Matthew 26

 Matthew 26: 26-29  "The Lord's Supper".. or the "Last Supper" - the final Passover meal that Jesus shared with His disciples before His crucifixion.. the observance that we practice in church-to remember anew and continually the significance.. the greatness of His sacrifice for our "forgiveness of sins." 

"... Jesus took some bread and after a blessing, He broke it and gave it to His disciples, and said, 'Take, eat; this is My body.'" The Complete Jewish Study Bible says that the "blessing" would be the traditional  "b'rakhah" - the bread - unleavened, according to the Passover laws; The breaking of the bread, not unusual .. but His words, "this is My body"..  would take on even more meaning when He was beaten and bruised.. and nailed upon that tree.   Remember this, He seems to be saying .. remember the sacrifice.. the surrender.. the cost of your salvation. 

"And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them saying, 'Drink from it, all of you; for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins. "  - A traditional cup and a traditional blessing.. most likely, according to the CJSB "Blessed are you, Adonai, our God, King of the universe, Creator of the fruit of the vine."  But.. a new covenant - sealed, not with the blood of a lamb, but with the blood of the Lamb of God.  Remember this, He seems to say.. and His disciples would.. as they saw the blood run down His face from the crown of thorns.. down His back from the cruel lashes.. from His hands and His feet as the nails were driven in.. 

"But, I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until the day when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom."  This would be the last Passover that Jesus would observe on earth. He would die, be resurrected, and ascend into heaven before the next year would come.  No more blood would need to be shed for the salvation of mankind.. for...  "It is finished"! Hallelujah! 

Father in heaven, "Blessed are You !" Great are Your ways and Your will!  May You be forever praised. How we look forward to that day when we will be forever in Your Kingdom.. to sit at the table.. to share the cup with our Lord Jesus.. Oh what a day that will be.  How can we ever thank You enough for this gift of salvation.. purchased with the broken body and poured out blood of Your Anointed One?  "Great is the Lord, and highly to be praised; and His greatness is unsearchable."  (Psalm 145:3) Keep us in Your Love, abiding in the fellowship of Your Spirit, to the glory of Jesus' name. Amen