Last Supper

December 14, 2014

Matthew 26:20-30; Mark 14:12-25; Luke 22:7-20; 1 Cor. 11:23-26

As we continue our “walk with Jesus” sermon series we come to “the Upper Room” where Jesus washed the disciples feet and instituted the ordinance of “the Lord’s Supper,” or “communion” (1 Cor. 10:16).

The Lord’s Supper is an outgrowth of the Jewish Passover Supper (Mt. 27:26; Luke 22:17-19; John 13:1-2).

The Passover celebrates the most important event in Israel’s history when God delivered Israel out of bondage in Egypt. It pictures the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, as “the Lamb of God”, that delivers us from the bondage of sin (John 1:29).

Christ’s death coincided closely to the slaying of the Jewish Passover Lamb. Jesus ate the Passover meal with His disciples and a few hours lat- er became the Passover Lamb Himself.

The N.T. Church does not observe the Passover, but we do observe the Lord’s Supper as a memorial of “Christ our passover” (1 Cor. 5:7). Let’s examine four aspects of Christ instituting this local church ordinance.

I. The PREPARING for it (vs. 17-25)

Just as the disciples had to prepare for the Passover meal, so must we prepare for the Lord’s Supper.

A. The location of the PLACE (vs 17-18).

They could not go to a place of their choosing; they must go to the place of God’s choosing.God has a place where He wants us to observe the Lord’s Supper (1 Cor. 11:18, 20).

B. The inquiry of the PARTICIPANTS (vs. 20- 21). We are to partake with our hearts prepared (1 Cor. 11:28).

II. The PICTURE of it (vs. 26-28).

* Jesus took two elements from the Passover feast, the unleavened bread (a matzo), and the cup, to picture His death.

* The Roman Catholic Church teaches the false doctrine of “transubstantiation” that the elements actually become the literal body and blood of Christ.

When I pastored in Vermont, I witnessed to a Roman Catholic man (Vince Illuzi) quoting John 1:12. I asked him if he had ever received Christ? He told me he received Christ every Sun- day when he took communion. I told him we don’t receive Christ into our stomach, but into our heart.

* The bread is unleavened bread. It contains no yeast because yeast is an agent of corruption. Likewise, the cup is pure grape juice, not fermented wine. Fermentation is a process where by corruption occurs. The body and blood of Christ had no corruption or sin. Therefore, the elements of the Lord’s Supper must be free of any corrupting agent. [The Bible never uses the word “wine” in connection with the Lord’s Supper. It always uses the words: “The cup,” or “fruit of the vine.”]

A. The BREAD — Symbol of Christ’s BODY (v.26).

The blessing — Giving thanks. Jesus gave thanks knowing His broken body and shed blood would provide what was needed to save your soul.
The breaking (v.26). Breaking is painful and humbling. Christ’s body was broken—Indicates the suffering Christ endured in His body on the cross.
The bestowing — “Gave it to the disciples” (v.26). This shows salvation is a gift. It is freely given apart from works.

B. The CUP — Symbol of Christ’s BLOOD. It is only by the shed blood of Christ that our sins may be washed away.