Take And Eat – Take And Drink

²² While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take it; this is my body." ²³ Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, and they all drank from it. ²⁴ "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many," he said to them. ²⁵ "I tell you the truth, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it anew in the kingdom of God." Mark 14:22-25

What was going on in the disciples heads on the most somber night? The Passover is being celebrated and in a less than twenty-four hours there would be a new Passover resulting from a new sacrifice, an eternal sacrifice, JESUS sacrifice – once for all (Hebrews 9:26-28). In this most holy meal the disciples partook of the sacrifice – Jesus’ body and blood to be broken and shed for the forgiven of sin.

We too, every time we eat of the bread and drink of the cup, we partake of Jesus’ sacrificial body and blood. We are renewed in the forgiveness of sins, being fed and nourished by the life-giving sustenance of Jesus Himself. As we partake of this meal Jesus greets us anew to assure us of what He has already obtained for us. He would ask us: “Have you ever doubted My love for You? Have you ever questioned whether or not your sins are truly, fully, and freely forgiven?” Then in this meal He presence us with the evidence of His love and forgiveness in His body and blood broken and shed for me, and for you and for all people. It is as if He is saying “If you have ever doubted, well here is physical, tangible evidence – My body, My blood. You can be assured because I didn’t go to the cross for nothing. My broken body and shed blood are a testimony of My love for you and they count for something. They count for your full atonement. All accounts are settled. All debts have been paid.”

Jesus, in view of Your great mercies, move me today and everyday to offer myself as a living sacrifice in service to others as my spiritual act of worship (Romans 12:1). Amen!