“And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way, after the supper, he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.’” Luke 22:19-20
The Last Supper is a remembrance wrapped in a remembrance. Annually, the ancient Israelites recognized Passover by serving a sacrificial lamb to remember when God delivered them from Egyptian slavery. At the Last Supper, this annual celebration was about to take on a whole new meaning. During the meal, the disciples ate bread and drank wine with Jesus to foreshadow His broken body and His blood that would be shed for their sins, adding another level of significance. Now they were to observe the Passover in “remembrance of me.”
As Christ-followers, we are to do the same. Without Jesus’ sacrifice, we wouldn’t have the hope of God’s deliverance or salvation. As we move closer to the day of Jesus’ death, not only should we remember what He gave, but who it was for – everyone! This includes all the people around us dying in sin. Reach out to them with Jesus’ message of salvation and hope because, after all, affecting the forever is what the Lord’s Supper is all about!
Today, take a moment to pause and reflect on how you would have responded had you been one of the disciples reclining at the table, listening to Jesus. Then, consider the significance of the bread, the cup, and the sacrifice Jesus made for you, and thank Him!
Dear Lord, Words cannot express just how grateful I am to You. The extent of Your love is unknowable, but I do know this: Jesus died so that I may live! Help me to remember this as I encounter lost people. Provide opportunities for me to share the reason for my hope. In Jesus’ name, Amen.