October 16

Luke 22:7-20 

The Passover meal

Jesus sent Peter and John ahead to prepare a room for the Passover meal. He told them that they would meet a man carrying a water jar who would lead them to a house with a large room that the owner would let them use. Everything happened exactly as Jesus said it would.

When the meal was ready, Jesus and His friends gathered around the supper table.

Then Jesus said, “I have looked forward to sharing this Passover meal with you before I suffer. I won’t eat it again until God’s kingdom comes and the Passover is fulfilled.”

Jesus took the bread and gave thanks for it. Then He broke it into pieces and gave them to His disciples, saying, “This is My body, which is given for you. Do this to remember Me.”

After supper, Jesus gave them a cup of wine to share, saying, “This cup is the sign of God’s new agreement to save you—a lasting covenant sealed with My blood.”

How does the bread and wine remind us of Jesus?

Although Jesus had told His disciples that He would suffer and die, they didn’t understand what He meant.

At the Passover supper, Jesus used the bread and wine to explain to His disciples what was about to happen. These symbols would also give His followers a practical way to remember His death until He comes to take us to heaven.

As Jesus broke the bread, He was showing how His body would be given for them. He would be whipped and beaten and nailed to a cross the next day.

Then Jesus took the wine and used it to show how His blood would flow as He hung on the cross.

God’s new agreement meant that Jesus would take the blame and punishment for everyone’s sin and die in our place. Because of what Jesus has done, you can ask Him to forgive your sins and make you right with God.

Verse for today

For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. 1 Corinthians 11:26