his power ensureth victory; it is as impossible for thine enemies to keep thee always in bonds, as it was impossible that Christ could be kept in the grave by the stone, seal, and keepers.  Nay, the greater their force is, the more glorious will be the victory of Christ over them.”  K. H. Von Bogatzky

 

What I glean from this:

 

·       My Savior set forth a loving and self-less example for me to follow.

·       God is a God of love and this reality is proven by the cross of Christ.

·       Prayer is never out of season but it is especially proper in my times of anguish.  ¹⁷ pray continually;  1 Thess 5:17 (NIV) 

    

Sharing Bread Matthew 26:31-35

SHARING BREAD

³¹ Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written:

 
'I will strike the shepherd,
and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’

³² But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”

³³ Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.”

³⁴ “I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.”

³⁵ But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same.

Matt 26:31-35 (NIV)

Ah, isn’t it so true that those who are the most confident in themselves, in their own strength and stability often fall the soonest and the foulest?  When we say such things as:  “I would never do” such and such - beware believer - as we are setting ourselves up for just such as that.  We are the least safe when we are the most arrogant in our own abilities and feel smug and self-assured.  God has a way of kicking the props out of our false security.  He is the only One on whom we can rely.  Every temptation can be met and endured if we depend upon God Who is forever faithful and Who always provides us with a door of escape when tempted.  It is no wonder Paul admonishes us in 1 Corinthians:

¹² So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! ¹³ No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.   1 Cor 10:12-13 (NIV)

 

"Always remain alert to the fact that where one man has gone back is exactly where anyone may go back."    Oswald Chambers

 

“Confidence in the natural world is self-reliance; in the spiritual world it is God-reliance.”  Oswald Chambers

Proverbs also tells us that pride leads to disgrace yet humility leads to wisdom:

² When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.   Prov 11:2 (NIV)

God also hates pride as it always sets us up for a fall.  Scripture tells us confidence and trust in ourselves leads to our destruction:

¹³ To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.   Prov 8:13 (NIV)

 

¹⁸ Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.   Prov 16:18 (NIV)

 

¹² Before his downfall a man's heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.   Prov 18:12 (NIV)

 

I feel pretty sure if Pete were here with us now he would “Amen” these verses from Proverbs!  The Lord Jesus in our Scripture today was giving His guys a warning of their forthcoming actions as well as hope of His assured resurrection.  He quotes the prophecy from Zechariah which was about to be fulfilled – the Shepherd was going to be struck and the sheep scattered yet Peter would have none of that.  Indeed, all the disciples were clueless to the fact that they would not have the courage to cling to Christ in His hour of need.  Even they whose hearts are upright can be overtaken in an hour of trial and temptation.  That’s why Jesus tells them in Gethsemane to watch and pray for the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.  Jesus again prophesizes that Peter would disown Him three times – Words Peter could not bear to hear or believe.  Once our feet start to slip it is hard to recover our standing again.

“Life isn’t about controlling things – but about letting God control you.”  Ann Voskamp

Surely, we can all relate to Pete.  This serves as a heads-up for us as well.  We are to be watchful and prayerful and not willing to go in our own pathetic power or slight strength.

 

“Those who know God will be humble.  Those who know themselves cannot be proud.”   John Trapp

 

“What makes humility so desirable is the marvelous thing it does to us, it creates in us a capacity for the closest possible intimacy with God.”   Monica Baldwin  

 

What I glean from this:

 

·       When I am confident in my own abilities, my fall is not far.

·       God will always provide for me a door of escape when tempted.

·       I am very capable of falling.  I am to watch and pray – my spirit willing yet my flesh is weak.

 

 

 

 

Sharing Bread Matthew 26:26-30

SHARING BREAD

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.

Matt 26:26-30 (NIV)

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)

What I glean from this:

·       The Lord’s Supper serves as a continual reminder of what Jesus did for me.

·       Jesus sustains my hidden life.

·       Jesus kept His focus on the “joy set before Him” – fellowshipping with the Church in heaven – as He endured the cross.  His action bringing many sons to glory.