After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes. 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.” (Luke 22:17-19)
Jewish people are to drink four glasses of wine during the Passover Supper to represent each of the promises God made to the Israelites. They drank the first two cups before dinner, representing the first two promises to the Israelites: 1) I will bring you out of Egypt, 2) I will free you from being slaves to them. In the New Covenant this cup before dinner represents deliverance and freedom from sin. He reminds us He’ll drink this fruit of the vine again in celebration when all his children are saved.
Matthew and Mark say they broke the bread during dinner. The bread was unleavened bread, without yeast, because they left Egypt in a hurry and didn’t have time for the bread to rise. Yeast is a symbol for sin. In some sourdough breads, the mother dough is passed on to many loaves of bread just as sin is passed through generations. Therefore, the Jews consider bread without yeast to be holy.
This bread of affliction and freedom, called Matzah, was pierced all over to prevent burning and had stripes from the wire rack it was baked on. Isaiah 53:5 prophesizes: “He was pierced for our transgressions and by His stripes we are healed.” It is appropriate that Jesus breaks the bread and says, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” Soon His body will be broken. But in our New Covenant with Him, He was the bread of life that rose. Because of God’s grace, we will rise too.
Dearest Father in Heaven, I’m sorry I don’t always thank you for my many blessings. Please forgive my wrongdoings and the times I forget to spread your love. Thank you for Your grace. Because You forgive me and make me righteous I am free from sin and guilt. Thank you for sending Your Son to be crucified for me. Because He rose, I will rise too and spend eternity with You and attend the Supper of the Lamb when our families will be united with You in love. What a great day that will be! In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
Your prayer brought tears to my eyes today. Tears of happiness at the thought of being reunited with our family in Heaven. Jesus rose for us, to save us. All I have to do is ask and I am forgiven. That is pretty amazing. Father, thank you for the gift of grace and eternal life.
It is pretty amazing. It will be a happy time.