1 Corinthians 11:25-26
In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Jesus connects the cup not just to his blood, but specifically to the new covenant established by that blood. This means every time we share in communion, we're actively participating in a renewed, personal relationship with God made possible by Jesus’ sacrifice, not just remembering a past event.
Jesus is instituting the Lord's Supper during his final Passover meal with his disciples. Right before this, he had broken bread, identifying it with his body given for them. This moment is the climax of his earthly ministry, a solemn yet powerful act that will become a central practice for his followers to remember his sacrifice and the new covenant it establishes.
Jesus institutes a profound ritual, calling the cup the 'new covenant in my blood.' What makes a covenant 'new,' and why is blood so crucial to its meaning?
The Blood's Significance
In the Old Testament, covenants were often ratified with blood, symbolizing a solemn, binding agreement. Think of the sacrifices offered to cover sins – blood was the price of atonement. Jesus takes this ancient imagery and transforms it.
He's not just pointing to a piece of paper or a verbal promise. He's declaring that His own shed blood is the price that seals this new covenant. This covenant isn't about earning God's favor through rituals; it's about receiving forgiveness and a restored relationship through Christ's ultimate sacrifice. It's a covenant of grace, initiated by God's love and made effective through Jesus' blood.
Jesus says, "Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." It’s more than just a memorial; it's an active participation. What does it truly mean to 'remember' Jesus in this way?
More Than a Memory
The word for 'remembrance' here isn't just about recalling a past event. It carries a sense of making present, of actively bringing something to mind so that it impacts your life now.
When Jesus says "in remembrance of me," He's calling us to remember not just His death, but His life, His teachings, His love, and the new reality His sacrifice established. This act is meant to:
Understand the original words
diathēkē · Greek Noun
A solemn agreement or relationship established by God with His people, ratified by the shedding of blood; it signifies a new relationship based on grace and the finished work of Christ.
haima · Greek Noun
The vital, life-giving essence of a living being; in the context of the New Covenant, it represents the life of Christ poured out in His atoning death for the forgiveness of sins.
katangellō · Greek Verb
To announce, declare, or publish, often used in the New Testament to describe the public preaching of the Gospel or the testimony of the life and work of Christ.
The Lord's Supper, as described by Paul, is rooted in Jesus' final act of love and establishes a tangible link to his sacrifice and the new covenant established through his blood.
c. AD 27-30— this verse
Jesus' Ministry and Last Supper
During his earthly ministry, Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper with his disciples, establishing its significance as a memorial and a symbol of the new covenant.
c. AD 30-33
Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus
Jesus' sacrificial death and subsequent resurrection fulfilled the promises of the new covenant, offering salvation and eternal life.
c. AD 30-60
Early Church Spreads
The gospel message spread rapidly throughout the Roman Empire, with early Christian communities forming in various cities.
c. AD 53-57
Paul Writes to the Corinthians
The Apostle Paul wrote his first letter to the church in Corinth to address various issues, including divisions, immorality, and proper conduct in worship, which included the Lord's Supper.
This passage prophesies the 'new covenant' that Jesus institutes, highlighting that it would be written on their hearts, not just on stone tablets, a direct parallel to Jesus' words.
Luke 22:20This passage from Luke also records Jesus instituting the cup, stating 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood,' echoing the exact sentiment of remembrance and covenant established in 1 Corinthians.
Exodus 24:8Here, Moses sprinkles the people with blood to ratify the old covenant, showing the significance of blood in sealing a covenant, which Jesus is now fulfilling and transforming with the new covenant.
1 Corinthians 10:16This verse immediately precedes 1 Corinthians 11, discussing the cup of blessing in relation to participation in Christ's body and blood, reinforcing the theme of communion and covenant found in verse 25.
Jesus connects the cup not just to his blood, but specifically to the new covenant established by that blood. This means every time we share in communion, we're actively participating in a renewed, personal relationship with God made possible by Jesus’ sacrifice, not just remembering a past event.
Jesus is instituting the Lord's Supper during his final Passover meal with his disciples. Right before this, he had broken bread, identifying it with his body given for them. This moment is the climax of his earthly ministry, a solemn yet powerful act that will become a central practice for his followers to remember his sacrifice and the new covenant it establishes.
Jesus is instituting the Lord's Supper during his final Passover meal with his disciples. Right before this, he had broken bread, identifying it with his body given for them. This moment is the climax of his earthly ministry, a solemn yet powerful act that will become a central practice for his followers to remember his sacrifice and the new covenant it establishes.
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"In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s…" — Jesus connects the cup not just to his blood, but specifically to the new covenant established by that blood. This means every time we share in communion, we're actively participating in a renewed,…
