Knowing The Word in Matthew 26:26-29

Institution of the Lord's Supper

26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing [God by saying, “Blessed art Thou, O Lord our God, King of the Universe, who bringest forth bread from the earth”] it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” [The Passover ritual had its own words of explanation of the food and drink. These are unfamiliar words—although quite familiar to us—that Jesus adds, giving new meaning to the old Passover, creating a new Christian meal. Calling the bread “my body” graphically illustrates the violent death of Jesus, dashing any hopes that he would live. By telling his disciples to eat, which only Matthew records, he is telling them that they will intimately participate in the effects of his death. See John 6:48-58. If eating the Passover meal served to identify the Israelites with their redemption from Egypt, so does this eating and drinking convey the benefits of Jesus’ paschal sacrifice to those who share at his table.] 27 And he took a cup [the third of the evening], and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood [sacrifice] of the [new] covenant [see Jeremiah 31:31-34], which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. [God’s relationship with his people had always depended on the sacrificial shedding of blood, and this new covenant is no exception. From now on there will be a new community constituted by the sacrifice of Jesus. The Passover, which had brought about a new nation under the Sinai covenant, is remade by Jesus and points to a new redemption of a true Israel distinct from the merely national community of the Old Covenant.] 29 I 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.” [The focus on death now shifts to life. This points forward to a new life with the Father where there will be a feast with the new wine of the Messianic banquet.]