While they were eating, Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and giving it to his disciples said, “Take and eat; this is my body.” 27 Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you, from now on I shall not drink this fruit of the vine until the day when I drink it with you new in the kingdom of my Father.” 30 Then, after singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
31 Then Jesus said to them, “This night all of you will have your faith in me shaken, for it is written: ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be dispersed’; 32 but after I have been raised up, I shall go before you to Galilee.” 33 Peter said to him in reply, “Though all may have their faith in you shaken, mine will never be.” 34 Jesus said to him, “Amen, I say to you, this very night before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.” 35 Peter said to him, “Even though I should have to die with you, I will not deny you.” And all the disciples spoke likewise.
Matthew’s version of the Last supper was more of a liturgical rite which is still the fundamental component of the Liturgy of the Eucharist as celebrated by the Catholic Church from the time of the nascent Church. Jesus commanded his apostles to, “Take and eat (v. 26)” and, “Drink from it (v. 26), thus the early Christians followed the commands of Jesus. Jesus gave his disciples pieces of his broken body to eat and gave them a cup of his blood to drink. He was offering himself as a sacrifice, so Matthew added the OT component of a sacrifice, the atonement for sins (Lv. 17:11). Jesus made a new covenant (v. 28) with his people as God did when he led the Israelites out of Egypt, “Then he took the blood and splashed it on the people, saying, “This is the blood of the covenant which the Lord has made with you according to all these words (Ex. 24:8).” This time it was not the blood of an animal but his blood that was being offered. Matthew adds “from now on (v. 29)” to emphasize a turning point in salvation history, a reinterpretation of the Passover supper. Verse 29 also points the disciples forward to the hope of the Messianic banquet. The hymn they sung would have been the Hallel (Psalms 115 to 118).
Jesus then made three predictions which came to pass. (1) His betrayal which will be at night (v. 31). They will all betray him by running away as their faith is shaken. (2) His resurrection (v. 32) and he will gather with them together again in Galilee. (3) Peter’s specific denial and Jesus tells him exactly how and when he will deny him (v. 34).
Lord Jesus Christ, we celebrate your death and resurrection as you commanded with profound gratitude to acknowledge the gift of eternal life you offer to each of us. In your mercy send your Advocate to strengthen and lead us so that we can follow your teaching with courage and never deny you, who live and reign with the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever. Amen!
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References
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Faculty of the University of Navarre. The Navarre Bible: New Testament Expanded Edition. Expanded Edition, Four Courts / Scepter, 2008.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
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