In Matthew 26:26-29 we find these words:

26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” 27 Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. 29 But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.”

Christ was participating with his disciples on the Passover shortly before being delivered by Judas to die on the cross. It was at that time that He established the memorial supper that we know as the Lord’s Supper. Before giving the bread and the cup after the supper, he did something significant that should serve as an example to us today when we participate in that memorial—He gave thanks.

Why does the Scripture say “blessed” about bread but says “gave thanks” in regard to the cup? Perhaps some do not understand the word “blessed” as used in verse 26. Usually when one uses the word, we mean imparting something special to that person or thing. But, in this case, that is not its meaning. Its true meaning is best understood when compared to what we read about the same event in Luke 22:19:

And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”

Here in Luke, instead of the word “blessed” we find the words “gave thanks.” This is not a contradiction, but, rather, what we find in Luke explains what the word “blessed” means in Matthew 26:26. This makes sense when we consider that the word “bless” means “to say good”. Thus we understand that it is not something we do to bread, nor what we should ask God to do, but something we say about the bread. We say that the bread comes from God and that we thank him for it. Blessing and giving thanks, in this context, means the same. Christ also did the same for the cup — the fruit of the vine.

It is important that we recognize that we should give thanks when we carry out the memorial supper every Sunday. When we take the elements in our hands, it is easy to begin to pray and say many things that we have heard others say, such as “God bless this bread.” We should not ask God to bless the bread and the cup. Rather, we should say that God gave it to us and give thanks for it, just as Christ did. Also easy to start saying many words about the meaning of what we are about to do, or perhaps asking God to help us take it with dignity with a mind focused on what we are doing. That is good, but it is not what Christ did. We must not forget to do mainly what Christ did — to give thanks for the bread and then for the fruit of the vine. This may not seem very important to some, but it really is, if we are to follow the example of Christ! Yes, even before receiving our daily meals, we give thanks for what we receive as it says in 1 Timothy 4:4-5:

4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; 5 for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

So, let’s remind ourselves of the need to give thanks for the bread and the cup when we take the supper in memory of what our Lord Jesus did for us.