While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying,  “Take and eat; this is my body.  Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you.  This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.  I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

Because we are Gentiles and Christians, we would not understand these words the way Jesus’ Jewish followers would.  “this is my blood of the covenant…”   This is the central theme of the covenant between God and Israel.  There can be no forgiveness of sin without the shedding of blood, i.e., bulls, goats, lambs, etc.

In this upper room, Jesus offered them the cup, the Holy Spirit recorded His words for all eternity, and Jesus spoke to  them: this is my blood, poured out upon mankind for the forgiveness of sin.   As in the days of Moses, when the blood of the lamb on the Hebrew doorposts signaled the angel of death to pass over them in Egypt, Jesus is saying that He is the blood on the doorpost of their hearts. Claiming Him as Saviour, believing His blood is on the doorpost of our hearts,  we will not perish, but have life in Him.