Matthew 26:17-29

Now on the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying to Him, “Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?”  And 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.”’”  So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them; and they prepared the Passover.  When evening had come, He sat down with the twelve. Now as they were eating, He said, “Assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.”  And they were exceedingly sorrowful, and each of them began to say to Him, “Lord, is it I?”  He answered and said, “He who dipped his hand with Me in the dish will betray Me. The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.”  Then Judas, who was betraying Him, answered and said, “Rabbi, is it I?”  He said to him, “You have said it.”  And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.”  Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.

Passover to Lord’s Supper

Feast of Unleavened Bread – Exodus 12; Leviticus 23:4-8

Passover was originally a feast for the Israelites as they were about to be delivered from slavery in Egypt.  It was to be celebrated each year as a memorial for those who had been delivered and for future generations to remember what God had done.  It is celebrated in the month of Nisan (March-April) and marks the New Year for Israel because it was the beginning of the Israelites life as a nation.  Jewish tradition said that the Messiah would redeem Israel during the Passover – the very day that God delivered Israel from Egypt.  By obeying this religious celebration, Jesus was doing:

• Clearly proclaiming He was the Messiah Israel was looking for.
• Tying the Passover directly to the Lord’s Supper.
• Stressing the importance of religious obedience.

Lord’s Death – “My time is at hand”

• Jesus clearly gave Himself up.  He was not taken by surprise in the Garden when the Jewish rulers came to take Him captive.
• Christ kept the Passover – “I will keep the Passover”
• Jesus obeyed to the end the Laws of God.
• Judas was Appealed To
• Jesus revealed the betrayal.  – Chance for Judas to repent.
• Jesus warned of the judgment to for the betrayer. – Chance for Judas to repent.
• Jesus identified the betrayer – Last chance for Judas to repent.

Lord’s Supper Established

• By taking the bread in His own hands, Jesus signified that His death was voluntary.

John 10:15-18 – As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father, and I lay down My life for the sheep…No one takes my life from Me, but I lay it down of Myself....

• By breaking the bread, Jesus signified that His body was to be broken as a sacrifice.

Isaiah 53:5 – He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement of our peace was upon Him and with His stripes we are healed.

Cup

• By taking the cup in His own hands, again He indicated His death was voluntary.
• By saying “drink all of it,” He indicated man must receive what Jesus has done for him – must allow His death to become the very nourishment, the very strength of his life.

New Covenant

• Blood of Jesus vs. blood of animals

Hebrews 9:11-28 – ….Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all….how much more shall the blood of Christ….cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?….

• New Covenant vs. Old Covenant

Marriage Supper of the Lamb Promised

Colossians 3:4 – When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

2 Peter 1:10-11 – Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure….for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Ended Supper with a Hymn

In the midst of a sorrowful moment, Jesus sang praises to God

Philippians 4:4 – Rejoice in the Lord always.  Again I will say, rejoice.

Colossians 3:16 – Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.