Creator, Father, King #218

Every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord’s death until he comes again.

IF, SOMEHOW, YOU HAD foreknowledge that you were about to be betrayed, arrested, abandoned by your closest friends, endure a series of illegitimate trials, and suffer a torturous death, how would you spend your last few hours?

Well, Jesus observed the Passover with the same men who would cause him much pain in his hour of greatest need! Amazingly, he told his disciples, “I have been very eager to eat this Passover meal with you before my suffering begins” (Luke 22:15).

During the meal, however, he added a twist to this ancient celebration that literally changed history. Here’s how Luke 22:19-20 records it:

He took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” After supper he took another cup of wine and said, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you.”

We call this the Lord’s Supper, and Christians have been observing this special sacrament ever since.

What’s It Mean?

The Lord’s Supper (also referred to as Communion) is one of two sacraments that Scripture commands. (The other is baptism; see the June 14 devotion.) A sacrament is a religious ritual that symbolizes a spiritual truth. Neither the Lord’s Supper nor baptism are necessary for salvation, but they are an important part of every Christian’s life.

While baptism is a one-time event, Scripture calls believers to regularly partake in the Lord’s Supper. Why? Because as today’s verse says, whenever we do, we powerfully proclaim the gospel until Jesus returns—for our sanctification, the edification of the local body of Christ, and a strong witness to any unbelievers present.

The bread we eat represents Christ’s body, broken for us on the cross. The juice we drink represents Christ’s blood, shed as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. The Lord’s Supper is a beautiful reminder of what Jesus did on our behalf to make us right with a holy God. It’s also a foretaste of the future “wedding feast of the Lamb” that Christians will enjoy in heaven (Revelation 19:7).

What a joy it is to partake in the Lord’s Supper!

Now What?

If you are a follower of Jesus but have never participated in the Lord’s Supper, ask your parents about doing so.

Did You Know?

Approaching the Lord’s Supper with a worshipful heart is extremely important (1 Corinthians 11:17-34).