March 11th
JESUS’ FINAL WEEK
Action: The Lord’s supper is a community- based meal. We can see possible gleamings of this communion meal in OT times. Remember King Melchizedek as priest “brought out bread and wine” as he worshipped with Abram and blessed him (Gen 14:18-20). The Passover (Sedar) described in Exodus 12 was a family communion meal with God. Also, recall the 70 elders on Sinai who “beheld God and ate and drank” (Exod 24:11). How about the ‘peace offerings’ in the temple? The meat of such ‘fellowship’ sacrifices was eaten in thanksgiving as communion meals for families gathered with the priest before God (Lev 3).
True, Jesus enjoyed meals with Simon the Pharisee, with Zacchaeus, Martha and Mary and many others but this Nisan meal was extra special. At the end of the Passover meal he introduced the simple communion meal which came to be known as the Last or Lord’s Supper. The purpose of this meal is primarily to remember and joyfully celebrate Jesus not to mournfully examine our depravity or to recite a liturgy (Luke 22:17-19; 1 Cor 11:26).
Application: Notice how Paul later described this celebration, in the scripture quoted above: as a participation, a fellowship, a communion. He invites all believers to enjoy this communion meal. We can readily see this from the inclusive wording used in John’s gospel – 1:12 (all) 3:18 (whoever) 5:24 (whoever) 6:54 (whoever). Those who drink the wine, which symbolises his shed blood, enter into the New Covenant for forgiveness of their sins. There is no other way to have a relationship with God (Matt 26:28).
JESUS’ FINAL WEEK
THURSDAY – Lord’s Supper
THURSDAY – Lord’s Supper
The cup of blessing [of wine at the Lord’s Supper] upon which we ask [God’s] blessing, does it not mean [that in drinking it] we participate in and
share a fellowship (a communion) in the blood of Christ (the Messiah)?
The bread which we break, does it not mean [that in eating it] we participate in and share a fellowship (a communion) in the body of Christ?
1 Corinthians 10:16, Amplified Bible, Classic Edition
share a fellowship (a communion) in the blood of Christ (the Messiah)?
The bread which we break, does it not mean [that in eating it] we participate in and share a fellowship (a communion) in the body of Christ?
1 Corinthians 10:16, Amplified Bible, Classic Edition
Action: The Lord’s supper is a community- based meal. We can see possible gleamings of this communion meal in OT times. Remember King Melchizedek as priest “brought out bread and wine” as he worshipped with Abram and blessed him (Gen 14:18-20). The Passover (Sedar) described in Exodus 12 was a family communion meal with God. Also, recall the 70 elders on Sinai who “beheld God and ate and drank” (Exod 24:11). How about the ‘peace offerings’ in the temple? The meat of such ‘fellowship’ sacrifices was eaten in thanksgiving as communion meals for families gathered with the priest before God (Lev 3).
True, Jesus enjoyed meals with Simon the Pharisee, with Zacchaeus, Martha and Mary and many others but this Nisan meal was extra special. At the end of the Passover meal he introduced the simple communion meal which came to be known as the Last or Lord’s Supper. The purpose of this meal is primarily to remember and joyfully celebrate Jesus not to mournfully examine our depravity or to recite a liturgy (Luke 22:17-19; 1 Cor 11:26).
Application: Notice how Paul later described this celebration, in the scripture quoted above: as a participation, a fellowship, a communion. He invites all believers to enjoy this communion meal. We can readily see this from the inclusive wording used in John’s gospel – 1:12 (all) 3:18 (whoever) 5:24 (whoever) 6:54 (whoever). Those who drink the wine, which symbolises his shed blood, enter into the New Covenant for forgiveness of their sins. There is no other way to have a relationship with God (Matt 26:28).
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The blood of the covenant is poured out for (around) many for the forgiveness of sins.
The blood of the covenant is poured out for (around) many for the forgiveness of sins.
