THE CUP OF THE NEW COVENANT

Luke 22:1-23 / Keywords 22:20

In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.

 

Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus

22:1 Now the Festival of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching, 2 and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus, for they were afraid of the people. 3 Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. 4 And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. 5 They were delighted and agreed to give him money. 6 He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present.

The Last Supper

7 Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. 8 Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.”

9 “Where do you want us to prepare for it?” they asked.

10 He replied, “As you enter the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him to the house that he enters, 11 and say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 12 He will show you a large room upstairs, all furnished. Make preparations there.”

13 They left and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover.

14 When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. 15 And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.”

17 After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. 18 For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”

19 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”

20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.[a] 21 But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table. 22 The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed. But woe to that man who betrays him!” 23 They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this.

Footnotes

a. Luke 22:20 Some manuscripts do not have given for you … poured out for you.

1. The Passover was a celebration when the Jews remembered how God had set the Israelites free from their slavery in Egypt. But instead of remembering God’s grace and salvation, the religious leaders were plotting for a way to get rid of Jesus. At the same time, Satan entered Judas, and because Judas loved money more than Jesus, he handed his beloved teacher over. We have to check our hearts to see if there is any darkness so we do not exchange Jesus for anything else in this world and quickly fall away.

 

2. In spite of knowing that he would be betrayed, Jesus instructed his disciples to prepare for the Passover. Then he sat down with them to eat. In fact, he eagerly desired to eat this meal with them. He took bread, broke it, and told them to take it in remembrance of him. The bread was his body, which was broken for all sinners. He then took the cup and gave thanks and gave it to his disciples. The cup represented his blood, which was poured out for us. He gave his life for sinners who would reject him and nail him to the cross. Jesus was the sinless and spotless Lamb of God who died for the forgiveness of our sins. His blood is the seal of the new covenant. May we take Jesus’ body and blood and remember what he has done.

 

Prayer Jesus, we thank you for your life and sacrifice for us. Please help me to remember that you gave your life for me.

One Word This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which has been poured out for you!