Mark 14:22-26
While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, ‘Take it; this is my body.’
23 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it.
24 ‘This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,’ he said to them. 25 ‘Truly I tell you, I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.’
26 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
It’s Thursday evening, just hours away from arrest, false trial, brutal torture and horrific crucifixion. The world of the disciples is about to be turned upside down, inside out and twisted every which way. The hands of the Son of God that flung stars into space, touched the blind, healed the sick, raised the dead and washed His disciples’ feet are about to be surrendered to cruel nails.
But before that Jesus’s hands do one more breath-taking act. They break and distribute bread and pass around a cup. So simple yet so profound! A simple meal! Simple elements! Yet symbolising for all time the covenant and unbreakable promise of God to His people. ‘..this is my body.’ ‘This is my blood of the covenant..’
What would keep these disciples in the trials of life and death ahead of them?
Not their grasp of Jesus teaching. Not their memory of His kindness. Not their determination to not forget Him. What would keep these disciples in the trials of life and death ahead of them is what Jesus was about to do for them on the cross. His body, broken for them, His blood shed in their place.
So it remains, and so we do in remembrance of Him. All who come to Christ are secure in Him forever by the covenant promise of God, signed and sealed in Christ’s blood. It is symbolised every time we share in communion. How precious it will be when we can share it again?
What will keep you in the trials surrounding us now, the trials of life and death.
Nothing but the covenant promise of God, signed and sealed in Christ’s blood.
Reflect
For Your covenant is sure
And on this I am secure
I can stand on ev’ry promise from Your word
CCLI Song # 4642105 Keith Getty | Stuart Townend © 2005 Thankyou Music (Admin. by Integrity Music)
Prayer
Father, in life and in death the only security I know is the body and blood of Christ given for me. By grace, through faith in Him I am sealed and secure in Christ. Praise your holy name Lord and help me to live with assurance today as a child of the covenant. AMEN
