1 Corinthians 11:23-26
For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night when he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after the meal, he also took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new testament in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
Dear Heavenly Father,
The Old Testament offerings of animals pointed to the ultimate sacrifice given to us—Jesus’ body and blood. The Passover meal was established as a remembrance meal for the Israelites to remember when You released them from Egyptian oppression. The tenth plague was the death of the firstborn; in every home where the doorway was not marked with the lamb’s blood, the firstborns’ lives, including the cattle, were taken.
The Passover was also a promise, pointing to the day Jesus would come as our final atonement offering; Jesus willingly sacrificed His flesh for all the world’s sins. Through Jesus’ death, we are saved from sin’s bondage, and that gift is delivered to us by faith in Christ. The night Jesus celebrated the final Passover. He gave us His body and blood as His last will and testament; this was a new meal taking the place of the Passover. The Passover was a foreshadowing and promise of His death on the cross; His death brought forgiveness for every sin.
The Lord’s Supper assures us that Christ attained complete forgiveness for our sins and strengthens our faith. Jesus won our freedom, which is delivered to us through the Holy Spirit by grace. May we always remember the forgiveness Jesus won for us; never let us forget Your love and mercy.
Lord, we thank you for what Jesus endured at our expense so that we have eternal life. For Jesus’ sake, remove every sin that divides us from You; may this blessed meal give us the strength to live in faith according to Your Word. Amen.
Written through Pastor Roger Emmons
Maundy Thursday—Dies Mandati—is remembered as the day of the command. At that final Passover meal, Jesus gave his last will and testament to his disciples. That night, he gave all he had—his body and blood—to save us from all our sins.