A New Reason to Celebrate
\\ Introduction: The first Annual something
Matthew 26:26-30 (NIV)
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.
I. At the Appropriate Time
Matthew 26:26a While they were eating,
The time when it was instituted—as they were eating.
At the latter end of the Passover-supper, before the table was drawn, because, as a feast upon a sacrifice, it was to come in the room of that ordinance.
Christ is to us the Passover-sacrifice by which atonement is made (1 Co. 5:7); Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.
This ordinance is to us the Passover-supper, by which application is made, and commemoration celebrated, of a much greater deliverance than that of Israel out of Egypt. They were beginning a pilgrimage of earthly learning that leads to the Messiah. We are beginning an eternal pilgrimage because of the sacrifice of the Messiah.
II. The Meaningful Sacrifice of Self
Matthew 26:26b
26 Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”
The institution itself.
The body of Christ is signified and represented by bread; he had said formerly (Jn. 6:35), I am the bread of life, upon which metaphor this sacrament is built.
(1.) He took bread, the loaf; some loaf that lay ready to hand, fit for the purpose;
His taking the bread was a solemn action,
(2.) He blessed it; set it apart for this use by prayer and thanksgiving.
(3.) He brake it; which denotes,
[1.] The breaking of Christ’s body for us, that it might be fitted for our use;
He was bruised for our iniquities, as bread-corn is bruised (Isa. 28:28); [2.] As the father of the family breaks the bread to the children.
(4.) He gave it to his disciples, as the Master of the family,
(5.) He said, Take, eat; this is my body, v. 26. He here tells them,
[1.] What they should do [2.] What they should have with it;
Believing carries all the efficacy of Christ’s death to our souls.
This is my body, spiritually and sacramentally;
III. A Covenant of Significance
Matthew 26:27-27
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.
He took the cup, the grace-cup, which was set ready to be drank, after thanks returned, according to the custom of the Jews at the Passover; this Christ took, and made the sacramental-cup, and so altered the property.
This cup he gave to the disciples,
(1.) With a command; Drink ye all of it.
(2.) With an explication; For this is my blood of the New Testament.
[1.] It is my blood of the New Testament. The Old Testament was confirmed by the blood of bulls and goats (Heb. 9:19, 20; Ex. 24:8); but the New Testament with the blood of Christ, which is here distinguished from that.
[2.] It is shed; it was not shed till next day, but it was now upon the point of being shed, it is as good as done. "Before you come to repeat this ordinance yourselves, it will be shed.
[3.] It is shed for many. Christ came to confirm a covenant with many (Dan. 9:27), and the intent of his death agreed. The blood of the Old Testament was shed for a few: but Jesus Christ is a propitiation for the sins of the whole world, 1 Jn. 2:2.
[4.] It is shed for the remission of sins, that is, to purchase remission of sins for us.
IV. Eternal Life is Promised
Matthew 26:26-30 (NIV)
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.”
1. He takes leave of such communion; I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, that is, now that I am no more in the world (Jn. 17:11);
2. He assures them of a happy meeting again at last. It is a long, but not an everlasting, farewell; until that day when I drink it new with you.
V. Worship, Prayer, and Spiritual Battle
Matthew 26:30 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
1. Singing of psalms is a gospel-ordinance.
2. It is very proper after the Lord’s Supper, as an expression of our joy in God through Jesus Christ, and a thankful acknowledgment of that great love wherewith God has loved us in him.
3. It is not unseasonable, no, not in times of sorrow and suffering; the disciples were in sorrow, and Christ was entering upon his sufferings, and yet they could sing a hymn together.
Our spiritual joy should not be interrupted by outward afflictions.
He would not stay in the house to be apprehended, They had the benefit of moon-light for this walk, for the Passover was always at the full moon.
CONLUSION:
Note, After we have received the Lord’s supper, it is good for us to retire for prayer and meditation, and to be alone with God.