By Meiyi Li
On the night Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper, after he spoke of his impending betrayal, the atmosphere around the table became heavy with sorrow. The disciples were confused. In just a few hours, Jesus’ suffering would begin, first in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus was betrayed and forsaken by the very disciples with whom he had dined. He was made to stand before the high priest and others, who hurled false accusations and insults at him.
Jesus chose to have the Passover meal with his disciples right before the events of that dark night unfolded. He wanted them to know what his sacrifice would mean for them—his life laid down for theirs, and his blood shed for the forgiveness of their sins.
Then he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer” (Luke 22:15).
And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you” (Luke 22:19-20).
The Lord’s Supper was instituted in a time of darkness. And, so, when we are going through dark times of our own, we can partake of Communion and remember Jesus, and what his sacrifice means for us. We remember him as the bread of life, who gave his body so that we can have everlasting life, and he is also the sacrificial lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Because of Jesus’ one sacrifice, we will be holy and blameless in God’s eyes, loved and accepted by our Father.
Meiyi Li serves a local church in Singapore.
Author: Christian Standard
Contact us at **@********************ia.com
