Institutes the Lord’s Supper

Matthew 26:26-29

At some point during the Passover meal, Jesus instituted the Sacrament. Matthew states: “Jesus took abread, band blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my cbody.” I am sure that the Apostles did not understand what was happening. But the Sacrament is one of the very important ordinances of the Gospel. It is the way that we renew our Baptismal covenants each week. It is simple and symbolic.

In verses 27-28 he institutes the second part of the Sacrament, this simple but ever important ordinance of the Gospel. I am sure that the Apostles did not understand the atonement, the Sacrament, or the interrelationship, but I am sure that there was a marvelous Spirit there and after the Savior’s death, resurrection, and 40 days of instruction, it became much more meaningful. Here the Savior invites all to drink of the cup, which is the blood of the new testament which is shed for those who repent. His blood was shed for many and for the remission of our sins.

In verse 29, the Savior then announces to his disciples that he will not drink with them, or partake of the Sacrament with them, again until they do so in His Father’s kingdom. This was the first time that they partook of the Sacrament but there was also a wonderful promise that they will at a future date again partake of the Sacrament with Him in His Father’s Kingdom. What an amazing promise!

Mark 14:22-25 and Luke 22:17-20

The scriptures in Matthew, Mark, and Luke concerning the institution of the Sacrament are essentially the same. I wonder if one was the source for the other two.

1 Corinthians 11:23-26

In 1 Corinthians, Paul again relates almost the exact words of Matthew, Mark and Luke about the Sacrament. The Savior gave thanks first. What a great example for us. We should always give thanks first. He brake the bread and offered it to the Twelve, saying “Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.” We are to partake of the bread to remember the body of the Savior and to remember that all will be resurrected. Taking the cup, he said “This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.” We are to remember that the Sacrament is part of the new testament, the new covenant, of the Gospel of the Savior. We are to do this in remembrance of His blood that He shed for us. Only through His blood and His atonement, can we receive a forgiveness of our sins, as we sincerely repent. In verse 26, the Savior reminds us that as we partake of the Sacrament, we shew, proclaim or announce, the Lord’s atonement, His death and resurrection. To honestly announce or proclaim the atonement, we truly need to apply His atonement daily in our lives.