Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Passover - Jesus the Bread of Life
And as
they were eating Jesus took bread and blessed it, and break it and gave to the
disciples and said, and take eat; this is my body. Then He took the cup, blessed
it and gave to the disciples and said drink; this is my blood. (26,27)
Jesus during
his public ministry instructed His disciples more fully the meaning of His
mission. But they could not guess that their teacher's death was part of God's
sovereign plan, and they would scatter in fear once it happened. The Passover
is an annual celebration in the Jewish community when they remember how God
delivered Israel from slavery in Egypt. Jesus gave them a new way of looking at
God's purposes. Through this Jesus shows that His own mission provides a new
action of redemption, a rescuing of sorts from the slavery of eternal death and
sin. By identifying His own mission with the Passover, Jesus indicates that He
has come to enact the new redemption promised by the prophets.
The Last
Supper was a symbolic act, like the triumphant entry and cleansing of the
temple. The elements of Passover are the bread and wine which Jesus interpreted
as His body and blood. As the disciples gathered that night around the table,
Jesus began to speak. Here Jesus changes the Passover into the Lord’s Supper,
the identification of the broken bread " take, eat , this is my
body", and the wine symbolizing His blood "Drink from it all of
you. That is my blood of the covenant which is poured out for many for the
forgiveness of sins." After the meal they all proceeded to the Garden of
Gethsemane and their lives would never be the same. The meal became a means by
which God would communicate the gospel to us. What was said and done that night,
and what is done each and every time we come as God's people to the table, must
be done with understanding and faith.
One of the
most important factors of communion is the understanding that is Jesus is the
Bread of Life. After the bread was broken and Christ identified himself with
the bread, Christ gives to it to His followers, which we receive. It may seem
simple, but we must not forget that we are the recipients. It is a gift from
God to His people. The wine symbolizes the blood which He poured on Calvary.
This represents the forgiveness of sin. As you know, during Moses’ time, the
animal’s blood was used as a covalent. Through His blood, Jesus makes an
agreement with the believers, granting us eternal life. Holy Communion is not a
ceremony for self satisfaction, but it is a time for repentance and
rededication. This will be the medicine for sick and comfort for the depressed.
When we receive the Holy Eucharist, we receive His presence.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, help us to experience Your
everlasting and enriching presence, through our participation in Your Body and
Blood….Amen
Thought of
the day: Lord Jesus has
given all forgiveness and eternal life, so praise His beloved name.
M. C. Alexander, New Jersey Mar Thoma Church, Randolph