OUT WITH THE OLD…
Opening Prayer
As I read your Word today, loving Father, I want to hear your voice instructing me, encouraging me, challenging me. Thank you for your Spirit who speaks to me through it; I am listening.
Read LUKE 22:14–23
14 When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. 15 And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.”
17 After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. 18 For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”
19 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.”
20 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.[a] 21 But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table. 22 The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed. But woe to that man who betrays him!” 23 They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this.
Footnotes
- Luke 22:20 Some manuscripts do not have given for you … poured out for you.
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Eating together is an important part of the life of the church. Thank God for the gift of food and consider inviting someone to come for a meal soon.It is very clear in today’s reading that Jesus knew his time was at hand (vv. 15, 16). He had eagerly anticipated this special meal that marked the end of an era—not just in his life on earth, but for all those who would believe in him.
The Passover meal was instituted in Exodus 12 as a meal of thanksgiving for God’s deliverance of his people from Egypt. But at this celebration, Jesus revealed the beginning of a new covenant, marked by a new feast.
In the old feast, a perfect lamb was sacrificed on behalf of the people. Its blood was poured out and painted on the doorposts. Those who came under this symbolic ‘covering’ of the blood of the lamb would be saved from destruction (Exodus 12:22, 23).
Now Jesus was saying the old covenant was passing away, to be replaced by a new and better one (v. 20). This one would be made with his own blood and would be open to everyone who believed in him. We who accept Christ come under the protective covering of his blood, and we celebrate that through the new ‘feast’ of Communion.
Apply
Be intentional about your thoughts of remembrance and anticipation when you next take communion.
Closing prayer
Father God, thank you for sending your Son as our perfect sacrifice. Lord Jesus, thank you for taking on flesh, being broken and poured out for us. Holy Spirit, thank you for empowering us to accept this gift of salvation.
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