Meaning of Luke 22:20

This verse, spoken by Jesus during the Last Supper, establishes the institution of the Lord's Supper, also known as Communion or the Eucharist. It is a pivotal moment where Jesus reinterprets the Passover meal, transforming it into a memorial of his sacrificial death and the inauguration of a new covenant between God and humanity. The bread, broken and distributed, represents his body given for believers, and the wine, representing his blood, signifies the forgiveness of sins and the establishment of a new relationship with God, mediated through his atoning sacrifice. This act is not merely symbolic but is understood by many Christian traditions as a means of grace, where believers partake in the spiritual reality of Christ's sacrifice.

Context and Background

The Last Supper takes place on the night before Jesus' crucifixion. It is the annual Passover feast, commemorating the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt through the shedding of a lamb's blood. Jesus, identifying himself as the ultimate Lamb of God, uses this familiar ritual to signify a far greater liberation – from sin and death. The disciples are present, and Jesus is preparing them for his departure, offering them this sacred meal as a lasting remembrance and a sign of his ongoing presence and the new reality he is bringing. The "new covenant" explicitly contrasts with the "old covenant" established through Moses at Mount Sinai, which was ratified with animal sacrifices and stipulations of law.

Key Themes and Messages

• The New Covenant: This is the central theme. Jesus proclaims a covenant superior to the Mosaic covenant, one established not by adherence to law but by his own blood. This covenant is characterized by forgiveness of sins, direct access to God, and the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.
• Sacrifice and Atonement: The pouring out of Jesus' blood signifies his atoning sacrifice, the payment for human sin. This act redeems believers and reconciles them to God.
• Remembrance: Jesus instructs his followers to do this in remembrance of him, making the meal a perpetual act of commemoration and participation in his redemptive work.
• Community: The shared meal signifies the unity of believers in Christ, forming a new spiritual family bound together by his sacrifice.

Spiritual Significance and Application

For believers, partaking in the Lord's Supper is a profound spiritual act. It is a tangible reminder of Christ's love and sacrifice, a reaffirmation of their covenant relationship with God, and a source of spiritual nourishment and strength. It serves as a corporate declaration of faith, a moment of confession, repentance, and thanksgiving. It also serves as a foretaste of the heavenly banquet, a promise of future fellowship with Christ in glory.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

Luke 22:20 is deeply interwoven with the entire arc of biblical revelation. The concept of covenant is introduced early in the Old Testament (e.g., with Abraham and Noah) and culminates in the Mosaic covenant. However, prophets like Jeremiah foretold a "new covenant" (Jeremiah 31:31-34) that would be written on the hearts of God's people, characterized by internal transformation and forgiveness, which Jesus here inaugurates. The sacrificial system of the Old Testament, with its repeated offerings of animals, finds its ultimate fulfillment in the one-time, perfect sacrifice of Christ. This verse also echoes the messianic prophecies pointing to a suffering servant who would bear the sins of many (Isaiah 53).

Analogies

The "new covenant in my blood" can be understood through several analogies:

• A Treaty or Agreement: Just as a treaty between nations is sealed with a ceremony and often with blood or sacrifice, Jesus' sacrifice seals a new relationship between God and humanity.
• A Will or Inheritance: A will outlines the distribution of an inheritance. Jesus' blood is the price that secures the inheritance of eternal life and forgiveness for his followers.
• A Medical Treatment: A doctor administers a life-saving treatment (the blood of Christ) to heal a terminal illness (sin). The patient, by accepting the treatment, enters into a new state of health and life.

Relation to Other Verses

• Jeremiah 31:31-34: This Old Testament prophecy directly foretells the coming of a new covenant, where God's law will be internalized, and sins will be forgiven. Jesus' words at the Last Supper fulfill this prophecy.
• 1 Corinthians 11:23-26: Paul recounts the institution of the Lord's Supper, providing a parallel account and emphasizing the command to "do this in remembrance of me." He also elaborates on the spiritual discernment required when partaking.
• Hebrews 8:6-13 and 9:11-28: The author of Hebrews extensively explains how Christ's sacrifice is the mediator of a superior covenant, fulfilling the promises of the new covenant and rendering the old sacrificial system obsolete.
• John 6:53-56: Jesus speaks about "eating his flesh and drinking his blood," which, while metaphorical and often interpreted in conjunction with the Lord's Supper, highlights the deep spiritual union and sustenance believers receive through him.