“For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins” (Matt. 26:28).
It was time for the celebration of the Passover. Jesus had gathered His disciples in the upper room to celebrate this event one last time before the crucifixion. The elements of the Passover provided the perfect opportunity to speak of the new covenant which would soon be available through His sacrificial death. Jesus first describes the bread of the Passover as His body. This no doubt points to His violent death on the cross. The words uttered over the cup have an unmistakable connection to Old Testament sacrificial language. The reference to the blood and the phrase “for many” identifies the “pouring out” with the image of the Suffering Servant of Isaiah 53:12.
The imagery of the entire evening points to the vicarious suffering required for the redemption of God’s people. The use of the phrase “the many” (cf. Matt. 20:28) does not suggest that God’s redemption was in any way lacking. At Qumran and in some rabbinic writings “the many” is a term for the covenant community. Thus Jesus’ mission to save His people from their sins (Matt. 1:21) is now shown to be accomplished by His death on the cross. Thus “the many” refers to all who avail themselves to the forgiveness made possible through the death of the sinless Son of God.
Thus these words, rich in Old Testament imagery, indicate that Jesus has inaugurated the new relationship between God and His people to which the prophets looked forward. This new community will consist of those who appropriate His sacrificial death, seen in the taking of the bread and the cup of the new covenant. Have you claimed Christ for the remission of your sins?
Prayer: Father, thank you for the new covenant made possible by the death and resurrection of Your Son. Amen.