Instituting the Lord’s Supper

Instituting the Lord’s Supper

Following the Servant

Mark 14:22-26

Genesis 9:12, 13  

Jeremiah 27:1-7

By historically linking the Passover and the Lord’s Supper, Jesus is saying that what was so essential about the Passover must not be lost in the Lord’s Supper.  Both point ultimately to Jesus who is the only and the all-sufficient sacrifice for the sins of His people.  The Passover pointed forward to Jesus and the Lord’s Supper points back to Him.    

Jesus combines words and symbols to maximize the communication of the for us to grasp.

The Passover meal that symbolized the delivery from Israel out of the land of Egypt was laid out before the disciples.  The Passover meal generally consisted of: 

• Bitter herbs = Israel’s bitter slavery
• Stewed fruit = (by color and consistency) the misery of making bricks for Pharoah
• Roasted lamb = the lamb’s blood applied to the doorposts and the death angel’s passing over them as it destroyed the firstborn of Egypt. 

1 Corinthians 11:24, 25

This remembrance is meant to communicate an understanding of . 

1. The meaning of the bread (v. 22)

The bread refers to the . 

“I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. . ..”  John 6:35

In the incarnation at Bethlehem (the “City of Bread”), Christ, the Bread of Life, took on a human body.

• Our partaking of the bread symbolizes our real participation !

1 Corinthians 10:16

Through the bread we see Jesus’ incarnation, death, and resurrection life.

• The bread also means that we participate in .

1 Corinthians 10:17

The Lord’s Table promotes the (or ‘communion’) that we have together as believers.

Colossians 3:16

1 Thessalonians 4:18

1 Thessalonians 5:11

1 Thessalonians 5:14

Hebrews 3:13

Hebrews 10:24, 25

2. The meaning of the cup (vv. 23, 24)

Isaiah 53:12

The New Covenant was accomplished by Jesus’ sacrifice.

Hebrews 9 – 10 

Jeremiah 31:31-34

“In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

1 Corinthians 11:25

Exodus 24:6-8

There was no lamb on the table, because the Lamb of God was . 

“Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29

Isaiah 53:7

John 13:27, 30

“The godly ought by all means to keep this rule: whenever they see the symbols . . . to think and be persuaded that the truth is surely present there. For why should the Lord put in your hand the symbol of His [blood], except to assure you of a true participation in it?” -John Calvin

3. The of the bread and the cup (John 6:53-56)

Matthew 23:8

Jesus should be as real to us spiritually as something .

Jesus is absolutely .   

“I can live without food, without drink, without sleep, without air, but I cannot live without Jesus.” -Dr. Charles Malik

The Lord’s Table declares the following:

Our sin—that apart from the redemptive blood of Christ we are lost and eternally separated from God.

Our faith—that we believe in the death, resurrection, exaltation, and bodily return of Christ.

Our dependence—that without Jesus, “we cannot live and dare not die.”

Our hope—that Jesus’ words are certainly true: “I tell you the truth, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it anew in the kingdom of God” (v. 25)

1 Corinthians 10:16, 17

The Lord’s Supper should do a few things in us: 

• Humble us before God.  It’s a time for us to confess our sin.
• It should remind us that we are forgiven.  Jesus’ shed blood paid the price.
• That we do this together is an expression of our unity in Christ.
• It encourages us to recommit our lives to Christ.  We’re reminded to serve the One who died for us to give us abundant and eternal life.

Psalms 115-118

Psalm 118:14–17

Daily Meditations

Memory verse: “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them.”  Mark 14:24 

Monday

Read Mark 14:1-26. Has the Lord’s Supper sometimes become so familiar for you that it is no longer amazing?

What is it about communion that you most love?

Tuesday

Read Mark 14:22-26.  Why might the Last Supper also be called the First Supper?

The central emphasis of the Passover meal was traditionally the sacrificial lamb; where did Jesus place His emphasis?

Wednesday

Read Mark 14:22-26.  What important announcement did Jesus make in verse 25?

Thursday

Read Mark 14:22-26. How did Jesus and the disciples conclude their Passover meal? (14:26)

How does the old covenant God made with Israel compare or differ with the new covenant He has made through the blood of Jesus Christ?

Friday

Read Mark 14:22-26.  What difference should it make in your everyday life that Jesus sacrificed His body and blood for your eternal salvation?

What are two or three steps you can take to prepare for the next time you celebrate the Lord’s Supper?

Saturday

Read Mark 14:22-26.  How can you say thank you to Jesus each day this week for the suffering He endured for you?