Today Pastor Alex wrapped up the series on Matthew that began in Feb 2014. In Matthew 26:17-30, we see the institution of the new covenant that God made with His people. Jesus and the disciples were celebrating the Passover meal together like the Jewish people had been doing since their liberation from Egypt. This celebration symbolized God’s protection and deliverance during the 10th plague when Moses told the people to put the blood of a lamb on their doorposts so that God would see it and pass over them. This meal that Jesus and the disciples were sharing would have lasted about 4 hours with 4 cups of wine and lots of food. They would have been reclining and in community together.

Remember, Jesus was born in Bethlehem, which means “House of Bread”. He later says in John 6:48 says, “I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” Then, at their Passover meal he says, “Take, eat; this is my body.”

There were also 4 cups that are typically consumed at a Passover, which tie back to Exodus 6:5-7.

1st Cup – Cup of Sanctification (I will bring you out)

2nd Cup – Cup of Deliverance (I will free you)

Then they ate…

3rd Cup – Cup of Redemption (Cup of Blessing) This is the cup that we observe today. This is where Jesus set up the New Covenant (1 Cor 10; Luke 22; Jer 31:34) The hope for waiting for Messiah is over! He is here!

4th Cup – Cup of Restoration (I will protect you). Jesus does NOT drink this cup, and states that He will not drink it until He drinks it new with us in His Father’s kingdom.

There is a 5th cup – The Cup of wrath. Jesus is the only one who can drink this cup. When He is on the cross and says, “I am thirsty”, He is saying, “Give me the 5th cup and give me all of it!”

The Lord’s Supper is a time to remember AND a time of anticipating His return.

1. What is the significance of observing the Lord’s Supper today? Why is it important?

2. In your life in Christ, what do you need to remember, and what should you anticipate?

3. How does the new covenant impact you today?

Father, thank you for Your Word that gives us insight to Your character, Your plan, and Your covenant with us. Help me to remember your faithfulness in my life just as I see Your faithfulness to bringing Your people out of Egypt. Thank you for delivering me from my sin. I want to live with anticipation for the time that I am reunited with You. Help me to focus on the important things in life, and help me to be less centered on my selfish desires and comforts.