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The Irony Surrounding the Lord’s Supper
Matthew records an event that saints the world over recall every first day of the week.
26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.”
Matthew 26.26-29
The Lord’s Supper. It’s a memorial of Christ’s death and what that did for our relationship with God. And there are so many passages that we turn to remember this memorial, whether that be Isaiah 53, 1 Corinthians 11, or a reading of Christ’s death itself. However, I want to focus on the passages that immediately proceed and follow Matthew’s account of the institution of the Lord’s Supper. I believe these passages can provide a different perspective on this communion that often isn’t emphasized.
The passage that immediately proceeds the institution of the Lord’s Supper is Jesus’ partaking of the Passover with His disciples. But more specifically, it is the revelation that Judas will betray Christ.
17 Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where will you have us prepare for you to eat the Passover?” 18 He said, “Go into the city to a certain man and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.’” 19 And the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover. 20 When it was evening, he reclined at table with the twelve. 21 And as they were eating, he said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” 22 And they were very sorrowful and began to say to him one after another, “Is it I, Lord?” 23 He answered, “He who has dipped his hand in the dish with me will betray me. 24 The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.” 25 Judas, who would betray him, answered, “Is it I, Rabbi?” He said to him, “You have said so.”
Matthew 26.17-25
That admission of Judas’s betrayal is followed by the institution of the Supper. Immediately after its institution, Jesus foretells Peter’s denial.
30 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. 31 Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ 32 But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” 33 Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” 34 Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” 35 Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same.
Matthew 26.30-35
I find these passages that surround the institution of the Supper so fascinating. There is an irony to them as well. When Jesus institutes the Supper, He is establishing a memorial that centers on unity. That is unity between us and God and unity among believers. He is establishing a communion that is intimate. It connects us to the new covenant. It allows us time to reflect on what Christ has done for us. It is so significant to Jesus that He says He will not partake again until we are reunited with Him in His Father’s Kingdom. Along with that unity of Christ, we have unity with one another. We are all partaking of the Supper at the same time. We are all taking time out of our week to remember our Savior. Even more so, we are a part of a global community that is doing the same thing on the first day of the week. Unity is crucial to the Lord’s Supper.
But here is where the irony comes in. This institution is bookended by moments of disunity. Before Jesus institutes the Supper, He reveals that Judas will be the betrayer. And we all know that this betrayal leads to Christ’s arrest and death. Right after the institution of the Supper, Jesus reveals that Peter will deny Him three times that very night. Jesus’ closest followers will abandon Him at His lowest point. And we all know that this prophecy of Peter’s denial comes true. This moment where Christ establishes a communion that is rooted in unity, relationship, and reflection is surrounded by two passages that exhibit the exact opposite.
At first glance, the revelations of Judas’s betrayal and Peter’s denial seem to undermine the purpose of the Lord’s Supper. This moment of radical unity is seemingly undone by disloyalty. But our God is a God of reversals. The beauty of the institution of the Supper can be seen in the fact that Christ still goes through with it all. Even when He points out that Judas is going betray Him, Christ still institutes the Supper. Even when Peter denies Him, Christ still goes through with His sacrifice to make the Lord’s Supper meaningful. Even when His closest friends don’t stand by Him, Christ still undergoes a cruel and shameful death so that the purpose of the Lord’s Supper can be fulfilled. He knew this as He said those words (Luke 22.19b).
“Do this in remembrance of me.”
Our God is loyal, even when we are not. Our God desires this unity even when we sin and separate ourselves from Him. Praise God for sending Christ who, despite knowing the betrayals and denials of His followers, still sacrificed Himself in order for us to experience the unity found within this Supper.
