Mark 14:22-2522And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body. 23And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it. 24And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many. 25Verily 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. (Mark 14:22‑25)
AFTER JUDAS had gone out, the Lord gave the disciples the feast of remembrance of Himself that is still dear to the hearts of His faithful people today. When we think of all the circumstances surrounding this event it should be especially sweet to the believer. First of all, it was the passover night and Jesus knew that He was to be the true Passover Himself: “For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.” 1 Corinthians 5:77Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: (1 Corinthians 5:7). Then too He was soon to be betrayed by one of His own company; and shortly thereafter to give His life in the cruel death of Calvary. He knew also, that He would be forsaken of God on that awful cross.
These thoughts, and many others, burdened His heart as He took this time apart and provided the loving memorial, preserved in all its simplicity and value even to this day. “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. And He took the cup, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them: and they all drank of it. And He said unto them, This is My blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.” vv. 22-24.
Alas, among some of the Lord’s people today this is but lightly thought of. But when we consider that three of the gospel writers give separate accounts of it, and that later, after the Lord’s resurrection, the Apostle Paul was expressly given instructions concerning it, then we do well to consider its importance, both to God and to the Lord Jesus. In 1 Corinthians 11:2626For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he come. (1 Corinthians 11:26) the word is: “For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord’s death till He come.” Happy occupation for the believer!
This memorial is expressly for Christian believers and not for Israel. One thing assuring us of this is the expression, “Till He come.” This is the Christian’s hope, speaking of His coming for His heavenly people, and does not apply to Israel here. Then, another reassuring truth is that it is associated with the first day of the week, rather than the Sabbath. The “Lord’s day” was the day of His resurrection and speaks of a new life for the believer. The Lord Himself confirmed this change from the Sabbath to the first day, for we read in John 20:1919Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. (John 20:19): “Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week ... where the disciples were assembled... came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.” Again, in Acts 20:77And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight. (Acts 20:7) we are told that “upon the first day of the week,... the disciples came together to break bread...” It is well for us to grasp the value of the first day in the sight of God. The Lord left the first day of the week clearly defined with His apostles and God has been pleased to establish it for us in His written Word many times.
Those things that marked the early believers should now characterize us, if we are truly children of God: “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” Acts 2:4242And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. (Acts 2:42). May we who love His name and wish to please Him, not neglect to remember Him in just the way He has marked out for His own.
ML-03/29/1964