Luke 22 (NIV) 17After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, "Take this and divide it among you. 18For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes." 19And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me."
Luke 4 says Jesus could be found in worship on the Sabbath. Coming to worship helps us walk with Christ. The Bible also tells us Jesus read from the scriptures, preached, and participated in holy festivals. (Much as we do at Christmas and Easter.)
There are few practices in our Sunday worship where we do exactly what Jesus commanded. Communion is one of those practices. We usually have Communion the first Sunday of the month and at other times during the year. It also is called The Lord’s Supper or Eucharist. These terms describe a part of worship Jesus asks us to do regularly.
During Communion, we remember the last meal Jesus ate before he was crucified. That meal was actually a part of the Jewish celebration called Passover. Jesus altered the ritual in a way that caused his disciples to sit up and take note.
In the Passover meal, a lamb was slaughtered as a sacrifice to God. Jesus bypasses the reference to the sacrificial lamb and instead focuses attention on the bread and wine. (We use grape juice in our communion so everyone can participate.)
Jesus says, “my body broken for you.” This is sacrificial language. He refers to the wine as his blood saying it is the blood of a new sacrificial covenant between you and God. This meal and the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ create a new contract between you and God. Your sins are forgiven, and you are forever accepted into God’s grace and love.
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