Introduction

Good morning, dear family. We are here once again, under the loving gaze of our Lord, gathered in His name. Today, we find ourselves standing at the edge of a vast ocean, ready to plunge into its depths. But fear not, for we are not alone. Our Lord is with us, and He is our guide.

As we gather here today, let us remember the words of the great Christian thinker, G.K. Chesterton, who once said, "The riddles of God are more satisfying than the solutions of man." Indeed, in our search for understanding, we may find that the answers we seek are not found in the wisdom of man, but in the mysteries of God.

The Meaning Behind the Meal

As we turn our attention to the scripture, we find ourselves at the table with Jesus and His disciples. This wasn't just any meal they were sharing. It was the Passover meal, a significant event in the Jewish calendar. It was a time to remember God's deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. But Jesus gave it a new meaning that night, a meaning that would forever change the course of history.

A. This meal was a symbol of Jesus' love and sacrifice. When Jesus broke the bread and shared the wine, He was giving His disciples, and us, a tangible representation of His impending sacrifice. The bread, He said, was His body, broken for us. The wine, His blood, shed for the forgiveness of sins. This was a profound act of love, a love so deep that He was willing to lay down His life for us.

B. But this meal was more than just a symbol. It was a prophecy, a foreshadowing of what was to come. Jesus knew what lay ahead of Him. He knew the pain and suffering He would endure. Yet, He willingly chose to walk that path, for our sake. He told His disciples, "I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom." In saying this, Jesus was looking forward to the day when He would be reunited with His disciples in His Father's kingdom, a day of joy and celebration, a day when all pain and suffering would be no more.

C. Furthermore, this meal was a command. Jesus instructed His disciples to "do this in remembrance of me." He wanted them, and us, to continually remember His sacrifice. Every time we break the bread and drink the wine, we are to remember His body, broken for us, and His blood, shed for us. We are to remember His love, His sacrifice, and His promise of eternal life. This is not just a command for the disciples, but for all believers, for all time.

D. Finally, this meal was a covenant. In the Old Testament, covenants were often sealed with a meal. When God made a covenant with Abraham, a meal was shared. When Moses confirmed the covenant between God and the Israelites, they ate and drank in God's presence. In the same way, Jesus sealed the new covenant with this meal. This covenant was not based on the law, but on grace. It was not about what we could do for God, but what God had done for us. It was a covenant of love, sealed with the body and blood of Jesus.

Purpose of the Practice

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