Luke 22:19-20 - The New Covenant

Luke 22:19-20 (ESV)

[19] And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” [20] And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.

It is interesting that in Luke Jesus doesn’t say, “This cup is my blood,” but “this cup is the new covenant in my blood.” Matthew and Mark say, “this is my blood of the covenant.” Jesus is instituting a New Covenant even as he fulfills the old through his death and resurrection. When we observe communion, we are not just remembering Jesus on the cross. We are not just remembering that we, as believers, have been forgiven and washed clean of our sin. We are celebrating the institution of the New Covenant, a covenant of transformed, Holy Spirit empowered lives.

It's a New Covenant. The Old Covenant was one of law. The New Covenant is one of grace. The Old Covenant was one of national blessings for national obedience. The New Covenant is one of individual blessing because of God’s grace. Under the Old Covenant Israel was to be a blessing to the nations. Under the New Covenant believers are to be a blessing to the world. Under the Old Covenant God’s laws were written on tablets of stone. Under the New Covenant we have transformed hearts, the law of God written on our hearts which have been turned from hearts of stone to hearts of flesh. Under the Old Covenant transformation began on the outside. Under the New Covenant transformation begins inside, in the heart. When we observe communion, we are reminding ourselves that our identity is found in Christ. We are new creations in him. We are under the New Covenant.