Have you ever thought about Jesus’ strange words?
Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, ‘Take, eat, this is my body.’ Matthew 26:26
Lord God,
We confess, I too often read past Jesus’ profound words
to his disciples without stopping to think
how revolutionary they were (and still are).
The disciples were enjoying a Passover meal with Jesus.
(They didn’t know it would be their last Passover with Jesus.)
At Passover, the head of household
recounted the day the Lord “passed over” the Israelites
when he rescued them from the Egyptians.
On that day, the Israelites marked their door frames
with the blood of a lamb,
the sign to pass over that house
and spare the firstborn sons (Exodus 12:12-13).
Now Jesus says to his disciples,
“I am becoming that lamb offering;
I will be the substitute who takes the penalty for your sins.”
In our day, after Jesus’ death and resurrection,
the cup of communion and the breaking of the bread
are the sign and seal of his eternal blessing on us.
May we settle our hearts in the hope and security
this meal promises to every believer.
In the name of Jesus’ holy blood and body. Amen.
Read Matthew 26:17-29.
