“With these simple gestures of holding up the bread and the wine, with the simple words “This is my body . . . this is my blood,” Jesus is saying that all the earlier deliverances, the earlier sacrifices, the lambs at Passover, were pointing to himself. Just as the first Passover was observed the night before God redeemed the Israelites from slavery through the blood of the lambs, this Passover meal was eaten the night before God redeemed the world from sin and death through the blood of Jesus.” Jesus the King Timothy Keller
The Last Supper was Jesus’ final opportunity to be with his disciples before the cross. This was his last chance to talk with them and reinforce the things that he needed them to know and do. Instead of giving them a To Do List, however, he gave them a meal.
This simple gesture speaks volumes about the nature of the Gospel. This was not an ordinary meal, though. It was a meal rich in meaning that each of the disciples would have participated in many times before. The Passover was celebrated yearly by every Jewish household.
On this night, things were different. Instead of telling the traditional story of the miraculous deliverance of the Hebrews from Egypt, Jesus told his followers that the Passover was really about him. From the very first time it had been celebrated up to then, it had been pointing to the day when the Son of God would leave Heaven and become a man. Jesus would become the ultimate Passover Lamb. His blood would be sprinkled over our lives, protecting us from God’s judgment.
May this Easter weekend be a time of reflection and celebration as we remember the sacrifice that Christ made on our behalf! Thanks be to God for his indescribable Grace!
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