Poured Out For Many: The Magnitude of Jesus' Last Supper

Ryrie

• (21) “just as it is written about him” would refer to Ps 22 and Isa 53.
• (24) “The word covenant meant an arrangement made by one party, which the other party involved could accept or reject but could not alter.”
• (24) “The OT revealed the holiness of God in the righteous standard of the law and promised a coming Redeemer; the New Covenant shows the holiness of God in His Righteous Son.”
• (25) “that day” directs the apostles' attention “toward their eventual reunion in the future millennial kingdom with its joy and fellowship.”
• (26) The hymn was likely a portion of Pss 115-118, which were traditionally sung during the Passover meal.

Henry

1. The upper room where Jesus was eating was apparently furnished (i.e., laid with carpets) and very “handsome.”
2. “God looks not at outward pomp, but he looks at the tokens and expressions of inward reverence for a divine institution, which, it is to be feared, those want, who, to save charges, deny themselves decencies in the worship of God.”
3. “Judas was with them, though he was at this time contriving to betray his Master; and it is plain by what follows (v. 20), that he was there: he did not absent himself, lest he could have been suspected; had his seat been empty at this feast, they would have said, as Saul of David, He is not clean, surely he is not clean, 1 Sam. xx. 26.”
4. “Hypocrites, though they know it is at their peril, yet crowd into special ordinances, to keep up their repute, and palliate their secret wickedness.”
5. “Christ did not exclude him from the feast, though he knew his wickedness, for it was not as yet become public and scandalous.”
6. “It is probable that they had discourse, according to the custom of the feast, of the deliverance of Israel out of Egypt, and the preservation of the first-born, and were as pleasant as they used to be together on this occasion, till Christ told them that which would mix trembling with their joys.”
7. Henry suggests that, when Jesus announced that He had been betrayed, the disciples knew what would come next; He had told them clearly that His betrayal would lead to His crucifixion.
8. Henry also suggests that Jesus mentions that the betrayer was at the table specifically to warn Judas and encourage him to repent.
9. In response to the declaration that the betrayer was in the room, even at the table, the disciples became sorrowful (vs 19) and became suspicious of one another and even themselves. It's interesting that they ask “Is it me?” when I suspect most people would have started looking around and thinking to themselves, “It must be him.”
10. (21) Henry suggests that, though Judas was clearly implicated by Jesus, he probably took comfort in the fact that Jesus had spoken openly about how He had to be betrayed. Here, though, Jesus declares that whether or not the betrayal had to happen made no difference; Judas would be held responsible for his own actions.
11. (22) It's interesting to note that Jesus did not institute the Lord's supper until after they had already eaten the lamb, indicating as Henry notes that the observance was not designed to provide physical sustenance.
12. It's interesting that Jesus doesn't command us to observe the Lord's supper. He demonstrates it.
13. Even for this meal, His last one, which symbolized His imminent death, Jesus gave thanks.
14. “It is said to be shed for many, to justify many (Isa. liii. 11), to bring many sons to glory, Heb. ii. 10. It was sufficient for many, being of infinite value; it has been of use to many; we read of a great multitude which no man could number, that had all washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb (Rev. vii. 9-14); and still it is a fountain opened. How comfortable is this to poor repenting sinners, that the blood of Christ is shed for many! And if for many, why not for me? If for sinners, sinners of the Gentiles, the chief of sinners, then why not for me?”
15. “No one, having tasted spiritual delights, straightway desires sensitive ones, for he saith, The spiritual is better (Luke v. 39); but every one that hath tasted spiritual delights, straightway desires eternal ones, for he saith, Those are better still; and therefore let me drink no more of the fruit of the vine, it is dead and flat to those that have been made to drink of the river of God's pleasures; but, Lord, hasten the day, when I shall drink it new and fresh in the kingdom of God, where it shall be for ever new, and in perfection.”

Reflecting God

1. (17) This was Thursday of Passover Week.
2. (18) “Originally the Passover meal was eaten standing (Ex 12:11), but in Jesus' time it was customary to eat it while reclining.”
3. (20) “It was the custom – still practiced by some in the Middle East – to take a piece of bread, or a piece of meat wrapped in bread, and dip it into a bowl of sawuce (made of stewed fruit) on the table.”
4. (21) “Jesus no doubt had the 'suffering servant' passage of Isa 53 in mind.”
5. (22) “The NT gives four accounts of the Lord's Supper. Matthew's account is very much like Mark's, and Luke's and Paul's have similarities. All the accounts include the taking of the read; the thanksgiving or blessing; the breaking of the bread; the saying,, “This is my body”; the taking of the cup; and the explanation of the relation of blood to the covenant. Only Paul and Luke record Jesus' command to continue to celebrate the Supper.”
6. (22) “The bread represented [Jesus'] body, given for them.”
7. (23) “The word 'Eucharist' is derived from the Greek term used here” for “gave thanks.”
8. (24) “The cup represents the blood of Jesus, which, in turn, represents his poured out life (i.e., his death). God's commitments to his people in the new covenant are possible only through Christ's atoning death.”
9. (25) “I tell you the truth” is “a solemn affirmation used by Jesus to strengthen his assertions.”
10. (25) “The idea of God's kingdom is central to Jesus' teaching and is mentioned 50 times in Matthew alone.”