We know that the Lord Jesus is the one who established this meal, but when did He do so. He did this in the general context of the Passover meal, but there is also a distinction made. Luke tells us that He presented the cup of the new testament “after supper” (Luke 22:20). But He had also given a new covenant meaning to the cup in the course of the Supper (v. 17). And the bread He broke was in the course of the Supper as well (v. 19). So He looked forward to eating the Supper with His disciples (v. 15), longing for it. He declared it during the Supper, and He anchored after the Supper with the cup of the new testament in his blood. All of time is encompassed in this meal, past, present, and future.
In the words of institution, we learn something else about when He instituted the meal. In the same night in which he was betrayed . . . He took bread. This meal was established in the context of treachery and double-dealing. This is not a pristine meal; this is not a Supper for those who have fortunately “arrived.” This is a meal established in the middle of our unholy and decentered world. The meal is given in order to reestablish the true center, but this is not accomplished without conflict or resistance.
The resistance comes in many forms. Some are openly treacherous and abandon their vows. Some overanalyze it. Some retreat into morbid introspection. Some come under false pretences. None of this should surprise us. If the Lord could institute this meal the same night He was betrayed, then surely we can observe it though thousands betray Him to this day. Let God be true and every man a liar.
Sin does not wreck this story; it is part of the story. God anticipates it; He knows all about it. He deals with it. It is a central part of the whole point. The Lord looked forward to the meal, longing for it, even though He knew about the treachery, knowing it completely. Why do we somehow think His ways have changed?