The different texts on the Lord’s Supper exegete each other. For example: “for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.” (Matthew 26:28)

But then look at this: “This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood.” (Luke 22:20)

And St. Paul: “This cup is the new covenant in My blood.” (1 Cor. 11:25)

One text says, “This is my blood of the covenant,” while the others say, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood.” If we maintain that the word blood is used only figuratively, then it must be used figuratively in all three texts. However, this presents a problem. If the word blood is figurative in the first text (“This is my blood of the covenant”), then there is a problem with the other two texts (“This cup is the new covenant in My blood”), for then it would have Jesus saying that the new covenant is “in” a figure, i.e., the figure of His blood. How can the covenant be in a figure? It cannot. It must be in real blood. The New Covenant is based on the actual shed blood of Jesus Christ, not the figure of His blood. And if the new covenant is based on His actual blood that was poured out, then the “blood of the covenant” must also be His actual blood, His covenant blood.

Therefore, the usage of the word blood in the first instance must be literal.