THANKS FOR THE BLOOD

(Matthew 26:27-28)

Matthew 26:27-28 reads, “27) And he took a cup, and when he had given
thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28) for this is my
blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of
sins. What an amazing passage of Scripture.

This passage flies in the face of modern theology that wants to do away
with the idea that Christ died for sin so as not to offend 21st century
sensibilities. Typical is theologian Joanne Carlson Brown who says “We
must do away with the atonement, this idea of a blood sin upon the whole
human race that can be washed away only by the blood of the lamb. . . .
We do not need to be saved by Jesus’ death.” My question is, did the
message of the Bible suddenly change? Did God get a better idea? No –
but apparently we think we did – and we find our idea more palatable.

God’s opinion is that Jesus died on purpose according to His eternal plan,
making redemption available to all who would believe. Concerning this
understanding of the gospel, one writer commented in the June 10, 2010
issue of the Greeley Tribune, “The first problem I have with this model is
that it essentially negates Jesus’ life, everything he said or did before his
death has nothing to do with salvation. The second problem is it turns
God into a child abuser, one who requires the death of his~her only son.”

First problem first. Is it true a substitutionary atonement “negates Jesus’

life?” Not according to the Bible. All the biblical imagery and teaching
about needing a perfect lamb for sacrifice is summarized in the words of
Hebrews 5:8, “Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what
he suffered. 9 (Now listen) And being made perfect (made perfect – how?
By his life!), he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey
him.” It was, in fact, Christ’s sinless life that qualified Him to die in our
place. Had he sinned or even had he died without being fully tested, his
death would have been ineffective. The comment that “everything he said
or did before his death has nothing to do with salvation” reflects either an
ignorance of Scripture or willful disregard for its teaching.

How about the second point – that substitutionary atonement makes God a
child abuser for forcing the death of his – or her – only Son. Is that true?
Well, the only way that could have been true would be if the Father asked
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the Son to die for nothing, or to die when there was some other way, right?
But the Bible is very clear that there was no other way! Heb 9:22,
“Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.” Whose
blood was required? Jesus’, of course. I John 1:7, “ the blood of Jesus his
Son cleanses us from all sin.” Heb 9:12, “12) he entered once for all into the
holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of
his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.” How can we miss
this message? The Father did not ask the Son to die for nothing; he asked
him to die for something – your salvation and mine.

Which brings us back to our text: 27) “And he took a cup, and when he had
given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28) for this is
my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness
of sins.” I am staggered every time I read that Jesus, knowing full well
what was about to transpire gave thanks – he gave thanks, Folks, as he
passed around the wine which represented the blood that he was about to
shed for real in a just a few hours. Child abuse? No – it was the ultimate
demonstration of love. Without this act, we would be hopelessly lost.

Why would he give thanks? We know his soul shrank from the separation
from the Father that he knew was coming. So why did he give thanks?
Verse 29: “I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that
day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” Jesus was
looking forward. He gave thanks because he knew his shed blood was the
only way – the only way he would see these men whom he loved in his
Father’s kingdom. The message hasn’t changed. All that has changed is
our failure to recognize the awesome holiness of God and our own extreme
sin of pride and ego and rebellion – our worship of self.

That’s why the message of redemption also comes with a warning. Heb
10:29, “How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the
one who has spurned the Son of God, and (watch this now) has profaned
the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the
Spirit of grace?” By spurning Christ, we profane the very thing for which
Christ gave thanks -- the blood of the covenant. We can do that – now! We
can because in the words of Peter God “is patient toward you, not wishing
that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 10 But the day of
the Lord will come like a thief.” And when that day comes, the writer of
Hebrews reminds us, “31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the
living God.” Would you want to fall into the hands of the living God
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having profaned the very thing Christ gave thanks for? Having rejected the
awesome gift of His own Son at such price?

A young family was expecting their first child. The doctor suggested that
the husband join the wife in taking a course on childbirth. He asked the
husband if he would mind going to the class. The husband responded,
“Heavens, no! After all, I don’t have to take the final.” That is the
message of the cross, folks. Christ took the final for us – became sin for us
that we might become the perfect, cleansed righteousness of God in Him.
If we will accept Him. But it came at great price to God. To reject it – is
unthinkable. Jesus took the cup and gave thanks. I hope that you will join
me in thanking Jesus for taking the cup. Let’s pray.