The Lord’s Supper

March 17 | Rick Thiemke

Stream from your smart TV by going to our Youtube channel: youtube.com/@ViaChurch

 
 

Matthew 26:17-35

The Passover with the Disciples

17 Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where will you have us prepare for you to eat the Passover?” 18 He said, “Go into the city to a certain man and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.’” 19 And the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover.

20 When it was evening, he reclined at table with the twelve.[a] 21 And as they were eating, he said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” 22 And they were very sorrowful and began to say to him one after another, “Is it I, Lord?” 23 He answered, “He who has dipped his hand in the dish with me will betray me. 24 The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.” 25 Judas, who would betray him, answered, “Is it I, Rabbi?” He said to him, “You have said so.”

Institution of the Lord's Supper

26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the[b] covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 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.”

Jesus Foretells Peter's Denial

30 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. 31 Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ 32 But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” 33 Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” 34 Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” 35 Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same.

 

Jesus is King!

Our text takes place during the Jewish celebration of Passover. The Passover meal was a foundational meal of the Old Covenant remembering how God had delivered them out of slavery in Egypt. In the same way, the Lord’s Supper is the foundational meal of the New Covenant. 1 Corinthians 5:7 says, “For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.” It is an enduring symbol that serves as a reminder of the centerpiece of all history - Jesus redeeming and releasing us from slavery to sin. 

In our text, Jesus institutes the practice of communion, inviting His people to participate in this meal. It is in between talk of the betrayal of Judas (verse 21) and the foretelling of the disciples’ denial of Him (verse 31). The Apostle Paul records these instructions of Jesus in 1 Corinthians 11:23-32. Acts recorded that early believers “devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers” (Acts 2:42). This ongoing practice is to be a regular practice for Jesus’ people. 

Here are three things that celebrating the Lord’s table point toward. 

Past 

In Luke’s account, Jesus instructs His disciples to “do this remembrance of me” (Luke 22:19). Paul adds, “For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes” (1 Corinthians 1:26). When we partake in this communal meal, we commemorate Jesus’ redemptive work on the cross. We come to receive all the benefits and blessings of His atoning death, His life-giving resurrection, and His ascending Lordship. 

Present 

When we take communion, we also look to the present. We come to the table, not just as individuals, but as a community. The act points to the fellowship and unity of redeemed people gathered at His table. Christ is present spiritually in a special way during this practice. There is a true spiritual communion that takes place between the Lord and His Church as it is celebrated. A sharing in Christ takes place. The Holy Spirit unites believers on earth to Christ in heaven - we are in union with Him. We should look around us when eating the bread and drinking the cup. We come as repentant sinners with careful self-examination. Jesus assures us of His living presence. We come with our struggles and He assures of His living presence. We come with our doubts and Jesus touches us with the reality of His life, His flesh, and His blood (verses 26-28). 

Future 

In our text, Jesus ate in anticipation of the future (verse 29). He anticipates a banquet to come when His Kingdom is established on earth as it is in heaven. There is a coming day when the redeemed people gather in the presence of the Savior. This will be a great marriage supper, when we the Church (His bride) and Jesus (the Bridegroom) are united for eternity in the new creation. When we partake of the elements, we look to the hope we have in the second coming of Jesus. This aspect of the Lord’s table causes it to be a joyful celebration.There will be a meal of all meals where we celebrate Jesus, the hero of the story. Invitations to this table are still being given. There is an open invitation to everyone to come. There are still empty seats at the table. We are to tell others as we were told.


Discussion Questions

Which aspect of the Lord’s Table do you tend to focus on most naturally - past, present, future? Why? 

Which perspective do you need to learn to focus on the most? (past, present, future)

How does the cross expose our sin? What does it say about the seriousness of our sin?

Do you think most people know why Jesus died? 

 

Worship PlayList