Encounter: The Last Supper

Scripture: Luke 22:7-8, 14-20 NLT

Now the Festival of Unleavened Bread arrived, when the Passover lamb is sacrificed. Jesus sent Peter and John ahead and said, “Go and prepare the Passover meal, so we can eat it together.”

…When the time came, Jesus and the apostles sat down together at the table. Jesus said, “I have been very eager to eat this Passover meal with you before my suffering begins. For I tell you now that I won’t eat this meal again until its meaning is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God.” Then he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. Then he said, “Take this and share it among yourselves. For I will not drink wine again until the Kingdom of God has come.” 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.”

Prayer:

Dear God, I am grateful I have the advantage of history to understand the symbolism of the cup and bread. But the disciples were being asked to look forward, to let go of the old covenant based on law and atoning sacrifices and embrace the new covenant of grace and your once-and-for-all sacrifice. Let the holiness of taking Communion never leave me. Each time I partake of the cup and bread, overwhelm me with the passion of your sacrifice. In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

Read all of 40 Days of Prayer at easter.crossings.church.