27 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 This is my blood of the[a] covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” Matthew 26:26-29
Jesus's death was necessary.
"In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness." Hebrews 9:22
"God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement,[a] through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished" Romans 3:25
Jesus's sacrifice means we can have a personal relationship with God. Also means we can one day walk with Him in heaven.
"For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit." 1 Peter 3:18
Jesus died for this opportunity.
1 Cross + 3 nails = 4Given!
Our faith has to be based on the right thing -- Jesus.
"Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day." John 6:54
When your faith is based on Jesus you will be raised in the end.
Jesus provides salvation only if it is a faith we can't do without.
'For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you." Romans 12:3
The 2nd "last supper" is called The Marriage Supper of the Lamb.
"Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing watersand like loud peals of thunder, shouting:
“Hallelujah!
For our Lord God Almighty reigns.
7 Let us rejoice and be glad
and give him glory!
For the wedding of the Lamb has come,
and his bride has made herself ready.
8 Fine linen, bright and clean,
was given her to wear.”
(Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.)
9 Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” And he added, “These are the true words of God.” Revelation 19:6-9
The disciples understood what Jesus was doing when He offered them the cup. It was the picture of what happens between a young couple getting engaged. When the man of the couple offers the woman the cup of wine it means he is offering her himself, his entire life, his all. She has the choice of whether or not to accept the cup even though negotiations and contracts have been drawn up. She has freewill. When she accepts the cup she is saying my life is yours. I am dedicated to you. You are my future.
When we accept Christ's cup, his blood, we are saying we are His. We are dedicated to Him.
Do we accept the cup?
When Jesus handed them the bread and the cup He was offering everything.
1. Have you asked for forgiveness?
2. Are you living your life in a way that honors Jesus's sacrifice?
3. When Christ returns and we're at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb will we see people there we've shared the good news with?
I don't want anyone to be missing.
We live with the consequences of our decision.