“And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.
Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.”
—Luke 22:19–20 (KJV)
Introduction
The Lord’s Supper stands at the center of Christian faith and practice. Spoken by Jesus on the night He was betrayed, these words reveal the meaning of His coming sacrifice and establish a sacred ordinance for His people. The bread and the cup are not casual symbols. They proclaim the gospel, confirm the new covenant, and call believers to continual remembrance until Christ returns.
The Bread: His Body Given for Us
When Jesus took bread, gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to His disciples, He declared, “This is my body which is given for you.” The breaking of the bread pointed directly to the suffering of Christ on the cross. His body would be wounded, pierced, and offered as a sacrifice for sinners.
This act fulfills prophecy and the pattern of sacrifice found throughout Scripture. Under the old covenant, sacrifices were offered repeatedly. Under the new covenant, Christ offered Himself once for all. The bread reminds believers that salvation is not earned by works, but received through the broken body of Jesus Christ.
Jesus also commanded, “This do in remembrance of me.” The Lord’s Supper is therefore an act of obedience. It keeps the church focused on the cross and guards believers from forgetting the price of redemption.
The Cup: The New Testament in His Blood
After supper, Jesus took the cup and said, “This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.” The cup represents His blood poured out for the forgiveness of sins. Blood is required for the remission of sin, and Christ’s blood alone satisfies God’s righteous judgment.
By calling it the “new testament,” or new covenant, Jesus declared that a new era had begun. The old covenant, written on stone, could not change the human heart. The new covenant, sealed by Christ’s blood, brings forgiveness, new life, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
The shedding of His blood was not symbolic only; it was real, purposeful, and necessary. Every time believers partake of the cup, they proclaim that their hope rests fully in the blood of Christ.
Remembrance, Proclamation, and Hope
The Lord’s Supper is an act of remembrance, but it is also a proclamation. By partaking of the bread and the cup, believers declare the Lord’s death and affirm their faith in His saving work. This ordinance unites the church across generations in one shared confession: Christ died for us.
The Lord’s Supper also points forward. Jesus spoke these words knowing that His death would not be the end. The remembrance of His sacrifice carries with it the hope of His return. Until He comes again, the church is called to remember, proclaim, and remain faithful.
Conclusion
The words of Jesus in Luke 22:19–20 reveal the heart of the gospel. The bread declares His body given for us. The cup proclaims the new covenant sealed by His blood. The Lord’s Supper calls believers to look back to the cross, stand firm in the present, and look ahead to Christ’s return. It is a sacred reminder that salvation is found in Christ alone and that His sacrifice is sufficient forever.