Tuesday 25 August, 2015

22 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take it; this is my body.” 23 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it. 24 “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them. 25 “Truly I tell you, I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”

For Jesus, this is a final moment of fellowship with His twelve disciples [Matt 26:18, Luke 22:14-16]. They gathered around the table in an upper room for the Passover, & His Last Supper.

The Last Supper [or Communion] was meant to be different to the Jewish Passover. In the Passover observance, they partook of roasted lamb, unleavened bread, bitter herbs (Ex. 12:8-20), and the cup. But when the Lord institutes the Lord’s Supper, He only gives the bread, & the fruit of the vine. That is because the Lord was replacing an Old Covenant ordinance with a New Covenant ordinance.

When we observe the Lord’s Supper, we should examine ourselves before we eat or drink. [1 Cor 11:28]

[1] We remember that as we confess to our Father any sin in our life we receive His gift of forgiveness, and we are cleansed by the blood of Jesus [1 John 1:9].

[2] We remember that these elements are meant to be the essence of our life in and with Christ. We are completely united with him.

[3] We are reminded that we are partakers of the benefits of the sacrifice of Jesus. The Kingdom He established is ours to enjoy by faith in Him. The bread speaks of Him being our life source as we live in him. The juice represents the source of our cleansing and forgiveness.

Lord, thank you for the privilege of partaking of your life. We seek the filling of the Holy Spirit so that our life in you is worthy of the sacrifice you made for us.

Written by Keith Bennett