In Matthew 26:17-29, we read of the Lord and His disciples observing the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which was part of the Passover observance. There are a few things we can think about regarding this time they spent together.
The Feast of Unleavened Bread is described in Exodus 12:15-20. It lasted for seven days. Matthew states that they wanted to prepare for this feast, which came a day after the actual Passover meal. The Passover would fall on Wednesday and this meal would be on Thursday. The preparation mentioned would be finding a suitable place that had already gone through taking out all leaven. They were following Exodus 12.
An occasion that was intended to be a remembrance of that final plague in Egypt and the salvation of the Hebrews from death (a likeness of Jesus’ sacrifice to deliver us from spiritual death) was soured by Jesus telling the disciples that someone would betray Him. None of them could believe it and even asked, “Is it I, Lord?” They couldn’t see their fellow disciples betraying Him and even asked about themselves. A special occasion with love for the Lord and dedication to keeping the law is interrupted with this exchange and they were distressed by it. When Judas asks, “Is it I, Rabbi?” Jesus responds. “You have said so.” Judas had already made an offer to the chief priests (verse 14). He had already thought of it. John adds to this in John 13:30 that Judas goes out immediately.
When we get to Matthew 26:26-29, we read of Jesus partaking of the unleavened bread and also instituting the Lord’s Supper. We learn of the elements – the unleavened bread and the fruit of the vine – from this context. He was taking a special observance from the Passover in the Old Testament and and giving us a new observance that is even more special under the New Covenant. An observance that sees the true Passover in which Christ is our Passover lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7). We partake of that special observance each Lord’s Day (the first day of the week, the day He arose from the dead). The Lord’s Supper is a remembrance of that sacrifice to deliver us from death (Hebrews 2:14-15). What an important thing to remember!
Jesus partook of that unleavened bread and fruit of the vine. He was betrayed, mocked, abused, scourged, and crucified — according to the plan of God (Ephesians 1:9-10). He was 3 days in the earth (tomb) and He arose on the third day, appearing to His apostles and over 500 others (1 Corinthians 15:3-8). Then He ascended to Heaven (Acts 1:6-11) and we await His return. Let’s be ready!