This week we recognize the events leading up to our Lord’s death and resurrection.There are many man-made traditions in today’s Christian Church; but communion is not one of them. This holy institution was initiated by Jesus himself during the Passover, Seder meal; just hours before his crucifixion. This was a God ordained ceremonial meal comprised of symbolic food used to commemorate the deliverance of God’s people from Egypt. Using these symbolic foods; Jesus revealed that God would once again deliver his people; but instead of from physical bondage and slavery it would be from spiritual bondage and the slavery of sin.
In a Seder, a cloth bag with separate compartments holds three sheets of matzoh, or unleavened bread. The middle matzoh is removed and split. One half is broken and distributed; the other is wrapped in a napkin, hidden, and bought back after it is found. Breaking the bread, Jesus said, “Take, eat; this is My body”. In Scripture, leaven symbolizes sin, so bread without yeast represents a holy God. In the divided bag, matzohs are unified yet distinct—a picture of the Trinity. The middle bread signifies the Son, who left His Father’s side to dwell among us and was broken for mankind, wrapped in a burial cloth, hidden in a tomb, and resurrected. Wine, the other symbol Jesus highlighted, is poured four times at a Seder. It is believed that it is the the third cup—known as the cup of redemption that He called “My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins” These emblems have existed within the Seder meal for hundreds of years just waiting for Christ to reveal them to his followers. Once revealed; he instructed us to continue to share in these emblems in remembrance of Him and we call this communion; we call this the Lord’s Supper. So, today as we approach the Lord’s table entering into this most holy of weeks; let us reflect on his perfect, sinless body that he allowed to be broken for us and His redeeming blood that he willfully poured out for our salvation.
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