The Lamb’s Supper, Lesson 3.4

The Lamb's Supper: The Bible and the Mass

Lesson Three: One Sacrifice for All Time

Lesson Objectives

  1. To understand the death of Jesus Christ on the cross as a sacrifice.
  2. To see the parallels between the Old Testament sacrifices and the sacrifice of Christ on the cross.
  3. To understand how that sacrifice is re-presented to us in the Mass.

IV. Study Questions

1. Why did Christian and Jewish interpreters conclude that Isaac must have gone willingly to his own sacrifice?
2. Why is it significant that Pilate sent Jesus to His death at "about noon" on the day of preparation?
3. To what Old Testament sacrifice do Jesus' words "my blood of the covenant" refer?
4. Why does John take such care to point out that none of Jesus' bones were broken?
5. How many times is the sacrifice of Christ offered?
6. What is the difference between "representing" and "re-presenting" Christ's sacrifice?

For prayer and reflection:
  • Do you remember the story of the first Passover? (See Exodus 12.) At Sunday Mass, try relating the Passover - the salvation of Israel's firstborn - to the drama of salvation being enacted in front of you.
  • Do you "discern the body" in the Eucharist? Read 1 Corinthians 11:23-32 again. Consider reading the Passion narrative in John, especially John 19:13-37, as a preparation before Mass.

    • Begin Lesson 4

    Lesson Outline

    1. Worthy is the Lamb
      1. The Titles of Jesus
      2. The Lamb of God
    2. Jesus, The Final and Perfect Sacrifice
      1. Jesus and Isaac
      2. Jesus the Passover Lamb
      3. Jesus and the Todah
    3. Christ's Sacrifice and the Mass
      1. Covenant Love
      2. The Order of Melchizedek
      3. One Eternal Sacrifice
      4. Representing the Cross
      5. Priests Offering Sacrifice
    4. Study Questions

    Other Lessons

    • Lesson One: A Biblical Introduction to the Mass
      • Lesson Objectives
      1. 1. To understand basic Catholic beliefs about the relationship between the Bible and the Liturgy.
      2. To understand the biblical basis for the Mass.
      3. To understand how in the Mass, the written text of the Bible becomes Living Word.

      Begin Lesson One

    • Lesson Two: Given for You - The Old Testament Story of Sacrifice
      • Lesson Objectives
      1. To understand the biblical background to the Penitential Rite and the Gloria in the Mass.
      2. To understand how God is worshipped in the Old Testament.
      3. To understand the biblical notion of sacrifice as it is presented in the Old Testament.

      Begin Lesson Two

    • Lesson Three: One Sacrifice for All Time
      • Lesson Objectives
      1. To understand the death of Jesus Christ on the cross as a sacrifice.
      2. To see the parallels between the Old Testament sacrifices and the sacrifice of Christ on the cross.
      3. To understand how that sacrifice is re-presented to us in the Mass.

      Begin Lesson Three

    • Lesson Five: Heaven On Earth: The Liturgy of the Eucharist
      • Lesson Objectives
      1. To understand the deep biblical foundations for the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
      2. To see how the Book of Revelation describes the liturgy of heaven.
      3. To understand how the Mass we celebrate on earth is a participation in the liturgy of heaven.

      Begin Lesson Five

    • Lesson Six: Memory and Presence: Communion as the Coming of Christ
      • Lesson Objectives
      1. To understand the deep biblical foundations of Jesus’ command that the Eucharist be celebrated “in memory of Me.”
      2. To see how Scripture portrays Jesus as the Passover Lamb and how that portrayal is reflected in the Mass.
      3. To understand the Eucharist as parousia, the “coming” of Christ, and as the “daily bread” we pray for in the Our Father.

      Begin Lesson Six