Matthew 26:1-2, 17-19, 26-30

Open up your Bibles to the book of Matthew 26:1,2, 17-19, 26-30; Also hold your finger there and find 1 Cor. 11:23-26

Matthew 26:1 ESV

When Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said to his disciples,

Matthew 26:2 ESV

“You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.”

Matthew 26:17–19 ESV

Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where will you have us prepare for you to eat the Passover?” He said, “Go into the city to a certain man and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.’ ” And the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover.

Matthew 26:26–30 ESV

Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

1 Corinthians 11:23–26 ESV

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

This morning it will be looking a little bit different. Normally we have been pretty meticulous going through our survey of Matthew, however, as I anticipate a potential change in ministry I know my time is limited.

I wanted to get through the Olivet discourse and we have, and so now we are going to be going a little faster, jumping a few parts of the text to get to some points I believe we need to focus on in an effort to close out the gospel text. This morning I have asked you to not only find scripture in Matthew but also 1 Cor., and that’s b/c this morning we are going to be focusing on the institution of the Lord’s Supper.

Hopefully, you’re there, read with me, please.

26:1 When Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said to his disciples,

2 “You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.”

17 Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where will you have us prepare for you to eat the Passover?”

18 He said, “Go into the city to a certain man and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.’ ”

19 And the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover.

20 When it was evening, he reclined at table with the twelve.

26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.”

27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you,

28 for 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 again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

30 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

1 Cor. 11:23-26

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.

PRAY

Let’s begin at 1 Cor.

First Corinthians 11:17-34 is an important part of the New Testament because it deals with the celebration of the Lord's Supper, also referred to as the Lord's Table or Communion or the Eucharist.

That celebration along with baptism are the two significant ordinances within Protestant Christianity.

The reason the church attaches so much significance to them is that they were both instituted and commanded by our Lord Jesus Christ.

Sometimes we struggle to know exactly what God's will is on a certain issue, but these ordinances are clear and a vital part of Christian experience. They should not be taken lightly, and certainly shouldn't be ignored.

This morning we’re going to begin here looking at ...

I. The Historical Context

First of all we see it in...

A. The deliverance from slavery

On the night before His death, Jesus gathered with His disciples in the upper room to eat the Passover meal.

Every year the Jewish people met together to celebrate the Passover, which was a special meal designed by God to commemorate the deliverance of Israel from Egypt.

Israel had been in bondage in Egypt for over 400 years

God would deliver them to a land that had been promised by God to their forefathers.

A series of plagues came upon Egypt, and it wasn’t until the last plague - the death of the firstborn, that Pharaoh finally agreed to let them go.

Now The children of Israel protected themselves from the angel of death who took the lives of the firstborn by taking the blood of a slain lamb and applying it to the doorposts and lintels of their houses.

Then they were to eat the roasted lamb along with some unleavened bread and bitter herbs as the Passover meal.

Whenever an Israelite participated in the annual Passover feast, he would remember that God delivered his nation out of bondage in Egypt.

The Passover celebrated today still remembers that great historic deliverance, but it tragically misses the greater deliverance that it foreshadowed--the cross of Christ.

It was also ...

B. The deliverance from sin

a) Instituted by Christ

Jesus took the feast and transformed it into a meal with new meaning when He instructed His disciples to drink of the cup and eat of the bread in remembrance of His death on their behalf.

From this point, Calvary has superseded the exodus from Egypt as the greatest redemptive event in history.

We as Christians don't look to the blood on the doorpost and the lintel, but the blood that was shed at the cross.

This Supper is a memorial that Christ Himself instituted.

He became the ultimate fulfillment of deliverance from sin and death when He died on the cross and shed His blood.

This is recorded in our passage today, but you can also find it in Mark 14:22-25, Luke 22:17-20, it’s alluded to in John 13:12-30, and commented on by Paul in our Corinthians passage.

It is also been...

b) Observed by the church

(1) The fellowship described

The Lord's Supper became the normal celebration of the early church.

In Acts 2:41-42,

Acts 2:41–42 ESV

So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

Upon hearing Peter's message, scripture says

41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

So The early church was involved in four basic activities:

teaching what they had received from God,

ministering to believers,

observing the Lord's Supper,

and praying.

During the Jewish celebrations of Passover and Pentecost, many people would come to Jerusalem and live with other Jewish families.

You got to think, many were saved during that time and so the Christian residents of the city, therefore, had to take care of the converted pilgrims who had no livelihood.

That’s why it was necessary for the early church to share and sell their possessions, it was for the benefit of those pilgrims (Acts 2:44-45).

Acts 2:44–45 ESV

And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.

44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common.

45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.

The sharing of possessions and meals became a unique expression of community in the early church.

I guess that’s why we love eating together so much :)

The breaking of bread became synonymous with a fellowship meal.

The early church incorporated the Communion established by Jesus onto the end of their fellowship meals.

Eventually, that combination of a fellowship meal and Communion became known as a "love feast" (Gk. ,agap[ma]e; Jude 12).

However, it would seem that ...

(2) The frequency declined

It’s likely that the early church had Communion with every meal they ate.

It was common in those days for people to eat together.

The host simply sat down, took a piece of bread, broke it, and that act initiated the meal.

Later in the life of the church, the frequency of sharing a meal with Communion had been reduced to a weekly pattern (Acts 20:7).

When the church met together on the first day of the week, they would have a fellowship meal and Communion, followed by a sermon.

Now, Since the Bible doesn't specify the frequency of observing the Lord's Supper, it would be acceptable to observe it after any meal whether in the home or the church.

The important point is that you obey what the Lord says and exercise the privilege of commemorating the death and anticipating the return of Christ.

Now

1. During His last week, Jesus observed the Passover for the last time...

2. This last Passover was very special to Jesus - Lk 22:14-15 tells us that he earnestly desired to eat it with his disciples.

Luke 22:14–15 ESV

And when the hour came, he reclined at table, and the apostles with him. And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.

Why? B/c

a. His knew His death was imminent ("before I suffer")

He also, like all of us, wanted to be...

b. with those he loved - Jn 13:1 says ("He loved them to the end")

Now our text is - Mt 26:26-30

But recorded by Luke, Jesus says he wanted His disciples to do this in His memory - Lk 22:19

Luke 22:19 ESV

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.”

... Do this in remembrance of me.”

And while we do it, I should point out...

4. The importance of properly observing the Lord's Supper

a. The church at Corinth was guilty of abusing it - 1Co 11:20-22

b. And misuse has serious consequences - 1Co 11:27,29

II. THE MEANING OF THE SUPPER

(Why do we do it?)

A. IT IS A MEMORIAL...

1. Refer back to Paul's account as given by the Lord Himself - 1Co 11:

23-25

a. So We eat the bread in memory of His body

We remember what he did for us while he was here.

b. We drink the cup (fruit of the vine) in memory of His blood

It was this sacrifice that allows us to be forgiven. It was the punishment that we should be taking, but we don’t, it’s him.

2. We therefore commemorate the death of Jesus on the cross

- Mt 26:28

a. His death makes the new covenant possible - check out Heb 9:16

b. His blood was shed for the remission of sins - Ep 1:7

Ephesians 1:7 ESV

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,

7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,

-- Remember the historical context of the Passover, it was a memorial commemorating Israel's deliverance from Egypt through the blood of the lambs on the doorpost,

Jesus’ death makes our deliverance from the bondage of sin possible

B. IT IS A PROCLAMATION...

1. We proclaim our faith in the truth of the Lord's death

- 1Co 11:26a

a. That His death was indeed for our sins

Think about it...

b. If we didn't believe it, why keep the Supper?

2. We also proclaim our faith in the Lord's return - 1Co 11:26b

Paul wrote in Cor. that we do this "till He comes"

b. If we don't believe He is coming, then why keep the Supper?

-- So the Lord's Supper looks forward as well as backward,

And not only this, it will continue to be observed by his disciple who trusts in him and looks for his return.

C. IT IS A COMMUNION...

1. It is A fellowship or sharing in the blood of Christ - 1Co 10:16a

16 The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ?...

a. As we partake, we commune with the blood of Christ

We also have...

2. A fellowship or sharing in the body of Christ - 1Co 10:16b-17

a. As we partake, we commune with the body of Christ

B/c it has great significance, it should not be taken lightly. We should therefore consider...

III. THE OBSERVANCE OF THE SUPPER

A. TO BE DONE WITH REVERENCE...

1. That is, "in a worthy manner" (according to what Paul says) - 1Co 11:27,29

a. The KJV says reads this way

27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.

The word "worthily", some have misunderstood

b. It is an adverb, describing how we take it, not whether we

are worthy (none are truly worthy)

That’s why I appreciate the ESV’s translation

in an unworthy manner

2. We take it With respect for the supreme price Jesus paid for our sins

a. In a couple of weeks we will talk about the cruel torture and humiliation he went through in His physical body

b. But also think about the spiritual anguish he suffered, bearing the punishment for our sins

("My God, My God, Why have You forsaken Me?" - Mt 27:46)

3. A Failure to observe with proper reverence brings condemnation

- 1Co 11:27,29

a.You will become guilty of the body and blood of the Lord

b. You will eat and drink judgment on yourself

--Think about this, To make light of this memorial puts one in the same category as those who mocked Him as He hung on the cross!

It needs...

B. TO BE DONE WITH SELF-EXAMINATION...

1. We should reflect upon our spiritual condition - 1Co 11:28

How are we doing?

2. Are we living in a manner that shows appreciation for His

Sacrifice?

Are we showing appreciation...

a. By accepting the grace of God in our lives? - 2Co 5:18-6:1

Are we showing appreciation...

b. By living for Jesus who died for us? - 2Co 5:14-15; Ga

2:20

3. Or are we willful sinning,

Are we guilty of having:

a. "trampled the Son of God underfoot"?

Are we guilty of having...

b. "counted the blood by which [we were] sanctified a common

Thing"?

Are we guilty of having…

c. "insulted the Spirit of grace"? - cf. He 10:26-29

4. Do we put Him to shame by refusing to repent of our sins? - cf. He 6:4-6

-- In one sense, this is a very private matter between a Christian the LORD; a time to reflect the past and to resolve for the future, but it’s also...

C. TO BE DONE WITH OTHER CHRISTIANS...

1. Remember that this is a communal meal

a. The disciples "came together" to break bread - Ac 20:7

b. When they came together, they were to "wait for one

another" - 1Co 11:33

c. Going back to 1 Cor. 10:16, Paul says

1 Corinthians 10:16 ESV

The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?

...The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?

By partaking together we demonstrate we are one body

-- We commune not just with the Lord, but with one another

And it’s...

D. TO BE DONE OFTEN...

1. I went over this earlier.

At first it was daily, then it was weekly

It has changed

We are not given parameters on when to do it, but simply as often as we do it, we do it in remembrance of Him.

We as a church have decided to practice the Lord’s supper quarterly, however, recent events have forced us to make adjustments, and that’s ok.

3. Some believe that doing it too often diminishes the

importance of the Supper

a. False

We would do well to do it weekly like some observe.

We sing every week

We pray every week

We preach every week

What would be the harm of observing it every week?

There is none, however, right now we’re not in a situation to do that. However, when we do do it again, everyone should make every effort to observe the Lord’s supper in a correct way.

Lessons

1. "The Lord's Supper" is a special memorial of His death for our

sins...

a. Instituted by Jesus Himself, He asked His disciples to do it in

His memory

2. The first Christians continued in its observance...

a. Just as they did in the apostles' doctrine, fellowship and prayer

- Ac 2:42

b. They came together for that very purpose - Ac 20:7

3. Christians today should never lose sight of its significance...

It’s A constant reminder of the sacrifice Jesus paid for our sins

b. It’s shows communion with the body and blood of the Lord

c. It gives us time for self-examination and re-dedication of our service to

the Lord

d. And it’s a means for building fellowship with one another in the body of

Christ

Col. 3:15 - And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.