1 CORINTHIANS 11:24B

“This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.”

TO PONDER

One thing that is often overlooked by European and Australian Christians is the fact that Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper during the traditional Jewish Passover 'Seder' meal. During the passover festival and particularly during this meal, the Jewish people participated in, and still do, a highly ritualised meal which recalled the events of God's saving acts in delivering their ancestors from slavery in Egypt. It was not only a meal of remembrance but also considered an active participation in the initial events by calling it back to mind and recreating the scenario through the long practiced ritual.

Throughout the meal 4 'cups' are consumed at different points. The Four Cups represent the four expressions of deliverance promised by God Exodus 6:6–7 where God says: "I will bring out", "I will deliver", "I will redeem", and "I will take". These were the terms of God promise of deliverance to his people in Egypt.

I wonder if that helps you appreciate the gravity of the situation when we hear that, "in the same way he took the cup after the supper". Jesus establishes a new covenant or promise, one which is the fulfilment of God promise to bring us out of darkness and into his marvellous light, to deliver us from evil, redeem us from our slavery to sin, and to take us and claim us as his own. All of this is what we receive, every time we hear the words, "this is my body, this my blood, given for you".

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, please help me to always appreciate the magnitude and significance of your invitation to come to your table and to receive all that you have done for me. May it be a catalyst in my life to inspire and equip me to share that invitation with others. Amen

Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle