Bread, Wine, and Bravado

OPENING PRAYER:

Gracious God, you have the power to turn my despair into hope. Thank you for giving me people of hope to help me.

READ: Matthew 26:26-35

26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”

27 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 This is my blood of the[a] covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

30 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial

31 Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written:

“‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’[b]

32 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”

33 Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.”

34 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.”

35 But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same.

Footnotes

[a] Matthew 26:28 Some manuscripts the new

[b] Matthew 26:31 Zechariah 13:7

Matthew 26:26-35

REFLECT:

The poem ‘Love Bade Me Welcome’ (George Herbert, 1593–1633) beautifully illustrates Christ’s desire that we should meet with him. May its ending illustrate our response: ‘So I did sit and eat.’

How do you feel when people ignore what you say? It happened to Jesus during his last meal. Jesus lovingly gave Judas a solemn warning that it was better not to be born than to betray the Son of Man (v 24). Judas took no notice. Jesus predicted that the disciples would all desert him that night (v 31). They contradicted him. Jesus said that Peter would disown him (vs 33–35). ‘Never,’ said Peter. But Jesus was right. They all failed him, as disciples tend to do without the help of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2). Even when Jesus spoke encouragingly of his resurrection (v 32) and the heavenly banquet (v 29), they seemed to ignore these words too.

By contrast, the annual Passover meal spoke of God’s faithfulness. It reminded the people of the Lord’s covenant: that he was their God, and they were his people. Jesus now tells his disciples that God’s covenant specifically includes ‘the forgiveness of sins’ – how wonderful to hear those words from the lips of Jesus (v 28)! Most covenants were made with an animal sacrifice. So, imagine the shock when Jesus spoke of ‘my blood’ of the covenant. Jesus himself was its sacrificial lamb. The bread and wine of the Lord’s Supper makes real his body broken and his blood shed for us. Such is his faithfulness to us.

APPLY:

How receptive are you toward Christ? How faithful are you in receiving his word and sacrament?

I WILL STATEMENT:

I WILL set aside 5 minutes each day to ask the Holy Spirit how I can display His fruit.

CLOSING PRAYER:

Mighty Lord, because of the resurrection, I have been transformed. Because I know my own strength, I trust in yours. I want to serve you faithfully and fruitfully.

WORSHIP:

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