The air was charged with excitement and anticipation as He mounted the young donkey. They had no idea what the next few days would hold, but entering the city expectation of freedom crackled in the atmosphere. The crowd shouted in joyous singing, welcoming Jesus as He entered.
The following days became a blur. They were shocked as He turned over the money-changing tables in the temple and He prophesied and condemned the religious leaders. They intently gleaned His words as He taught impacting parables to the crowds that gathered listening to His every word. As the crowds pressed in, those few short days were filled with memories that would flood over into the centuries that would follow.
The anticipation of the Passover feast approached and Jesus instructed them to go ahead of Him and prepare to celebrate together; it was going to be only their small group, it would be a welcome time of respite. The room was filled with love as they sat, not knowing this would be their last meal together.
And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.”
After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”
And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”
In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.” (Luke 22:15-20 NIV)
Communion has never been a ritual to me, but a personal time to remember what Jesus did. The understanding of its significance, however, has grown. We usually hear of the bread and the wine together symbolizing Christ’s sacrifice for us, but one day I heard a teaching that transformed my understanding.
There are two elements – the cup and the bread – each having specific impact to our lives.
The cup signifies the blood Jesus shed for our forgiveness. When we receive this gift, we understand we have been made righteous and our sin has been washed away under His blood. We now have access to His presence because of this new covenant made on our behalf.
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s Grace. (Ephesians 1:7 NIV)
The bread, however has a significance that we often don’t understand or walk in. The bread is for healing! From head-to-toe, Jesus bore our pain and disease; from the crown on His head to the nail driven into His feet.
The symbolisms of Passover are significant to understand. The preparation and use of the matzah bread during Passover hammers-home its importance. It was baked, pierced with holes and stripes. The baked (burnt) bread for the fact that Jesus received the full wrath of God for our sins. Pierced with holes and stripes for He was pierced and took a merciless beating for our healing and wholeness. The lambs blood placed over the door-posts covered sin and kept those within from God’s wrath (Jesus did that for us). But then the lamb was roasted, broken and eaten for strength. When they left Egypt there were …. none feeble. (Ps.105:37) Jesus was broken and beaten for our strength and healing.
Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits – who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases. (Psalm 103:2-3 NIV)
When we take communion, we remember what Christ did for us – both for our forgiveness and for our healing. Remembering should be a celebration of thankfulness and a place filled with faith. A faith of knowing that we can now walk boldly into the throne room of God, forgiven and set free. A faith where we can walk in strength and health. Disease is not the children’s bread; health, strength and healing are!
Jesus instructed us to take communion often in remembrance of His sacrifices. We have the privilege and ability do this at home, we don’t have to wait to go to church. Taking communion is as sacred and as simple as our ability to pray and be heard. As you contemplate the significance of what Jesus did for you, celebrate in remembrance with a new understanding of what belongs to you – forgiveness and wholeness.
Unearthing His Treasures 