How does Matthew 26:27 connect to Old Testament sacrificial practices? Matthew 26:27 in Context “Then He took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you.’” (Matthew 26:27) • Spoken at the Passover meal on the night before the crucifixion • Introduces the new covenant that His impending sacrifice will seal Passover Roots: Exodus 12 and the Lamb • Passover required an unblemished lamb; its blood protected Israel’s firstborn (Exodus 12:5–13) • Wine was integral to the Passover liturgy; the third cup—often called the “cup of redemption”—is most closely aligned with Jesus’ words • Just as lamb’s blood spared Israel, Jesus’ blood secures deliverance from sin Blood Ratification Echo: Exodus 24 • Moses divided sacrificial blood, half on the altar, half sprinkled on the people (Exodus 24:6–8) • He declared, “This is the blood of the covenant that the LORD has made with you” (v. 8) • Jesus echoes the formula in Matthew 26:28, grounding His cup in the same covenant-ratifying pattern Levitical Atonement Principles • “For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for your souls” (Leviticus 17:11) • Sin offerings (Leviticus 4) and the Day of Atonement rites (Leviticus 16) required blood to be poured out before God • Jesus identifies His own blood as the once-for-all atonement those offerings prefigured (Hebrews 9:11–14) Prophetic Foreshadow: Isaiah 53 • “He was pierced for our transgressions… and by His stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5) • The Suffering Servant’s self-giving anticipates the cup of Matthew 26:27, showing divine intention throughout Scripture Fulfillment Summarized • Substitution: Passover lamb → Christ the Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7) • Covenant: Sinai blood-sprinkling → cup of the new covenant • Atonement: Levitical sacrifices → Jesus’ once-for-all offering • Fellowship: Shared cup signals believers’ communion with God and with one another (1 Corinthians 10:16) Living Implications • Every Communion cup recalls the entire Old Testament sacrificial storyline fulfilled in Jesus • The literal shedding of His blood satisfies God’s righteous requirement, offers forgiveness, and seals an unbreakable covenant with all who believe |
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