He took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body which is given for you. Do this in memory of me. Luke 22:19 WEB

Gathered together at the Last Supper, Christ broke bread with his disciples, metaphorically saying of the bread, “this is my body.” Jesus would soon become the ultimate sacrifice. He gave his body in sacrifice, suffering the penalty of death for the salvation of mankind from sin. 

Before the Exodus, during the night of the death of the firstborn sons of Egypt, the Jews painted the blood of a sacrificial lamb on their doors. This identified the house as inhabited by Israelites. Recognizing this sign, the angel of death passed over these houses. 

Once a  year, the Jewish people commemorate the event in a celebration feast appropriately named Passover. Likewise, Christians commemorate our salvation as we share in communion. We use bread to symbolize the material nature of the flesh. As Christ said, “this is my body.”

The Lamb of God

Jesus was condemned, crucified and resurrected during the time of the Passover. His meeting with his disciples and subsequent statement during the Last Supper are in line with the celebration of God sparing the lives of those who believe in him and faithfully serve his purpose. As Jews celebrate Passover with a commemorative feast, Christ taught his followers to break bread and share it with one another. This is done in memory of Christ who gave his body as a sacrifice for our sin.

Christ is the ultimate Passover Lamb. No longer do men sacrifice an innocent sheep to protect them from death or to atone for sins. The spotless lambs of the Old Testament were a picture of the sinless Lamb of God, Jesus Christ. As John the Baptist proclaims of Jesus  in John 1:29, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! WEB”

Yesterday’s Devotional: The House of David