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Matthew 26:26-27
While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave
thanks and broke it, and gave it to his
disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my
body." Then he took the cup, gave thanks and
offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all
of you.
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November
16 Thanks at the Lord's Supper
As the disciples gather with Jesus to
celebrate the Lord's Supper, they have no idea
that it is the last night that Jesus would be
alive. They don't understand the
significance of this particular Passover feast
as they celebrate it with Jesus.
There is significance that Jesus would thank
God for the food as was discussed in
yesterday's devotion.
But for the Christian, this is more of an
example of how we ought to celebrate the Lord's
Supper.
The Lord's Supper is a part of the Passover
feast. The disciples have already eaten
and without a doubt, thanks was given for this
food. As Jesus institutes the Lord's
Supper, He doesn't offer thanks for the food but
offers thanks as an example for His disciples to
follow later. We are reminded to give thanks for the
bread and wine as they are symbols
of Jesus' sacrifice.
Jesus' body was afflicted in many ways.
He was beaten and whipped. He was spat
upon. A crown of thorns was jammed on His
head. And finally He was raised up on a
cross for a death so painful that the Romans had
determined it was not suitable for anyone who
was a Roman citizen, regardless of how vile they
were.
As Jesus' blood was poured out, His very life
drained away. It is through His blood
that our sins are forgiven. All of the Old
Testament sacrifices point to this.
As we celebrate the Lord's Supper, we should
do so with thanksgiving for the great sacrifice
of Jesus - His body that was broken and His
blood that was shed.
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