22 And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body. 23 And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it. 24 And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many. 25 Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God. 26 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives. (Mark 14:22-26 KJV)
Institution of the Lord’s Supper
When Jesus was done talking about the betrayal at the Passover, then came the institution of the Lord’s Supper. It was instituted at the end of the meal, after they had eaten the Passover lamb, to show that it is not a physical feast. Just a small amount, enough to serve as a sign, is sufficient. The Passover was fulfilled and set aside here. Much of the Lord’s Supper is clarified by the Passover law (Exodus 12), which, while not binding, still instructs us when interpreted through the gospel. These two ordinances are side by side here; and we can see that the Lord’s Supper is shorter, simpler, and more spiritual than the Passover, showing that Christ’s yoke is easier than the ceremonial law.
Christ instituted it by example, not with legal formality like baptism was after his resurrection (Matthew 28:19), but by his own actions, as a guide for those already in covenant with him. Still, it carries the authority of a law and is meant to continue until his return.
It was instituted with a blessing and thanksgiving. We should give thanks for common blessings (1 Timothy 4:4-5), even more so for the blessings of grace. He blessed and gave thanks (Mark 14:22-23), as he often did at meals (Mark 6:41; 8:7), so consistently that he was recognized by it (Luke 24:30-31).
It was given as a memorial of his death. He broke the bread to show how God was pleased to bruise him. The wine, the blood of the grape, he called the blood of the new covenant. Christ’s death was bloody, and Scripture often mentions his precious blood as the price of our redemption (Leviticus 17:11–14; Isaiah 53:12). Blood speaks (Genesis 4:10), and Christ’s blood speaks better things (Hebrews 12:24). It’s called the blood of the new covenant because Christ’s death made the covenant effective (Hebrews 9:16). It was shed for many—to justify and bring many to glory (Isaiah 53:11; Hebrews 2:10). It is of infinite value and has helped countless people (Revelation 7:9–14). How comforting this is to repenting sinners—that the blood was shed for many! If for many, why not for me?
It ratifies the covenant Christ made with us and symbolizes the transfer of its benefits. He broke the bread and gave it to them (Mark 14:22), and gave them the cup to drink (Mark 14:23). We are to apply the truth of Christ crucified to ourselves and find in it nourishment, strength, and comfort for our souls.
It looks forward to the joy of heaven. Christ said he would no longer drink the fruit of the vine in its ordinary, physical sense (Mark 14:25). Having tasted spiritual joy, one loses taste for mere earthly pleasures. He longed for the day he would drink it anew in the kingdom of God, where all things are perfect and eternally new.
It ended with a hymn (Mark 14:26). Though surrounded by enemies, Christ did not skip the joyful duty of singing psalms. Paul and Silas sang in prison. This hymn was likely one of the Passover psalms (Psalms 113–118). It was Christ’s swan song, sung just before his suffering.