The Bread & The Cup!

Chapter 21 of Luke tells us about the last night of Jesus’ life on earth and His final meeting with his disciples. Let me walk you through the action of the first 13 verses, before we come to tonight’s focal passage at verse 14.

THE PREPARATION—vv. 1–13

1. Passover—vv. 1–2. The Passover is near. The Jewish leaders are plotting ways to destroy Jesus. Peter and John would have no trouble locating the man with the water pitcher, because men rarely carried pitchers of water. This was the task of the women. Like the men who owned the ass and colt (), this anonymous man was a disciple of Jesus who made his house available to the Master for His last Passover.

2. Plot—vv. 3–6. Satan will work through Judas, one of the twelve disciples who have been with Christ for three years. He makes a deal with the Chief Priests and Officers to hand Jesus over in an out of the way place.

3. Particulars—vv. 7–13. Jesus will observe this Passover Feast with His disciples. Jesus informs the disciples where to find the proper room. They obey His instructions and make preparation. Peter and John would purchase an approved lamb and take it to the temple to be slain. Then they would take the lamb and the other elements of the supper to the house where they planned to meet, and there the lamb would be roasted. The table would be furnished with wine, unleavened bread, and the paste of bitter herbs that reminded the Jews of their long and bitter bondage in Egypt (see ).

The way our Lord arranged for the Passover feast indicates that He knew there were plots afoot. Until the disciples arrived at the Upper Room, only Jesus and Peter and John had known where the feast would be held. Had Judas known, he might have been tempted to inform the authorities.

THE PASSOVER—vv. 14–20

1. The Meal—v. 14. This would be the last meal with His disciples—their last close contact.

14 And when the hour came, he reclined at table, and the apostles with him.

Jesus would keep the Passover Feast with His disciples. It would be His last meal with them. He knew He was facing the cross and soon He would die for the sins of man. He relates some of the events concerning His death.

The disciples did not know what to expect as they met in the Upper Room, but it turned out to be an evening of painful revelation. Jesus, the Host of the supper, met them with the traditional kiss of peace (He kissed Judas!), and then the men reclined around the table, Judas at our Lord’s left and John at His right ().

He revealed his love to them by what He said and by what He did. He told His friends that He had a great desire to share this last Passover with them before He suffered. Passover commemorated the Exodus of Israel from Egypt centuries before, but He would accomplish a greater “exodus” on the cross. He would purchase redemption from sin for a world of lost sinners ().

Then He arose, girded Himself with a towel, and washed the disciples’ feet, including Judas’ (). Later that evening, the Twelve would argue over which of them was the greatest, so this lesson on humility and service did not penetrate their hearts. Perhaps Peter had this scene in mind when years later he admonished his readers to “be clothed with humility” (; and see ).

2. Jesus’ Promise—vv. 15–16. Twice given.

15 And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” 17 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves. 18 For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”

Our Lord’s words in indicate that there would be no more Passover on God’s calendar. The next feast would be the great “kingdom feast” when He would return to establish His rule on earth (; ; ). He saw beyond the suffering to the glory, beyond the cross to the crown; and in His love, He reached out to include His friends.

3. The Symbols—v. 19-20. His blood, the forgiveness of man’s sin (compare ; ). The bread is a symbol of His body and the wine of His blood.

19 And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 20 And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.”

The bread and the wine were common, not only at Passover meals but also at every meal in that culture. Those elements symbolized His “body,” the sacrifice for the entire nation, and His “blood.” He was the sacrificial Lamb who was to take away the sin of Israel and of the entire world ().

But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Jesus taught His men that His death would mean the beginning of the New Covenant. The symbolism about the bread and the fruit of the vine was given to show that Jesus’ body and blood were necessary to institute the New Covenant.

The New Covenant (spoken of many times in the OT but highlighted in ), which was a prerequisite for the Kingdom Age, was instituted by Jesus’ sacrifice (). The New Covenant provided for the regeneration of the Israelite nation and the Holy Spirit’s indwelling individuals in the nation. Believers in the Church Age also participate in those spiritual blessings of regeneration and the indwelling Spirit (; ; ).

Christ paid the price for man’s salvation on the cross. This death brought hope for salvation for all mankind. All man needs do is to accept Christ as Savior. By doing this, man is fit for heaven. His sins are gone. At death he will go to the Lord in heaven and live with Him eternally.

Our musicians are now going to share another song, as we prepare our hearts to receive the Lord’s Supper!

23 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

As an act of faith to declare that we belong to the Lord, let’s sing a familiar chorus: He is Lord ---He’s My Lord