Sharon Reformed Presbyterian Church · Sermon study sheet

The Last Supper

Bryan Schneider · January 27, 2024

Mark 14:12-26

sharonrpc.org/sermons/the-last-supper

Summary

Jesus institutes the Lord's Supper within Israel's ancient Passover celebration, revealing that the exodus redemption and slain lamb pointed forward to him.
The bread signifies Christ's body and the cup his blood of the new covenant, shed for many to accomplish a redemption greater than deliverance from Egypt.
All people, Jew and Gentile alike, stand under sin and death; justification and peace with God come only through faith in Jesus' sacrifice.
As Israel was freed from Pharaoh, believers are freed from sin's dominion and fight the old master from a position of redemption, not in order to purchase freedom.
God does not redeem and abandon his people: he gives the Holy Spirit, who applies Christ's work, comforts sufferers, and teaches adopted children to cry to their Father.
Remembering redemption at the Table produces grateful, sacrificial living, love, honor, patience, prayer, hospitality, mercy, humility, and hope until Christ comes.

How does the first Passover prepare me to understand Jesus' body and blood at the Last Supper?
Am I resting in Christ's redemption or trying to establish peace with God through my own goodness?
Which old sin still speaks as though it owns me, despite Christ's purchase and the Spirit's presence?
How does the Lord's Supper reassure me when suffering, failure, or accusation makes redemption feel distant?
Do I approach the Table with faith, repentance, love, and remembrance of Christ's sacrifice?
What grateful act of love, hospitality, patience, prayer, or mercy should flow from remembering that I was redeemed?
How does proclaiming Christ's death at the Supper strengthen hope in his living reign and promised return?

Passover: Israel's annual memorial of deliverance from Egypt through the blood of the lamb, which prepared for Christ's greater redemption.
Lord's Supper: The new covenant meal instituted by Jesus with bread and wine to remember and proclaim his sacrificial death.
New covenant: God's promised saving bond established through Christ's shed blood, bringing forgiveness, adoption, and the Spirit.
Redemption: Release from bondage through a price paid, fulfilled in Christ purchasing sinners from the curse, sin, and death by his blood.
Justification by faith: God's gracious acceptance of sinners as righteous through Christ's work received by faith rather than their own merit.
Passover Lamb: Jesus Christ as the spotless sacrifice whose death shields his people from judgment and frees them for life with God.