Maundy Thursday

“While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”
‭‭{Matthew‬ ‭26:26-28‬ ‭NIV‬‬}
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On this Thursday, while celebrating the Passover with His disciples, Jesus instituted the sacrament of communion. This is how He asked us to remember Him.
The bread and the wine are not literally the body and blood of Jesus, but they are a symbol to be used as a representation of what He did.
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Jesus is the Bread of Life {John 6:35}. As bread sustains the body and gives it energy, Jesus sustains our spirits and gives us the ability and strength to walk in step with His Spirit. He broke the bread to symbolize the way His earthly body would be broken for us in His death on the cross. So we remember His sacrifice and what He offers us as we eat the bread.
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‭‭“For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life.”
{‭‭Leviticus‬ ‭17:11‬ ‭NIV‬‬}
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The law of the Old Testament required blood to make atonement for the sins of the people. Hebrews 9:22 {NIV} reiterates this saying, “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” This blood had to be offered again and again, because we are sinful people and we continue to need cleansing. Only the blood of a perfect sacrifice is able to wash away for good, regardless of time and space. So we remember that nothing but the blood of Jesus can make us whole again and give us hope of eternal life with Him as we drink the wine.
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{HPZ 4.01.2021}