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 animal offerings in the Old Testament foreshadowed the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus’ body and blood. The Passover meal was instituted as a reminder for the Israelites to recall when You released them from Egyptian bondage. During the tenth plague, the death of the firstborn occurred; every household not marked with the lamb’s blood lost its firstborn, including livestock.
The Passover also serves as a promise, foreshadowing the arrival of Jesus as our ultimate atonement offering. Jesus willingly gave Himself for the sins of the world. Through His death, we are freed from the chains of sin, a gift received by faith in Christ. On the night Jesus observed His final Passover, He presented His body and blood as His last will and testament before His death. This meal replaced the Old Testament Passover, which foreshadowed His sacrificial death on the cross. Jesus’ death fulfilled Your Old Testament promises to send us a Savior to forgive all our sins.
The Lord’s Supper assures us that Christ achieved full forgiveness for our sins and strengthens our faith. Jesus secured our freedom, which comes to us through the Holy Spirit by grace. May we continually remember the forgiveness that Jesus won for us; let us never forget Your love and mercy.
Lord, we are grateful for the innocent suffering and death Jesus endured on our behalf, granting us eternal life. For Jesus’ sake, please eliminate every sin that separates us from You. May this sacred meal empower us to live in faith according to Your Word. Amen.
Written through Pastor Roger Emmons
Maundy Thursday, derived from the Latin Dies Mandati, meaning “the day of the command,” marks the night Jesus shared his last will and testament with his disciples during the Passover meal. On that night, he offered all of himself (his body and blood) to redeem us from our sins.