The Words of Institution
Overview
The “Words of Institution” refer to Jesus’ actions and words at the Last Supper, where He instituted the Eucharist as a New Covenant meal. These words connect deeply with Jewish sacrificial traditions, especially the Passover
- Historical and Biblical Background
- In both Jewish and Gentile traditions, sacrifices were followed by a feast on the sacrificed victim.
- Eating the sacrifice signified covenantal participation with God.
- The Passover was the most significant Old Testament sacrifice:
- The lamb was slain as a propitiatory offering.
- Protection came only to those who both:
- Sprinkled the blood on their doorposts.
- Ate the lamb (Exodus 12:1–14).
- Jesus Replaces the Passover
- On the night He was betrayed (and per Jewish reckoning, the day of His death), Jesus:
- Ate the Passover with His disciples.
- Instituted the Eucharist—a new commemorative meal.
- Elements used:
-
- Unleavened Bread – always present at Passover.
- Wine – four cups traditionally used; the third was the “Cup of Blessing.”
- Jesus transformed the symbols:
-
- Bread = “My Body”
- Wine = “My Blood”
- These replaced the lamb as the central focus.
- The Three-Part Structure of Institution
- Blessing (Sanctification)
“Jesus took bread and blessed it”
(See Matthew 26:26; Mark 14:22)
- Jewish custom: head of household blessed the bread—this act was called “Kiddush” (sanctification).
- Jesus’ blessing:
- Changed the bread in purpose and holiness, not in substance.
- Set it apart for a sacred, sacramental use.
- Declaration
“This is My Body… This is My Blood of the new covenant”
(See Matthew 26:26–28; Luke 22:19–20; 1 Cor. 11:24–25)
- Declared a spiritual reality, not a physical transformation.
- Comparison:
- Paschal Lamb = eaten as a symbol of deliverance from Egypt.
- Eucharist = eaten as a spiritual participation in Christ, our true Sacrifice.
- Language note:
- Jesus used figurative language, similar to “I am the door,” “the field is the world,” etc.
- Christ is truly present—but spiritually, not physically.
- Command
“Do this in remembrance of Me”
(Luke 22:19; 1 Cor. 11:24)
- Like the Passover was repeated annually, this meal was to be repeated to:
- Remember Christ.
- Proclaim His death until He comes again.
- Not a new sacrifice, but a memorial of the one true Sacrifice.
- Summary: What Is the Eucharist?
| Aspect | Passover | Eucharist |
| Victim | Lamb | Christ |
| Blood | On doorposts | In the cup |
| Purpose | Deliverance from Egypt | Deliverance from sin and death |
| Meal | Flesh of lamb | Bread and wine, Christ’s Body and Blood |
| Type of Participation | Carnal/ritual | Spiritual/real |
| Repetition | Annually | “As often as you do this…” |
- Key Takeaways
- The Eucharist is a feast upon the one true Sacrifice.
- The blessing sets apart the elements.
- The declaration affirms a real spiritual feeding on Christ.
- The command calls us to repeat it as a remembrance and proclamation.
- We are God’s covenant people, sealed through Christ’s blood, united by this sacred meal.