"While they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after a blessing, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, 'Take, eat; this is My body.' And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, 'Drink from it, all of you...'"
–Matthew 26:25-27 (NASB)
"...Jesus took some bread, and after a blessing..."
With what specific words of blessing did Jesus give thanks for the bread? This appears a small and insignificant detail, and the specifics are not recorded by Matthew, so how could we even know? Although unknown to most non-Jews, almost certainly He said:
"Baruch atah Adonai, Elohaynu melech ha-olam, hamotzi lechem min ha-aretz!"
(or translated into English),
"Blessed are You, O LORD our God, King of the Universe, Who brings forth bread from the earth!"
"...And when He had taken a cup and given thanks..."
Again, with what words, precisely, did He give thanks for the cup? Our Jewish brothers know that, most likely, He said:
"Baruch atah Adonai Elohaynu melech ha-olam, boray p'ree haggafen!"
(or translated into English),
"Blessed are You, O LORD our God, King of the Universe, Creator of the fruit of the vine!"
Jews all over the earth, and for thousands of years, have declared these words (albeit in Hebrew) to bless and give thanks for bread and for wine. Jews, even today, thank God for their daily meals with these same thoughts and words. Beyond a reasonable doubt, Jesus, Who lived as a Jew of Jews, commonly used these prayers of thanksgiving and blessing.
When we thank God for bringing forth bread from the earth, we remember the Son, who spent three days in the earth, buried as a dead man in our place. And God raised Him again to life and brought Him forth from the earth, for our sakes and for His glory– Jesus the Son, our Bread of Life, our Afikomen.
When we thank God for creating the fruit of the vine, we remember the cup of God's wrath that Jesus drank for us, that we might not have to drink it. And we remember His blood that was poured out for us that we might not have to pour out our own to satisfy God's well-placed wrath.
Blessed are You, O LORD our God, King of the Universe, Who knows our every need and fills us with every good thing!
>>> (except for quotations) All text and images are Copyright, Bill Brockmeier, 2015. All rights reserved.
"Blessed are You, O LORD our God, King of the Universe, Who brings forth bread from the earth!"
"...And when He had taken a cup and given thanks..."
Again, with what words, precisely, did He give thanks for the cup? Our Jewish brothers know that, most likely, He said:
"Baruch atah Adonai Elohaynu melech ha-olam, boray p'ree haggafen!"
(or translated into English),
"Blessed are You, O LORD our God, King of the Universe, Creator of the fruit of the vine!"
Jews all over the earth, and for thousands of years, have declared these words (albeit in Hebrew) to bless and give thanks for bread and for wine. Jews, even today, thank God for their daily meals with these same thoughts and words. Beyond a reasonable doubt, Jesus, Who lived as a Jew of Jews, commonly used these prayers of thanksgiving and blessing.
When we thank God for bringing forth bread from the earth, we remember the Son, who spent three days in the earth, buried as a dead man in our place. And God raised Him again to life and brought Him forth from the earth, for our sakes and for His glory– Jesus the Son, our Bread of Life, our Afikomen.
When we thank God for creating the fruit of the vine, we remember the cup of God's wrath that Jesus drank for us, that we might not have to drink it. And we remember His blood that was poured out for us that we might not have to pour out our own to satisfy God's well-placed wrath.
Blessed are You, O LORD our God, King of the Universe, Who knows our every need and fills us with every good thing!
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>>> (except for quotations) All text and images are Copyright, Bill Brockmeier, 2015. All rights reserved.
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