Here’s the setting: Jesus is a few hours from his crucifixion and his disciples are still clueless as to what’s about to happen. On the calendar, it was the Jewish celebration of Passover. So, Jesus calls his disciples together to celebrate the Passover meal. This would be His “last supper” and would become the model for us every time we come to the Lord’s Table to take communion.
There’s a set order to the Jewish Passover meal. It progresses through certain foods, and certain cups with specific scripture readings and hymns in between each selection of food and drink. Jesus would have been following that protocol as we come to Matthew 26. Let’s look at it.
Matthew 26:26-30 NLT
26 As they were eating, Jesus took some bread and blessed it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take this and eat it, for this is my body.”
27 And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them and said, “Each of you drink from it, 28 for this is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many. 29 Mark my words—I will not drink wine again until the day I drink it new with you in my Father’s Kingdom.”
30 Then they sang a hymn and went out to the Mount of Olives.
When we read this, our focus is usually on the earlier verses and the last one seems like an insignificant detail. It’s not.
30 Then they sang a hymn and went out to the Mount of Olives.
We will focus our attention on verse 30 today. That's why this message is titled: He Sang a Hymn and Went Out
