“And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.” (Luke 22:19 KJV)
…in remembrance of me. There are a couple of key questions to ponder in this statement. What are we remembering? Why “me”? In reading through Exodus 12, we see the need to observe the passover event with regularity on a particular day each year with particular practices like searching for and removing leaven. However, in this statement, Jesus is no longer asking for the practice to be remembered, but to do this practice in remembrance of him. We see similar things throughout the old testament where people are given practices that develop “muscle memory” (for lack of a better term) so that as they come to their intended meaning that we do not miss them. God actually intends for us to know. A great example of this is when Jesus speaks to Martha. “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?” (John 11:25, 26 KJV) It’s one thing to have a general belief in the resurrection. That this event will take place one day. It means a great deal more when it is connected specifically with Jesus who is standing right there.
What about this event, that Jesus is celebrating with his disciples in Luke 22, reflects on and fulfills what took place back in Exodus 12? First, notice that the location where he celebrates this meal with his disciples is cryptic. This is the perfect time for Judas (or anyone else that may come across this information) to betray Jesus. Yet Jesus does not answer their location question with an address. He gives them a roundabout way of finding the room that is to be prepared. This event must take place. Death is coming and a way must be prepared so that those who trust in Jesus can apply his sacrifice to them. Similar to Exodus 12, those found without the covering of the sacrifice over them will die. Several of the plagues did not fall on those in the land of Goshen. Why was it necessary for this one to? Death must be the wages of sin. Either the sinner must die or the atonement for the sinner must die and the sinner accepts that atonement by dying to self and living for the atoner. Is it not also interesting that the blood of this sacrifice should be spread on “… the lintel, and on the two side posts…” (Exodus 12:23 KJV)? The shape of a doorway. Just big enough for a person to walk through. That as we go inside a doorway that is covered with his sacrifice, there is a harbor of protection there.
God commands this event to be remembered in Exodus because it is not yet fulfilled. When Jesus does come to fulfill it, the remembrance transitions to him. Seems similar to him allowing us to grow with what we have until he gives us more. Key terms that we see in Exodus 12:10-12 are “that night”, “with sandals on”, “belt fastened”, “roasted not boiled”, and “in haste”. It seems to indicate that the attentiveness is not to be on the meal, but rather to be attentive for what he may be directing us to do next. This same posture shows up again in Ephesians 6:15 as “feet fitted with readiness” as part of the armor of God. We lean forward to see what God is going to do next. To be obedient that we might hear his voice calling. To know with a certainty that Jesus fulfills.
“Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.” (Luke 22:20 KJV)