1 Corinthians 11:23-26
When our boys were young dinnertime was always an adventure. We would gather around the table and talk about the day’s events. One of the boys would get the conversation started and you never knew where the discussion would lead. Sports, school (It’s like a prison and I didn’t learn anything), video games and other things that young boys are interested in. As time went by and they got older and busier, less meals were shared together with the whole family. Now we gather only a few times a year with the whole family around the dinner table. During these meals we often reminisce about times when they were kids. Sweet conversations of games played, funny stories about mom, dad’s parenting skills and the wonder of childhood.
Communion: remembering Jesus and the wonderful grace He showed us with His sacrifice to pay our sin debt. Communion is a gathering of the church family to remember this sacrifice. Our passage brings us back in time to the upper room. “The Lord Jesus the night He was betrayed” Vs. 23 (ESV). I am reminded of the events in that room. Jesus washes the disciples’ feet. A beautiful example of servant leadership, but more importantly, the need for Jesus to wash my sins away. Jesus is giving instructions and encouragement. He tells the disciples that He is leaving but one day will take them to be with Him. Jesus states that He is the way, truth and the life and no one enters heaven except through Him.
Jesus states that this bread they were going to eat represents his body which is going to be broken for them. Jesus’ body was beaten, whipped and broken, paying for my sin with His life. “This cup is the new covenant” (Vs. 25 ESV). This represents Jesus’ blood that had to be spilt to pay the full price for sin. The horrible sequence of beatings, crucifixion, and ultimately death then placed in a tomb seemly defeated. This is something that is hard to remember, something I may not want to focus on, but is important to often remember the magnitude of love Jesus expressed so I can be saved. This remembrance is made sweet because Jesus is no longer in the tomb and has victory over sin and death. That somber remembrance now turns into joyful celebration. We once were slaves to sin- now we are free in Jesus!
Remembrance doesn’t have to just happen at church during communion. We are commanded to remember and proclaim the Gospel, the good news that we can have victory over death. Take some time today to reflect on the sacrifice Jesus made and how that affects you today. We wait anxiously on Jesus’ return, until then we will remember with reverence the wonderful work of Jesus on the cross.
Communion: remembering Jesus and the wonderful grace He showed us with His sacrifice to pay our sin debt. Communion is a gathering of the church family to remember this sacrifice. Our passage brings us back in time to the upper room. “The Lord Jesus the night He was betrayed” Vs. 23 (ESV). I am reminded of the events in that room. Jesus washes the disciples’ feet. A beautiful example of servant leadership, but more importantly, the need for Jesus to wash my sins away. Jesus is giving instructions and encouragement. He tells the disciples that He is leaving but one day will take them to be with Him. Jesus states that He is the way, truth and the life and no one enters heaven except through Him.
Jesus states that this bread they were going to eat represents his body which is going to be broken for them. Jesus’ body was beaten, whipped and broken, paying for my sin with His life. “This cup is the new covenant” (Vs. 25 ESV). This represents Jesus’ blood that had to be spilt to pay the full price for sin. The horrible sequence of beatings, crucifixion, and ultimately death then placed in a tomb seemly defeated. This is something that is hard to remember, something I may not want to focus on, but is important to often remember the magnitude of love Jesus expressed so I can be saved. This remembrance is made sweet because Jesus is no longer in the tomb and has victory over sin and death. That somber remembrance now turns into joyful celebration. We once were slaves to sin- now we are free in Jesus!
Remembrance doesn’t have to just happen at church during communion. We are commanded to remember and proclaim the Gospel, the good news that we can have victory over death. Take some time today to reflect on the sacrifice Jesus made and how that affects you today. We wait anxiously on Jesus’ return, until then we will remember with reverence the wonderful work of Jesus on the cross.
Posted in Devotional