Mark 14: 22 And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body. 23 And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it. 24 And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many. 25 Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God. 26 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.
These five verses tell us of the latter part of the Passover observance that went on that night in the Upper Room and all of the Jewish homes. They started at 6 PM, the beginning of the new day. God set up time as evening and morning in Genesis. Jesus had it arranged. A place was prepared for him and the disciples to remember the Jews being brought out of Egyptian bondage into freedom. It took the death angel to smite the land of Egypt and all homes that didn’t have the blood applied to the doorposts faced death of their firstborn.
This time Jesus participated with his disciples but abstained from partaking because he was going to be the Passover. The disciples had a cloudy meaning of it all. For three years they saw him do mighty miracles. They were convinced he was the Son of God, the Messiah, the Christ. Jesus told them he would eat it no more with them until the time of the kingdom. Jesus is looking forward to the rapture as much as we are.
First, there had to be another sacrifice. It had to be made and it wasn’t an animal; it was the Lamb of God. A human had to die and not just any human. We’re just sinners without Jesus. If we died it would be in vain. I’m thankful Jesus, God’s only begotten son, came to be our sacrifice.
There was a large upper room for Jesus and the disciples. There is a place being prepared for us as well. The time is coming for Jesus to take us to the “upper room.” Until then Jesus took unleavened bread. It wasn’t as tasty as other bread. No matter how the world makes fun of the cross I’m glad Jesus went there. We’re saved because of one person: Jesus. We’re saved because of one work: Jesus on the cross. Jesus became the bread of life. He didn’t eat with them because he was the bread.
We’re the same as the disciples—unworthy. Jesus never gives us bread with leaven of the world in it. It won’t have the flavor of the world. It doesn’t go out of date or out of style. The wonder of wonders is that Jesus gave himself on Calvary’s cross. We’re not worthy but Jesus intended for all to have part in the supper. Our relationship with Jesus is what makes us worthy. He gave his life’s blood by the drinking of the cup.
We can’t predict how we’ll be physically in the future. Jesus remains steady. He remains ageless. We can meet around his table because his body was broken. We’ll lay down this body down and get a new one. We will make it until then because of Jesus. Have no fear. Believe the Lord and fellowship with him by remembering to let Jesus be Lord of each day. Walk in light as he is in the light. We’ll make it. We’ll more than survive. We will have victory.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 