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The summer had ended. It would be the start of a new school year the next day. But I was not ready. I had loved 3rd grade. My teacher had been the best. There were so many memories about that year that I was struggling to move on. Honestly, I was okay with just doing 3rd grade all over again.
The first day of school was full of jitters and worry. What if the new teacher is strict? What if she isn’t nice? What if it’s too hard? What if… questions swirled through my head fueled by doubt and fear.
My new teacher could see I was struggling. When there was a moment just the two of us were standing there, she told me all about the things she had planned for the year. She reminded me that 3rd grade was great, and I would use all I learned from the past to prepare me for what was ahead. The old was good, but there was something new to come. Something to celebrate.
It was just what I needed. And 4th grade was a great year.
Luke 22:14-20
“And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him. And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come. And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.”
Close your eyes and try to picture the scene. Jesus and His 12 disciples, seated around a table with the Passover meal before them. This was something they had done since they were children. This feast commemorated the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt and the salvation of their people. It was something important to remember. But Jesus had something new.
When He spoke, He said “this is my body”, “this is my blood”. Can you imagine the confused looks on the disciples’ faces? What was He talking about? This was the Passover meal. It was the blood of the lamb, the sacrifice that took their place.
It still was.
But this time, it was Jesus. He was the lamb. He was the sacrifice.
What happened in the past was still important, but Jesus showed them that it had prepared the way for what was ahead.
When we partake in this meal, it’s what we refer to as communion or the Lord’s Supper. As followers of Christ, it’s an important piece of our relationship with Him. The bread is His body, the juice is His blood. We remember what He did for us on the cross. We remember His blood poured out for us. We remember his body as the sinless sacrifice that took our place.
Jesus gave us the new covenant. The old was good, and it had a deep purpose. It prepared the way for what was ahead. And just like the disicples were waiting then, we too await the coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Do you know Him?
The Bible tells us that He is the Son of God, the sacrifice for our sins, and He is the only way to eternal life in Heaven with the Father.
You can’t worship Him and other gods. It is Jesus only.
You can’t worship Him and your works. It is Jesus only.
Christ alone.
He poured out His blood at Calvary. He alone gave His life to be a sacrifice.
Jesus.
He alone deserves our worship and praise. Let me help you get to know Him.
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