Matthew 26:26-29 #1

Matthew 26:26-29 #1

The institution of the Lord’s Supper has been the subject of many abuses and misunderstandings over the years. Some simply miss the point of the reason for the supper and what is to be remembered. Others have made the mistake of thinking that everyone should be drinking out of one container. Still others pay no attention to the elements used in the supper: unleavened bread and fruit of the vine. Finally, most religious organizations do not partake of the supper on a weekly basis nor on the first day of the week as later prescribed in the New Testament. Let’s consider some of these questions.

In this article, let’s begin by looking at the reason for the supper. Concerning the bread, Jesus said, “This is my body.” Hebrews 10:1-10 speaks of the contrast between the offering of animal sacrifices, which can never take away sins, and the body of Jesus which was given as a perfect sacrifice. Our salvation is based on the payment of a “ransom” price for our sins. Jesus paid the highest price that could be paid by giving His life as an offering for sin. In taking the bread, we are first and foremost remembering that we were without hope if it were not for Jesus willingly taking on a human body and then giving Himself so that God might through Him show mercy to us.

Concerning the fruit of the vine, Jesus said, “This is my blood of the covenant…” These words remind us of how a covenant is put into effect. Hebrews 9 explains to us how when Moses instituted the first covenant between God and man, he sprinkled the people and the book of the law with blood. In other words, for a covenant to be ratified, both parties must “touch blood” together. We have touched blood with the Lord when we are “baptized into His death” (Rom. 6:3-4). The ancients often ate a meal together after ratifying a covenant. In the partaking of the fruit of the vine, we participate in a fellowship meal with the Lord confirming and reminding ourselves that we have entered into a blood covenant with God. To break such a covenant carries with it serious consequences.

Berry Kercheville