The disciples and Jesus were in Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread, which was an eight day event. In preparation for the Passover, Jesus commanded two of the disciples to go and prepare the place where they would celebrate the Passover (14:12-15). The two disciples found the place which was located in the upper room of a guest house and later in the evening Jesus and the rest of the disciples joined them (14:16-17). As they were eating, Jesus said “Assuredly, I say to you, one of you who eats with Me will betray Me” (14:18). All the disciples became “sorrowful” and began to inquire who this person would be (14:19). Jesus answers, “It is one of the twelve, who dips with Me in the dish” (14:20). Judas was probably sitting close to Jesus dipping his bread in the same dish. Jesus goes on to warn this person who would soon betray Him, “Woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had never been born” (14:21). Following this stern warning, Jesus takes the bread, blesses and breaks it saying, “Take, eat; this is my body” (14:22). Then Jesus takes the cup, gives it to them, and they each drink from it (14:23). Jesus proclaims, “This is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many” (14:24). In this moment, Jesus transformed the meaning of the Passover Feast. In the time of Moses and the Israelites, the innocent lamb was slain in each home so that the firstborn would be saved from death. Jesus was now claiming that He was the innocent lamb of God which would be slain for mankind’s deliverance from sin. His death would bring us life. In this moment, Jesus was declaring this the final Passover meal and that He would not drink with them again until the beginning of the millennial kingdom. Until this time, they were now to celebrate the Lord’s Supper (or Communion) as a remembrance of the death of Jesus Christ on the cross which brought all those who would believe forgiveness of sin and eternal life (1 Corinthians 11:23-26). Today take some time to thank God for providing His Son, Jesus Christ, as the Deliverer from our sin.
Dear God, thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus, to offer forgiveness to all those who will believe in Him. Remind me often of His sacrifice.
