Words of Institution (The Lord's Supper)

Matthew 26:17-30

Matthew 26:17–30 NIV

17 On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?” 18 He replied, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.’ ” 19 So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover. 20 When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. 21 And while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.” 22 They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, “Surely you don’t mean me, Lord?” 23 Jesus replied, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. 24 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.” 25 Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?” Jesus answered, “You have said so.” 26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” 27 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave 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 from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” 30 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Betrayal

This feast is instituted in and around betrayal. Though it doesn’t happen at this very moment, it is promised to come and is hanging heavy over this event. 

The idea that someone could betray someone else with whom they are eating a meal was unthinkable in Jesus’ world. The idea that someone could betray someone else with whom they eat this meal should be unthinkable in our world.

Yet Jesus is still dining with the one who will soon betray him. And in that reality the meaning of this meal really is quite obvious: Everyone is welcome at the table of our Lord!

We often underestimate the importance of table fellowship in the Bible.  But in the ancient world, to share the table with another person was making a social statement about yourself and about your guest.

The Pharisees are often described as confused by Jesus’ association with the “unclean” of their society.  He even shared meals with Tax-collectors and other “sinners!”  

Jesus understood what it meant socially to sit down and eat a meal with someone, therefore when he chose to eat with someone that was a part of the “underclass” he was crossing a social boundary in order to meet a spiritual need.  SHOULDN’T WE BE WILLING TO DO THE SAME?

While this new covenant is founded in, around, and through a moment of betrayal, betrayal does not set the terms of engagement for this covenant. One who has sinned is not banished from the table. Moral failure does not keep one away…in fact, that’s what they Pharisees believed. Jesus proclaimed and lived an example of the opposite. Everyone is welcome at the table of our Lord! 

We too, as participants of this feast need to realize that even though our words, actions, and our thoughts often betray Jesus and his will for us, he still welcomes us at the Table. And the grace found at the Table should turn us toward repentance, and return us to a right relationship, a more faithful future with our Savior.

Father God, the God of promise, you made a covenant with your people in Israel, which you renewed at Jesus’ last supper. Renew your covenant with us daily, so that we might learn to live in your light and peace. May the bread remind us of his body that was hung upon the cross, and may the cup remind us of his blood that was poured out for the forgiveness of our sins. We pray these things in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

The Lord’s Supper