THE TABLE OF THE LORD THIS IS MY BLOOD OF THE NEW TESTAMENT Matthew and Luke leave the word "cup" out of the pronouncement. "For this is My blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins" (Matt 26:28). "And He said unto them, This is My blood of the new testament, which is shed for many" (Mark 14:24). This decimates the view that emphasizes the cup itself. Some have been factious over this matter. They have actually divided believers over the number of cups to be used at the table of the Lord. The seriousness of this conduct cannot be overstated. Men have no right to tamper with this ordinance. The physical cup is NOT the point, else Jesus would have provided extensive procedural instruction. The ordinance is too central to allow for the development of private views and opinions. -- Tomorrow:
"Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils" -- 1 Corinthians 10:21
These words are addressed to the heart. They are food for faith. They presume a preoccupation with the Lord Jesus Himself and His redemptive accomplishments. He is not directing our ultimate attention to the "cup," but to His "blood," which ratified the New Covenant. At this point our thoughts become the preeminent matter, not a ritual.
The activity of the heart supersedes the activity of the body. What appears to be a mere liturgical exercise becomes the appointed means of focusing the heart and mind upon a Covenant that brings God and men together (Jer 31:31 34; Heb 8:8-13).
This, by no means, disparages the ordinance of the Lord's table. Those who despise this table induce the anger of the Almighty. The Lord Jesus has joined the recollection of Himself to the table where men eat bread and drink the cup. In the words of Jesus Himself, "What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate" (Matt 19:6, NASB). This table is an appointed means to an appointed end. You cannot have the "end" without the "means."
Thus the New Testament is brought as close to you as the cup, and it is as readily available to you as that cup. The new covenant is as real to our hearts as the cup is to our vision and touch! Your grasp of it is as sure as your hold on the cup. The "cup" is singular because the covenant is singular. Christ's point is not the precision of the procedure, but the discipline of thought.
Matthew and Mark make no mention of the cup, confirming that the activities of the heart and mind were primary. His intent was not to superimpose the form of a Jewish feast upon His disciples understanding. Rather, The point is the new testament, made vivid to us in this blessed ordinance.
Jesus is best remembered by recalling the glorious Covenant ratified by His blood. That recollection will serve to bring things into a proper perspective
PRAYER POINT: Father, through Jesus I thank you for taking something as common as a cup, and transforming into a vehicle for sanctified remembrance and Divine fellowship.