"Brief Devotions For Busy Lives" by Rev. Dr. Mary Johnson: Mark 14:22-25

 April 12

"And as they were eating, he took bread, and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them, and said, "Take; this is my body." And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. And he said to them, "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. Truly, I say to you, I shall not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God." - Mark 14:22-25 (RSV)

On Thursday of his last week on earth, Jesus joined his disciples to share the Passover meal required of all Jews as they celebrated freedom form bondage in Egypt. They read the Hebrew Scriptures about the Exodus, ate a lengthy Passover meal, sang psalms, and prayed. Then Jesus took two traditional foods in the Passover, the unleavened bread and the wine, and gave them radical new meaning as symbols of his own body and blood. He used the Passover bread and wine to explain the meaning of what he was about to sacrifice on the cross.

Today the Last Supper is remembered by different names: (1)"Lord's Supper" commemorating the Passover meal Jesus ate with the disciples; (2)"Eucharist" meaning thanksgiving as we thank God for Christ's sacrifice; (3) "Communion" as we commune with God and others. Whenever we participate in this sacred meal, we are privileged to thankfully remember Jesus' life, death, resurrection, and promise to come again. Jesus' many gifts to us also include the institution of a New Covenant with God purchased by his sacrificial blood for the forgiveness of our sins. Jesus asked the disciples to eat the broken bread to remember him because he wanted followers throughout time to remember the meaning and purpose of his sacrifice. Jesus also desired to maintain his friendship with us. Today we still have the privilege of partaking in this sacred Passover bread and wine remembering Jesus sacrifice. May our Lord's Supper remind you of Jesus' amazing love just for you!

Prayer: Jesus, Thank you for your sacrificial love. Amen.

Meditation For The Day: Broken bread heals broken souls

Brief Devotions For Busy Lives: Daily Spring Renewal Paperback – February 21, 2017, by Rev. Dr. Mary Johnson (Author)