GOSPEL MEDITATION #228

Mark 4:22-25

The Institution of the Lord’s Supper

(see: Ex. 24:3-8; Jeremiah 31: 31-34; Matthew 26:26-29; John 6:30-35; 1 Cor. 11:17-26; Rev. 19:6-9)

1. Find a quiet place without distractions.
2. Be comfortably alert, still, and at peace.
3. Say the Lord’s Prayer. Sing or cant the Jesus Prayer.
4. Pray for family, friends, neighbors, and yourself.
5. Slowly and carefully read the passage of Scripture.
6. From memory, determine the central points.
7. In the Upper Room, in Jerusalem, Thursday night, the

beginning of Passover, Jesus is alone with the Twelve.

8. Jesus leads the memorial supper, and at some unknown

point in the meal, Jesus takes the unleavened loaf, gives

thanks to God, breaks off a piece for Himself, and hands it out for each to do the same.

9. He then says the bread is His body. He is likely pointing ahead to His own body being broken on the cross.
10. The same with the cup (likely the 3^rd cup in the Passover

Seder), He gave thanks for it, as was the custom, passed it around, and said it was His “blood of the covenant.”

11. Perhaps looking back to Exodus 24 and Jeremiah 31:31-34, Jesus explains the startling truth that His blood spilling or shedding would usher in a new covenant, not Law keeping or the old covenant, but a new and unilateral covenant or agreement.
12. Jesus clearly states that His blood is poured out for many and thus, not all. Matthew’s account has “poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” (Mt. 26:28)
13. Jesus will not drink of the cup again until the kingdom

has come. We look forward to this supper. (Rev. 19:6-9)