Matthew 26:26–29 describes the moment when Jesus institutes the Lord’s Supper.
What you consume at the Lord’s table changes how you live in the world.
Matthew 26:26–29 (NASB 2020)
26 Now while they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after blessing it, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” 27 And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; 28 for this is My blood of the covenant, which is being poured out for many for forgiveness of sins. 29 But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it with you new in My Father’s kingdom.”
Who Was Involved?
- Jesus, establishing a new covenant with His followers
- The disciples, participants in the first Lord’s Supper
- Us today, invited into the same covenant by faith
What Happened?
- During the Passover meal, Jesus redefined the bread and wine
- The bread became a symbol of His body given for us
- The wine became the symbol of His blood poured out for forgiveness
- Jesus pointed forward to a future reunion in the Father’s kingdom
The Mood: Sacred, Solemn, Hopeful
- There is intimacy in this moment
- Jesus speaks with clarity and purpose
- He knows His death is near, but looks ahead to eternal communion
The Principle: The Table Is a Place of Covenant and Remembrance
- Communion is more than ritual—it is participation in the gospel
- The body and blood remind us that forgiveness cost Jesus everything
- The Lord’s Supper looks backward to the cross and forward to the kingdom
Audience Response (Then)
- The disciples received what Jesus offered, though they did not fully grasp the moment.
- Their obedience laid the foundation for the early Church’s practice of Communion.
- Jesus re-centered the Passover around Himself as the fulfillment
What This Means for Us in 2025
- We are still called to the table—to remember, to repent, and to rejoice
- Communion is a battle cry of grace: We are His, and He is coming back
- This sacred act reminds us that our hope is anchored in covenant, not performance
Action Steps for Today
- Take Communion seriously. Don’t let routine rob it of its power
- Examine your heart before the table. Let grace lead your repentance
- Celebrate your forgiveness. You are part of a new covenant
- Live in hope. Jesus is coming back to finish what He started
- Invite others. The table is open for all who trust in Him
Final Prayer
Jesus, thank You for Your body given, and Your blood poured out for me. Help me never forget the cost of grace. Strengthen me each time I take Communion. Let this sacred meal shape my identity and my actions. Until You return, Amen.
The Lord’s table is where broken people are made whole again.
