Sermon Tone Analysis

The Passover, Lord’s Supper and Covenants

Mark’s and the other accounts of the last few hours leading to Christ’s crucifixion provide some intimate insights into both what happened but also what was going to happen.

I use the word “insights” for a reason.

For most of the events/Scripture truths that we consider this morning, when we will see a window or another indicator of a future event.

And with each new event there is a very clear Scripture/Biblical truth connection emphasized and underscored with the event that foreshadowed or promised it.

In the midst of the passover Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper.

Taking the cup and the bread that had been used to remember the passover, Jesus explained that the elements would from now on be used as reminders of a not of the passover lamb and unleavened bread, but his shed blood and broken body.

Instead of the blood of the passover lamb, Jesus blood would be shed.

Instead of the passover lamb, Jesus body would be broken.

The passover was a reminder of the Covenant and God made with His people as He was about to bring them out of Egypt.

This was a covenant marked with blood.

Ex

That blood set apart those who applied it and took shelter under it.

Ex

That blood saved them from the destroyer, the death angel when he passed over.

Ex 12:

The passover was not their’s - not Moses’ , not Israel’s, not the priests’.

It was the Lord’s and was to be kept forever as areminder, a means of teaching each generation and encouraging reverence and worship.

:25-

Fast forward - Jesus’ Passover with His disciples.

Commanded by Jesus - prepared by others - CONTROLLED BY JESUS - the passover had been commanded by God, prepared by others, controlled by God.

Two disciples - - Peter & John -

Master of the house - prepared before requested as explained by Jesus -

Large upper room - furnished and ready

Jesus had somehow prearranged this

Man carrying a water pot - task usually carried out by women or servants.

As they were eating - , .

From that first passover and thereafter, they had eaten looking to leave Egypt and looking back to that deliverance.

So as they were eating they were to look ahead.

As they were eating Jesus reminded them to not only look ahead but to look at themselves - betray/denial.

One of you will betray me -

All eventually directing or indirectly denied Jesus - Peter - 14:66-72

As they were eating - Jesus explained another covenant.

Took bread - unleavened - blessing it broke it

Unleavened that had part of the passover now becomes integral

Take, this is my body - symbol - Jesus explained that.

Took the cup - took the cup - 3rd cup of wine in the ceremony - - cup of blessing - they ALL drank of it

Jn 6:

Jn 6:4

Jn 6:52-

Paul understood that.

1 Cor 10:16-

As an aside, first century believers who had been raised as Jews were repulsed by the symbolic reference to the bread and the cup representing the body and blood of Christ.

For them and Gentile believers, they were to abstain from 3 things,

Acts 15:

moral and dietary restrictions.

My blood of the covenant

Lk

Poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

Matt

Many - literally for the benefit of many - those who will believe

Blood - shedding of blood was always God’s way of confirming a covenant - life and death commitment.

Christ’s blood had to be shed for remission of sins.

Blood of the new covenant - not that of an animal but Christ’s blood.

Christ’s introduction and explanation of the new covenant should not have surprised the disciples.

They should seen this another promise fulfilled.

Jer 31:31

- A new and better covenant

Once and for all sacrifice

Heb

.

TRULY, TRULY, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the day that I drink it NEW - anew - in the kingdom of God

When the kingdom of God is fully realized.

He would establish - God’s kingdom

NEW - Most suggest that by new, Jesus is looking beyond His resurrection and ascension.

Most see this as referring to Christ’s return.

That is supported by Christ’s soon to follow testimony.

Mk 14:61-

Probable meaning that Jesus would not gather this way with His disciples until God’s kingdom established.

There is one other aspect of the this first Lord’s Supper.

Mk