Today is the day he finishes telling what he is about to do. Today is the day he prays to his Father for strength for what is to come.
It is all downhill from here. Jesus is then betrayed, forgotten by his disciples, persecuted, and tried before the Israeli ruling class. Jesus suffered a painful death.
What happens on Good Friday – the bad stuff – happens so that we will benefit.
Jesus died for us! Jesus died for you!
Today’s reading is Matthew 26:17-29, Matthew’s account of the Last Supper.
The Last Supper is not only Jesus’ last meal, but it is also his last earthly, face-to-face lesson with his disciples. Jesus tells us to “Take and eat; this is my body.”
We also know that Jesus is the Word of God (John 1:14). When we celebrate the Lord’s Supper, we are ingesting the Word of God. And it is the Word of God that strengthens us and helps us with the inevitable trials we will face in this sinful world.
The Lord’s Supper gives us strength.
Jesus also tells us “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”
Jesus blood was shed for the forgiveness of our sins. No longer do we have to perfectly follow God’s Law. Jesus announced a new covenant. Our faith that Jesus died for our sins places us firmly in God’s Kingdom!
We can wonder how Jesus is in the bread and wine we partake at the Lord’s Supper. We can also debate the symbolism of communion. Quite frankly, my human mind is incapable of fully appreciating what Jesus has done.
However, one thing is clear.
What Jesus did, he did for me. He did it for us.
He did it for you!
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