26. Jesus, in the Night of His Betrayal

1. Jesus, in the night of His betrayal,
When in love He formed His covenant new,
Freely, in unbounded self-denial,
Gave His life for us as offering due;
Then our Lord, to show the covenant union
Of the members of His blest communion,
Gave to them this feast of love and peace,
To remind them of their soul’s release.

2. When the Paschal Lamb had been partaken,
He took bread, gave thanks, and broke the bread,
Gave it to His own to eat as token
Of the Paschal Lamb, and then He said:
“Take ye it! This is My body, given,
Into death for all of you, from heaven;
In remembrance of My death, this do;
A memorial of My grace to you!”

3. Afterwards when they the bread had broken
And unto the Father thanks had said,
That they had received the gracious taken
To partake the food that had been spread.
Then the Savior took the cup of blessing,
To the Father His deep thanks confessing,
Gave to His disciples at the board:
“Take this cup and drink it,” said the Lord.

4. “This cup is the blood of my New Covenant;
For the sins of man it was brought;
In it lies the power of My New Covenant,
Which by means to this, My blood, was wrought.”
This His blood, for our salvation given
On the cross, has made us hears of heaven;
This cup a memorial shall be,
That this blood from sins hath made us free.

5. His blood purifies the congregation
Of His children whom He did atone,
Whom He loved sincerely ere creation,
He to them says: “Ye are Mine alone!”
Constantly His Church He is adorning,
And His faithfulness is new each morning,
His good Spirit giveth He as seal,
As His sacred promises reveal.

6. Come ten to the feast of His New Cov’nant,
Members of His Church, your faith renew;
Thank the Founder of this precious Cov’nant
Through the chalice He pours out for you.
Here your hands in faithfulness uniting
And the fire of brother-love new lighting,
Let your common prayers rise to His Throne,
Thank and praise Him who hath made you one!

7. By their love His members are united
In a union godly and devout;
All who love their holy vows have plighted;
All who do not love belong without.
In their love this blessed meal is taken,
In their love they shall abide unshaken;
Many members are as one arrayed,
As from many grain one bread is made.

8. Therefore, when ye to your Master’s glory
Come to keep this holy feast of love,
Ye must truly hear salvation’s story,
Joining those whose homeland is above!
Then true love will heart to heart bind ever,
And no discord will this union sever;
One in Jesus Christ they all shall be,
- He the Head of His community!

9. There is life and there is peace and gladness,
There contentment, grace, and mercy flow;
There the light of Jesus scatters sadness,
Shining with a soft and blesséd glow.
O who would not joy in this salvation,
Yearn to dwell within that habitation
Where the Light of life shines full and free,
Giving men new life and liberty!