The Lord’s Supper. The Last Supper. It was his last here and it was the Lord’s. It is a holy supper.
Matthew 26: 26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. 27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; 28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. 29 But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom. 30 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.
In these words and acts we see much more than a ritual. It’s more than exemplary teaching. In the time Jesus lived the wicked were accustomed to huge feasts. There is an old saying about the Romans: they vomited to eat and ate to vomit. The empire fell due to its own wickedness. Any kingdom that sells itself to sin and feels they have no need of God is brought down. The kingdoms of this world are falling.
Jesus would be on the cross in less than 12 hours. This time began a celebration of the Passover when God brought the Jews out of bondage to the Promised Land. Jesus took a loaf of unleavened bread. Leaven represents the effects of sin in a life. Jesus blessed it, broke it, and gave it to the disciples. He did the same with the cup saying to drink it all. Unleavened bread was hard and unappealing in taste. It wasn’t to fill their bellies but in obedience to God. A sinless sacrifice. A life for a life. All for the sake of someone else. He who knew no sin became sin for us. Jesus didn’t eat the bread because he was the bread. He was the sinless life represented by the unleavened bread. He was like us having the same troubles, trials and temptations but he never sinned. He taught in his ministry that he was the Bread of Life.
Jesus took it, broke it, and gave it. The disciples didn’t take, break or give it. Jesus did it all. Through faith in Jesus Christ we’re brought to this communion table. Jesus took our form for our sakes. Be thankful every day for the Bread of Life we have with us every day. He feeds the hunger of the soul. In order for the bread to reach each of them it had to be broken. They all had a piece. There was enough in the cup for all. We’re still here. Praise God that he still calls us to the table through the continuing power of the blood of Jesus Christ. He allowed his body to be broken as the crowd cried “crucify”. He was willing to be hurt and mistreated. He could have called on the Father to be released but he didn’t. As he died he said “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” Until every last part of his body was ripped and torn, until the last drop of blood was given. He gave it. He said to eat and drink it all for the remission of sins.
As we do this we remember him, what he did and what we have, a God-approved salvation because of Jesus Christ. Jesus passed all the bread and cup out to his disciples. They took it and passed it down. That’s how it works. It has been passed down for years to us. There is still hope for people to be saved. It’s an honor, joy and blessing to come to the table and eat and drink in remembrance of him. It’s also a confirmation to continue. Soon the communion table will close and we’ll be at the table in heaven.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 