The Lord's Supper (Mark 14:22-23)

By Jordan M. Tew, Executive Director • Baptist Publishing House

After Jesus predicted Judas’ betrayal, He turned the disciples’ attention to the cross. After blessing and breaking the bread, Jesus gave it to His disciples and said, “Take, eat: this is my body” (v. 22). These words are powerful and point directly to Christ’s sacrifice. The breaking of bread represented the fact that Jesus’ body would soon be beaten and nailed to a cross.

Next, Jesus shared a cup with the disciples. After they all drank from it, Jesus said, “This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many…” (vv. 23-24). The cup represented the blood that Christ would pour out during the crucifixion. This cup would have been filled with “the fruit of the vine,” which refers to juice from a grapevine (v. 25).

Just as the bread did not literally become the body of Christ, the cup did not literally become Christ’s blood. Jesus used these things to serve as physical reminders of spiritual truths. Just as baptism serves as a visible symbol of a person’s death to sin and new life in Christ, the Lord’s Supper serves as a visible reminder of Christ’s death.

Implications of the Lord’s Supper (vv. 24-26)

First, Jesus predicted His death. The breaking of a body and the pouring out of blood are unmistakable references to the brutal death He would experience on the cross. Jesus, being fully God and fully man, would experience a literal and physical death (vv. 22-24).

Second, Jesus stated His blood was of the “new testament” (v. 24) or new covenant. While the Passover reminded the Israelites of God’s grace in sparing their firstborn from death, the Last Supper reminds us of God’s grace in sparing whoever believes upon Him for salvation. The salvation story that had taken root in the Old Testament would be fulfilled as Christ’s body was broken and His blood shed. All the covenants, laws, prophecies and sacrifices of the old covenant find their fulfillment in Christ. His death and resurrection initiated a new covenant.

Third, Jesus identified the people for whom He would die. He used the keyword many when referring to His people (v. 24). He poured out His blood in order to save “many” people from all over the world. While not all people in the world will be saved, it is not because Christ’s blood is unable to save them. Christ knew His sacrifice would bring salvation to “many” people. What a victory that was secured on the cross!

Finally, Jesus anticipated victory. While Mark did not record the famous phrase, “This do in remembrance of me,” it was recorded in the related passages of Luke 22:29 and I Cor. 11:24. Christ knew He would die and rise again for His people, which would certainly give believers something to remember and celebrate. Every time the Lord’s Supper is observed, local churches remember their victorious Savior.

Notes on The Lord’s Supper

The Last Supper served as the institution of the Lord’s Supper or Communion. This practice or “ordinance” was to be continued by local churches so that Christ’s sacrifice would be remembered (Luke 22:19). Observance of the Lord’s Supper is evident in the New Testament church in Corinth, as the Apostle Paul said Jesus gave him the same instructions concerning the observance of the Lord’s Supper (I Cor. 11:23-25).

The Lord’s Supper serves as a memorial to the sacrificial death of Jesus. Today, churches must continue to obey Christ’s command to observe the Lord’s Supper. Believers should not take this ordinance lightly nor consider it to be a man-made tradition. The Lord’s Supper, along with baptism, are the two things that Jesus instituted for His churches. Praise God for providing a way for believers to remember Christ’s death.

— This article is an excerpt from a lesson in the upcoming fall 2024 BMA Sunday School Quarterly, “The Baptist Expositor: Mark 11-16 — Christ’s Passion and Beyond.”