In the last post, I claimed that the first reason why we Christians celebrate the Lord's Supper is "because Jesus told us to." And this is true! But that's not the ONLY reason. In fact, it's not even the BEST reason! We don't celebrate the Supper just because we have a command to do so from Christ; we also do it because Christ Himself attached great promises to the Supper itself!
In Matthew's Gospel, he is careful to include these words from the night when Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper: "Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, 'Take, eat; this is my body.' And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, 'Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.'"
Now that last part is important. Jesus' blood was poured out as "the blood of the covenant" for the forgiveness of sins. We'd have to do a longer Bible study of the Old Testament sacrificial system to fully understand what it means, but let's say this here: The blood of the covenant was applied to the people to cover their sins in the sight of God. When Jesus uses these words - "blood of the covenant" - to refer to His own blood, He is saying something VERY profound.
Now take it one step further. Jesus is holding a cup of wine before His disciples and saying, "THIS is my blood of the covenant." Which means when we take this cup (and by association the whole Supper which Jesus bid us repeat), we receive the same forgiveness.
The forgiveness of sins! Reconciliation with the Author of Life for the sake of His Son! Restoration of His favor and protection in this life and for eternity! Those are INCREDIBLE gifts given to us in a SUPRISING package!
That's an even BETTER reason to celebrate the Lord's Supper!
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