This is Mark’s account of the Last Supper. It was a crucial point in history. From time everlasting the plan for mankind was come. It is what brings us around a communion table and a new testament.
Mark 14:22 And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body. 23 And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it. 24 And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many. 25 Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God.
When did the Old Testament end and the New Testament begin? Different things happened at different times. There were endings and beginnings with Jesus Christ. My old Scofield Bible has a notation where Jesus said “it is finished” at the cross: “end of the Old Testament and the beginning of the New Testament.”
Jesus was at the Last Supper with the disciples. He participated in it. At one point he said that the one who dips in the sop with him is the one who will betray him. That was Judas Iscariot. Jesus kept the Law in every way, every ceremonial and moral part. He was the one man to get it perfect; he was the God Man. The Old Testament would always be in effect until someone fulfilled it. We can’t be perfect, but we have a Savior who was. He fulfilled it for us.
When Jesus and the disciples commemorated the Passover, they remembered the blood on the doorposts knowing the death angel would pass-over all inside the house. Jesus was the Passover Lamb. That night he took the bread. He blessed the bread. He broke the bread. He gave the bread to the disciples. In these four actions he instituted a new testament. By giving himself; by being broken; by being blessed of the Father; by giving himself for us; in these actions he died for us with God’s authority upon him. By his suffering and brokenness, Jesus was the sacrifice that was pleasing to God. He was appointed and authorized to be our Savior. We have salvation. His life was given out for everyone.
He gave the cup to the disciples and in some way you and I were there. Everyone who believes in the Son of God is served. The cup was the new testament in his blood. It brought a new testament into effect. Just as the blood of innocent lambs protected those inside the doorposts, you and I are protected. We’re safe as we trust in Jesus Christ. Jesus was telling them that he was ushering in a new testament and those who trust in him will not perish. He told us to observe it and always in remembrance of him. It was a bitter cup that he drank for it was full of our sins. Now we can receive Jesus and his blood covers our sins. In verse 25 he said I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God. He was taking our sin in the cup of his blood and would not do it again. In another time, in a better world he’ll drink of the vine again with us. When he passes it around, we’ll be able to drink. One day he’ll give us a new name. Jesus worked it all out. That’s why we eat the bread and drink the cup. It’s why we wash one another’s feet. The testament will last through time and eternity. We’ll sit down with the Master and he’ll drink once again. We do this with the blessed hope of drinking anew with him in glory.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 