From my reading in Luke 22:1-30 in the One Year New Testament.
The Jewish system was one that involved sacrificing animals in order to atone for sins. Jesus was celebrating passover with his disciples.
Passover is the celebration of when God used Moses to free the Israelites from slavery in Egypt.
In the first passover, they killed a spotless lamb and smeared the blood on the doors of the Jewish houses. When the angel of death saw the blood of the lamb on the door it would “pass-over” the house.
Later, God gave Moses specific instructions on how to sacrifice animals in the temple to atone for sins in “the law.” This is known as the Old Covenant.
The Lamb At The Table
This passover was different, because Jesus himself was “the lamb of God” who was going to sacrifice himself for our sins.
When Jesus was celebrating the passover meal, there is no mention of a lamb on the table. It may have been that it was because the lamb was at the table!
Jesus is the perfect sacrifice for our sins!
Do This In Remembrance of Me
When Jesus gave us the practices of “The Lord’s Supper,” first he broke bread and gave it to his disciples saying,
“This is my body, which is given for you. Do this to remember me.” Luke 22:19
After they ate the meal, he gave them a cup of wine saying,
“This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you.” Luke 22:20
A covenant is an agreement between two parties with benefits and responsibilities. Through Christ, God was setting up a new system. Christ’s sacrifice is the only one we need.
We no longer sacrifice animals because Jesus was the perfect lamb. His blood was shed, covers the “door” of our hearts, and washes our sin away.
He is the only true, sufficient sacrifice and to receive forgiveness we must accept his sacrifice for us!
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