The Lord's Supper, part 2: The Blood of the Lord.

Rev. Enoch Thompson | September 9, 2023 | Matthew 26:26-30

KEY VERSE:

²⁷Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. ²⁸This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins._ Matthew 26:27-28 (NIV)

MESSAGE:

The second element of the Lord’s Supper is the wine. The Lord “. . . took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. ²⁸This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”

The Lord Jesus indicated that the ordinary wine usually drank as part of the Passover meal was now to be understood in terms of His blood sealing a new covenant. A covenant demands the offering of blood; this time the blood offered was unlike the blood of the lambs that were slaughtered by the Israelites in Egypt by which they were by covenant spared from the angel of death. This is the blood of the sinless Son of God sealing a new covenant that spares those who walk in and by it, from eternal death, from the separation from God which has been brought upon us, by our slavery to sin and Satan.

The cup of the wine signifying this precious blood is offered to all to drink. It is noteworthy that the Lord offered the blood-signifying wine to all the disciples. In the Lord’s Supper, we must partake of both the bread and the wine. For the significance is incomplete if one or the other is left out or abstained from.

The significance of the wine as the blood of the new covenant also imposes upon true believers the responsibility to share the Good News of salvation with all people. It was a blood sacrifice “which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” For many not for a few! The blood of the Lord Jesus Christ was not shed just for a few beneficiaries. It is powerful enough to deal with the sin-problem of all humanity. We must therefore commit to telling the world that the Saviour came and poured out His lifeblood for their salvation.

FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:

Much sacrifice is being offered by non-Chirstian people around us in their search for the supernatural, seeking protection, preservation, and promotion. But for those of us who believe in Jesus Christ as our Saviour and Master, our Passover Lamb has been slain (1 Cor. 5:67). The last and most powerful sacrifice of blood has been made for us in Christ. Go forth in confidence, the covenant of the blood of the Lord Jesus speaks for you in Heaven, on earth and in the covens of darkness. You are a beneficiary of the new and everlasting covenant in the blood!

PRAYER:

O, what relief, O what peace, to know that your blood, dear Lord Jesus, was shed for me. May that blood that speaks better things than the blood of Abel, of goats and bulls, speak persistently for me before the throne of grace.

Lord, please let your blood cover me from the assailing forces of evil in this fallen world. Thank you for the power of the blood to save souls. May I be an excited proclaimer of the efficacy of the blood. Thank you for the body that was broken, thank you Lord for the blood that was shed. For your dear Name’s sake, Amen.

THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.

SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!! _____________________________ DAILY word study: THE BLOOD OF THE COVENANT

The phrase "blood of the covenant" is of utmost significance in the context of the Lord's Supper or Communion. In Greek:

"Blood" (αἷμα - haima): literally refers to blood. However, in this context, it carries a profound spiritual meaning, symbolizing the sacrificial shedding of Jesus' blood on the cross.

"Covenant" (διαθήκη - diathēkē): denotes a covenant, an agreement, or a testament. In the Old Testament context, it is often used to refer to God's covenant with His people.

The phrase "blood of the covenant" underscores the central message of Christianity—the redemptive work of Jesus Christ on the cross. It draws from the rich symbolism of blood in the Old Testament, where the blood of sacrificial animals was used for the atonement of sins. In the New Testament, Jesus' blood is presented as the ultimate and perfect sacrifice, sufficient to atone for the sins of all who believe in Him.

This passage invites us to reflect on the significance of the new covenant in Christ's blood. It signifies the forgiveness of sins, reconciliation with God, and the promise of eternal life. Through this covenant, believers are brought into a close and intimate relationship with God.

Reflections:

How does understanding and participating in the symbolism of the "blood of the covenant" impact your relationship with God and your perspective on forgiveness and reconciliation? How can you share the message of this covenant with others in your life?