When we look at the Last Supper, it’s easy to think of it simply as a historical event, but what if there’s something much deeper going on? Imagine sitting there with Jesus, hearing Him say, “This is the cup of the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you” (Luke 22:20). There’s a weight to those words that often gets overlooked. It’s not just a farewell or a ceremonial gesture. No, it’s a proposal. Jesus is asking us to enter into a covenant with Him—one that mirrors the Jewish betrothal process of that time.
In ancient Jewish culture, when a man wanted to marry a woman, there was a tradition that he and his father would travel to her home to negotiate the bride price with her father. This wasn’t just a small sum—it was significant, like buying a house in today’s terms. Once the price was agreed upon, the father of the groom would hand his son a cup of wine. This was a pivotal moment. The son would offer the cup to the woman, saying, “I offer you this cup.” Essentially, he was saying, “I’m giving you my life; will you marry me?” The woman then had the choice to either accept or reject the proposal. If she accepted, she would take the cup, drink from it, and in doing so, she was saying, “I accept your life, and I give you mine in return.”
Does that sound familiar? It should. Because that’s exactly what Jesus is doing at the Last Supper. When He offers the cup to His disciples, He’s offering more than just wine. He’s offering Himself. He’s saying, “I love you. I give you my life. Will you give me yours?” This changes the dynamic of communion, doesn’t it? It’s not just about remembering Jesus’ death. It’s about entering into a relationship, a covenant with Him—a marriage of sorts, where we are invited to become the bride of Christ.
Think about it. This isn’t just a metaphor. Jesus, in His divine nature, wants to be in a covenantal relationship with us. When He went to the cross, He was paying the ultimate bride price. And it wasn’t cheap. The Bible tells us in 1 Peter 1:18-19 that, “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed…but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.” Jesus didn’t just offer something of material value; He offered His very life, His blood.
When we take communion, we are essentially being given the same choice that the bride had in ancient Jewish culture. We can either accept or reject the offer. Jesus is holding out the cup and saying, “Will you take it? Will you enter into this covenant with me? Will you give me your life as I’ve given you mine?”
But here’s the thing about covenants—they come with commitment. When we drink the cup, we’re saying, “Jesus, I accept your life, and in return, I give you mine.” This isn’t just a casual relationship. It’s not something we do lightly. Just like in marriage, it’s a lifelong commitment. It’s saying, “I’m all in. I’m giving you everything—my hopes, my dreams, my fears, my failures.” It’s a surrender of self, trusting that Jesus will take our brokenness and make it whole.
And Jesus knew exactly what He was offering when He held up that cup. Remember in the Garden of Gethsemane when He prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42)? Jesus wasn’t just talking about the physical suffering of the cross, though that was a part of it. He was talking about the full weight of what He was about to do. He was about to bear the sin of the world. He was about to take on our shame, our guilt, our punishment. That was the cup He was willing to drink for us. And in doing so, He was laying down His life so that we might have life.
John 15:13 says, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” That’s what Jesus did. He laid down His life for you and for me, not because we deserved it, but because He loves us. This is the price He paid, and it’s far more than anything we could ever imagine or repay.
So, what does that mean for us today? When we take communion, we aren’t just remembering a historical event. We’re stepping into a covenant with the living God. We’re accepting the life He offers us, and we’re giving Him our lives in return. But here’s the beautiful part—this isn’t just a one-time decision. It’s a daily commitment. Every day, we have the opportunity to say, “Jesus, I’m giving you my life again today. I’m trusting you with my future, my plans, my relationships, my everything.”
It’s easy to look at this and feel unworthy. After all, who are we to enter into a covenant with the Creator of the universe? Who are we to deserve such love, such sacrifice? But that’s the beauty of grace. Ephesians 2:8-9 reminds us, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” It’s not about what we’ve done or what we can offer. It’s about what Jesus has done and what He offers us. All we have to do is accept it.
The question is, will we? Will we take the cup? Will we say yes to Jesus, knowing that it’s not just a casual decision but a life-altering commitment? Will we give Him our lives in return for the life He gave for us?
And this isn’t something we do on our own strength. Jesus didn’t leave us to figure it out by ourselves. He promised us the Holy Spirit to guide us, to empower us, to help us live out this covenant. In John 14:26, Jesus says, “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” We’re not alone in this journey. Jesus is with us every step of the way, leading us, strengthening us, and helping us to live out the commitment we’ve made.
So as we reflect on the Last Supper and what Jesus did for us, let’s not take it lightly. Let’s remember that it’s not just about what happened 2,000 years ago—it’s about what’s happening today. Jesus is still offering us the cup. He’s still asking us to enter into a covenant with Him. And we still have a choice to make.
Will we say yes? Will we give Him our lives as He gave us His? Will we trust that the price He paid is enough?
Because when we do, we’re not just entering into a covenant—we’re entering into life, and life to the full. John 10:10 tells us, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” This is what Jesus offers. It’s more than a cup of wine; it’s a cup of life, a cup of love, a cup of grace. And all we have to do is drink.