MATTHEW 26:26-30 THE LAST SUPPER

Written by , Rector of St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, Richmond, Virginia
 

²⁶ While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”
²⁷ Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. ²⁸ This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. ²⁹ I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father’s kingdom.”
³⁰ When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

It was the Passover and the disciples had set up the room for the Seder, during which the story of the Exodus was recited through the Haggadah of Passover. Central to the observance, even today, are unleavened bread, bitter herbs, and lamb, representing God’s provision, the tears of bondage and the atoning blood of the sacrifice, respectively. There are also at least four cups of wine, the third of which is the cup of redemption (a fifth cup, the “Elijah cup” is usually added in expectation of the return of the Prophet heralding the coming of the Messiah).

Jesus took the bread, the food for the journey, and gave the command to his disciples that they should eat it, as the Jews were required to consume the sacrificial lamb at the Passover. By doing so, he identifies his body with both the bread and the lamb. His death both fulfills and ends the need for the Temple sacrifice and so the bread becomes the enduring memorial of our redemption.

It would be fitting for the “cup” that Jesus offered to the disciples to be the cup of redemption. Jesus’ words would certainly indicate that this was the case. “This is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”

The great theme of the Passover is redemption of God’s people by God. At the Last Supper, Jesus symbolizes that through his death this promise is made available to all people – the “many.” By doing so he proclaims himself to be our Passover and the redemption for the world. But it is still a journey, an exodus, for it will not be consummated until the Christ returns. As the Israelites were delivered from their bondage in Egypt, through the wilderness and into the Promised Land, we have been delivered from our bondage to sin and into a life in Christ, a journey that will end in the New Jerusalem with the Lamb upon the throne.

We call the observance of the Lord’s Supper the Eucharist, which means “thanksgiving,” because we remember in thanksgiving what Christ has done for us – the “Good News.” As St. Paul wrote: “For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes” (1 Corinthians 11:26). To proclaim his death is to proclaim the offer of salvation to all men.

Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: Evermore give us this bread, that he may live in us, and we in him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (BCP, p.219)

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