The Perfect Lamb

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to His disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then He took a cup, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

- Matthew 26:26-28

On Thursday of Passion week (Holy Week – between Palm Sunday and Easter), Jesus gathered with His Disciples in the Upper Room to share the Passover meal. This meal was a reminder of when the Children of Israel were in bondage in Egypt. Moses was sent by God to set His people free, but Pharaoh refused to let them go. Finally, God sent ten plagues, culminating with the worst plague of all, the Angel of Death passing through Egypt killing every firstborn son. The Children of Israel were instructed to take the blood of an unblemished lamb and spread it on the doorposts of their homes. When the Angel of Death saw the blood on the doorposts, he would “pass over” those homes, and the firstborn sons would not die. As a result of this plague, Pharaoh finally relented and let God’s people go.

Because we are sinners and are separated from God by our sin, we, too, are destined for death. Jesus is the Perfect Lamb, sent by God to take away the sins of the world. Because of the shed blood of Jesus, we are declared innocent, and the Angel of Death passes over us. 

Just as the Passover meal is a reminder to the Children of Israel of God’s graciousness in not taking their firstborn and freeing them from bondage in Egypt, Communion (the bread and the cup) is our reminder of the love and grace of God in sending Jesus to be nailed to a cross to free us from the bondage of sin. 

As we take the bread and cup, we are reminded of what Jesus did for us. Then, out of a heart of gratitude, our appropriate response is, “Thank you, Jesus, for what you have done for me. Now, what can I do for you?”

Pastor Ken