Jesus Faces the Cross

GOLDEN TEXT: “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” —Matthew 26:39

MATTHEW 26:26-29, 36-46

JESUS’ earthly ministry was almost completed. He had said to his disciples, “Ye know that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of Man is betrayed to be crucified.” (Matt. 26: 2) He assembled with his apostles in the “upper room” to partake of the passover with them for the last time. As they partook Jesus announced that one of them would betray him; and then when Judas asked, “Master, is it I?” Jesus replied, “Thou hast said.”—vss. 14-25

And then, “Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take eat; this is my body. He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; for this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”—vss. 26-28

The observance of this memorial of Jesus’ death, and water baptism, are the only two ceremonials the Scriptures enjoin upon the followers of the Master. The memorial of Jesus’ death, as he instituted it, is a simple but a very beautiful and meaningful rite, the circumstances under which it was instituted adding to its significance.

Jesus and his disciples were assembled to partake of the annual Jewish passover, which was in commemoration of the nation’s deliverance from Egyptian bondage. At the time of that deliverance there was the slaying of the passover lamb and the sprinkling of its blood on the lintels and door posts of every Jewish home. This saved the firstborn of each family from death, and during that night the lamb was eaten.

John the Baptist announced the presence of Christ, declaring “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29) Paul wrote, “Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.” (I Cor. 5:7) It is clear from these and other texts that Jesus is the antitypical Passover Lamb. The followers of Jesus are described in Hebrews 12:23 as the “church of the firstborn,” meaning that they are the antitype of Israel’s firstborn which were passed over that night in Egypt when the Egyptian firstborn were slain.

Thus all true believers are the first to be saved from death through the blood of “Christ our passover.” But just as all Israel was delivered from the bondage the next day after the firstborn were saved, so all mankind will be delivered from the thralldom of sin and death, during the age immediately following the completion of the “church of the firstborn.”

When Jesus gave the “bread” and the “cup” to his disciples to eat and drink he was not instituting a new form of the passover feast. He was about to fulfill the passover type by his own death as the “Lamb of God.” What he instituted, therefore, was a memorial of his own death, a ceremony designed to remind consecrated believers of what their Savior means to them, and the vital relationship they bear toward him in the out-working of the divine plan of salvation for the world of mankind.

Concerning the “bread” Jesus said, “This is my body.” Of the “cup” he explained, “This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for the remission of sins.” (vss. 26-28) Jesus’ body was “broken,” and his blood was shed. Both indicate death. Concerning the “bread,” Jesus on another occasion explained that it represented his “flesh” which he would give “for the life of the world.” (John 6:51) Shed blood, as pictured in the “cup,” symbolizes life poured out, so the two emblems combine to emphasize not only that a life was given, but that it was a human life.

The proper time to partake of these emblems is once each year on the anniversary of Jesus’ death, which this year is on Sunday evening, April 14. By partaking of these emblems we are renewing our acceptance of Jesus as our Redeemer and Savior. Paul adds a further significance, explaining that it symbolizes a communion, or common union of the “body” and “blood” of Christ; meaning that we suffer and die with Jesus, and if faithful, will live and reign with him.—I Cor. 10:16,17

Jesus’ experience in Gethsemane was a very trying one. We read that “in the days of his flesh,” he “offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard for his piety.” (Heb. 5:7 Margin) Jesus knew he was to die for the sins of the world. He knew that his Father could save him from death by raising him from the dead. Receiving the assurance, that because of his piety or holiness, his life would be restored, he faced his persecutors with resolute calmness.

“This cup” from which he sought release if it had been the Father’s will was apparently the ignominious experience in connection with his arrest and death.

QUESTIONS

Explain the background and significance of the Memorial Supper?

How often should Christians partake of the Memorial?

What was the “cup” which Jesus asked to have passed from him if it were the Father’s will?

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