Scripture

He took the cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them and said, “Each you drink from it, for this is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many.”

Observation

The disciples ask Jesus where they are to celebrate the Passover. He give them directions, and they prepare the feast.

Jesus sits down with his disciples. He says that one of them will betray Him. Distressed, they each ask, “Is it me?” Jesus replies that one of them will do it, and it would be better if he had never been born.

Jesus takes some bread, blesses it, and gives it to the disciples, saying,“This is my body.” Then he takes a cup of wine and says that it is His blood in God’s covenant.

They sing a hymn and go to the Mount of Olives.

Application

The sacrament of Holy Communion was instituted by the Lord Himself. The simple act of eating bread and drinking wine reminds us of the power of Jesus’ sacrifice for us on the cross.

The bread is his broken body. The wine is the blood that confirms the covenant God has made with His people on the cross.

Some christians make light of the sacraments, but we do this at our peril. Paul tells us that if we participate in an unworthy manner, we bring judgement on ourselves.

We underestimate the power of symbols. In Communion, we are eating Christ’s body and drinking His blood. We consume Christ to maintain our life. He is in us by the Holy Spirit. The church shares a common loaf of bread and a common cup of wine to illustrate that we are unified in Christ.

Communion and baptism provide spiritual power to the church. As important as preaching and the gifts of the Spirit are, we must never neglect the sacraments.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, you died for me at Calvary. Please help me to appreciate the depth of your love for me. Amen.