The Last Supper

 

And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. And he said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. Truly, I say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” (Mark 14:22-25 ESV).

 

Different denominations reference the supper detailed in our reading today with different designations. Some call this act a sacrament, others use the word ordinance. Most of Christianity practices what is commonly called “the Lord’s Supper.” Jesus used the common elements of bread and wine to draw a word picture for his followers. It is a message we must understand.

 

After first giving his disciples bread, Jesus took a cup of “the fruit of the vine.” He gave thanks to his Father and shared the cup with his disciples. Wine was a common drink in that day. No refrigeration existed back then, and the easiest way for storing and transporting grape juice was to have it fermented first. It’s likely that the disciples drank from Jesus’ cup without realizing its significance at first. It was such a regular thing—there was nothing unusual about it.

 

But then Jesus interrupted with some startling words. He intended this drink to be a symbol of his own blood, the “blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.” The Israelites viewed blood as a sustaining power of life. And now Jesus talked about shedding it for his chosen ones. Moreover, he invited his disciples to drink it. What a powerful way to point to his sacrifice!

 

Jesus also breaks the bread and directs the disciples to eat of it as it represented His body which would be given for their redemption. He paid the debt we could never pay and died the death we all deserve! This is the greatest image of God’s unfathomable grace we could ever have!