THE INSTITUTION OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
MATTHEW 26:26-30
MATTHEW 26:26-30
Introduction:
This was an eventful day for the Lord and His Apostles. Mary the sister of Lazarus anointed the head of the Lord, Matthew 26:7, “There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat.”
The Lord had to explain her motive saying in verse 10, 12, “Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me….12 For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial.”
The Lord celebrated the Passover with His disciples.
I. THE OCCASION “And as they were eating…”
A. The Lord and His Apostles were assembled to observe the Passover on the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, vv. 17, 19-20;
B. The Lord makes a STARTLING STATEMENT, v. 21;
1. The Lord mentioned this two days before the Passover, Matthew 26:2, “Ye know that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified.”
2. Every account of the Lord’s Supper mentions this announcement by the Lord.
3. It was of paramount importance,
II. THE PASSOVER MEAL HAD NOW BECOME THE LORD’S SUPPER
A. This ceremony did not belong to the Passover but rather it pertained to HIS PERSON.
B. The Lord took Unleavened Bread, v.26;
1. He Blessed it, v. 26; 1 Corinthians 10:16b, “The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?”
2. He Broke it, v. 26, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 1 Corinthians 11:24, “And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.”
C. The Lord took the CUP and gave thanks, v. 27;
1. He tells His disciples to drink all of it, v. 27.
2. The wine in the cup represents His BLOOD, v. 28; 1 Corinthians 10:16a, “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ?”
a. It was shed for the remission of sins, Hebrews 9:22, “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.”
b. This is the Blood of the Covenant, Exodus 24:8, “And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the LORD hath made with you concerning all these words.”
D. The Promise of that His disciple would be with Him in His Father’s kingdom, vv. 29-30.
CONCLUSION
Paul suggested that we need to examine ourselves before the Lord on this occasion. 1 Corinthians 11:28, “But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.”