Matthew 26:25-29: a reflection

25Judas, who betrayed him, answered, “It isn’t me, is it, Rabbi?” He said to him, “You said it.” 26As they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks for it, and broke it. He gave to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27He took the cup, gave thanks, and gave to them, saying, “All of you drink it, 28for this is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many for the remission of sins. 29But I tell you that I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on, until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father’s Kingdom.”

At the Last Supper, Jesus takes bread and the cup and gives them a meaning that reaches to the heart of the gospel. This is my body, he says of the bread; and of the cup, This is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many for the remission of sins. His body would be given, his blood poured out, and this for the forgiveness of sins, sealing a new covenant between God and his people. What he was about to do on the cross, he here gives them to remember: his life given, his blood poured out, for the forgiveness of many.

Notice what Jesus says his blood accomplishes: it is poured out for many for the remission of sins. His death was not a tragedy that befell him, but a giving of himself; his blood was poured out, deliberately, for a purpose: the forgiveness of sins. And this sealed a new covenant, a new relationship between God and his people, grounded in the forgiveness his blood secured. What the animal sacrifices could only foreshadow, Christ accomplished: his own blood, poured out for the forgiveness of many, sealing the covenant of grace.

That is the heart of the gospel, and worth resting in: that Christ's blood was poured out for the forgiveness of our sins. We need forgiveness, and cannot secure it ourselves; but Christ's blood was poured out for many, for the remission of sins, for us. Rest not in your own efforts to earn forgiveness, but in the blood of Christ poured out for the forgiveness of sins. When you are burdened by your sin, remember what Christ gives you here: his body given, his blood poured out for the remission of sins, sealing a new covenant of grace. Receive the forgiveness Christ secured by his blood, poured out for many, and rest in it, rather than trying to earn what he has already accomplished; for his blood was poured out for the forgiveness of your sins, as he gave the cup and said, this is my blood of the new covenant, poured out for many for the remission of sins.

Lord Jesus, at the Last Supper, you take bread and the cup and give them a meaning that reaches to the heart of the gospel. This is my body, you say of the bread; and of the cup, this is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many for the remission of sins. Your body would be given, your blood poured out, and this for the forgiveness of sins, sealing a new covenant. What you were about to do on the cross, you gave them to remember. Show me what you say your blood accomplishes: it is poured out for many for the remission of sins. Your death was not a tragedy that befell you, but a giving of yourself; your blood was poured out, deliberately, for the forgiveness of sins. And this sealed a new covenant, grounded in the forgiveness your blood secured. What the animal sacrifices could only foreshadow, you accomplished. That is the heart of the gospel, and worth resting in: that your blood was poured out for the forgiveness of my sins. I need forgiveness, and cannot secure it myself; but your blood was poured out for many, for me. Keep me from resting in my own efforts to earn forgiveness; help me rest in your blood poured out for the forgiveness of sins. When I am burdened by my sin, help me remember what you give me here. Help me receive the forgiveness you secured by your blood, Lord, poured out for many, and rest in it, rather than trying to earn what you have already accomplished.