Tag: cup
A prophetic proclamation!
Scripture reading for July 21: 1 Corinthians 11
“For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when He was betrayed took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it, and said, “This is My body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.” In the same way also He took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.” 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
One of the issues in the church at Corinth was in their conduct of Holy Communion. This meal given to the church by Jesus Christ was causing divisions. Some were eating and not considerate of others that came late. Others were getting drunk. The rich and poor were in conflict and some were humiliating and despising one another. This was not Christ Jesus’ intent or instructions.
Paul explained what he understood from the Lord Jesus concerning the elements of Holy Communion. Jesus took the bread and gave thanks. He broke it and gave it to the disciples declaring, “This is My body which is for you.” As they partook of the bread, they were to remember Jesus and the giving of His body for their sins and sicknesses. Jesus willingly was made sin on our behalf. Thankfulness was the simple response to this amazing show of love. When Jesus took the cup, He proclaimed, “This cup is the New Covenant in My blood.” As they partook, they were to remember His blood shed for the payment for sin and give thanks. Paul explained that this eating of the bread and drinking of the cup was a proclamation of Christ’s death until He came again. This was a prophetic act remembering Jesus’ death and resurrection and return again for His people and drinking the cup in the newness of the kingdom. This meal was intended to unite believers (the Bride of Christ) around the death, resurrection and return of Jesus Christ the heavenly Bridegroom.
How have you understood the sacrament of Holy Communion? Have you ever not taken Communion because of your own heart being not right with a brother or sister or spouse? Will you be more aware of the coming of Jesus next time you receive Communion?
Prayer: Holy Father, thank You for this Holy meal designed by You to help me remember Jesus Christ and His work on my behalf. Forgive me when I have partaken of this sacrament with a wrong heart towards another person or You. Remind me each time of the prophetic proclamation of Jesus’ soon return. Amen.
Thirsting for God!
Scripture reading for February 27th: Mark 14, Psalm 42, Proverbs 11
Key Scriptures: Mark 14:22-24 “And as they were eating, He took bread, and after blessing it 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 will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.””
Jesus celebrated His last Passover with His disciples and prepared them for His coming death. His broken body and shed blood were to be offered before God as a ransom for the sins of mankind. These symbols of broken bread and the cup of fruit of the vine would come to bring remembrance to believers of all ages of Christ’s sacrifice. It is now a way of believers identifying with Christ and looking ahead to the coming fullness of the Kingdom when they will share the cup with Jesus at the wedding of the Lamb!
Faith Confession: I trust in the final sacrifice of Jesus Christ of His body and blood as the only hope for my righteousness! I look forward to partaking in the wedding supper of the Lamb!
Psalm 42:1-2 “As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?”