The Sunday Meal

Matthew 26 26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” 27 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 This is my blood of the[b] covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.

We commonly have special meals for special times.  Like birthdays, anniversaries, "date nights", and some families like mine used to have Sunday dinner.  It started with my mom's parents, who always had the whole family over for Sunday dinner.  My grandma would cook some kind of roasted meat, potatoes and of course dessert.  It is a tradition largely lost in most homes today.  

This story we read today is commonly called the Last Supper. It was Jesus' last supper with his disciples.  It took place on Thursday of Holy Week.  We often call this day "Maundy Thursday", because in the gospel of John we hear Jesus say the words, "I give you a new commandment to love each other."  "Maundy" comes from the words "mandatum novum", which means "new commandment".  But Matthew focuses on the supper itself, which is where we get our words for Holy Communion as we celebrate communion together today.  It is at this meal where Jesus reveals that one of them will betray him.  Judas utters the famous words, "Surely it is not I Lord!", though he already knew the plan and his role in it.  

But the signficance and symbolic nature of this meal is stated above in the words above.  Jesus took bread broke and said, "This is my body broken for you."  And then he took the cup of wine and said, "This is the blood of the new covenant which is poured out for you for the forgiveness of sins."  It was a foreshadowing of the cross when his body was pierced and water and blood flowed out showing that he finally had died.  But the significance is what Jesus calls is the "blood of the new covenant".  

On Passover every Jesus family would bring a Passover lamb, whose blood was sacrificed according the commandment given to Moses prior to the Israelites exodus from Egypt.  The blood wiped over the door posts allowed the angel of death to pass-over the homes of the Israelite families.  They were saved by the blood of the lamb.  The innocent lamb who was sacrificed.  It was all a precursor to Jesus, the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.  The new covenant was sealed in the Son of God's innocent and precious blood.  It was quite a meal of extraordinary significance.  

For centuries churches have celebrated this meal when they gather in worship. We use the same words Jesus used with his disciples, at his last supper with them.  Meals are important, especially this one.  As we worship tomorrow, let's remember what the meal really stood for. Our precious Savior's innocent blood poured out so guilty people like you and me could be saved and forgiven.  Come to church tomorrow you are invited to the Sunday meal.