The night of Jesus’ imminent betrayal and arrest, He shared Passover with His disciples (Matthew 26:17-35). During this meal, Jesus aligned the historical reminder of Israel’s deliverance from Egypt with a new covenant, one of His blood and His body instead of the sacrificial Passover lamb. Some people may see this exercise as an empty ritual. But it is a deeply meaningful tradition. Communion brings the identity of God’s people from the past to the present. It ties the experience of Israel’s deliverance from slavery to His promises of our redemption: forgiveness, grace and love. It is both a communal event and a very personal introspective event (1 Corinthians 11:17-34). There is a future component as well. Communion is a partially finished meal. We look forward to the marriage feast with Jesus (Revelation 19:9).
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Following Jesus - Week 14