26 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.” 27 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
-Matthew 26:26-28 NIV
At the Last Supper, Jesus broke the bread and served it to His disciples as a symbol of His body that would soon be broken— not just for their salvation— but for whoever would believe in Him. Likewise, Jesus took the wine and told them to drink, and in doing so foreshadowed His blood that would be shed on the cross to bring redemption and restoration to the world.
At the time, the disciples could not fully comprehend what Jesus was revealing to them. Only after Jesus’ death and resurrection could they truly understand the significance and sacredness of this Passover meal. And even though we read passages like Mark 14 and John 16 with the knowledge of the events that follow this unforgettable dinner (spoiler alert: we know Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday lie ahead!), much like the disciples, we too may miss the weightiness of the Last Supper.
As we begin this Holy Week, may we not miss the magnitude of what Jesus has done for us through His death and resurrection. I pray you take time to pause and ponder the full weight of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross and His victory over death. Meditate on the sacredness of His body and blood shed for you. Turn your heart towards God in repentance and thanksgiving, confident Jesus’ death on the cross has brought you into right standing with a merciful God. Worship the Lord in awe of all He has given to make things right for you– to redeem you and bring restoration to your life. Marvel at a God who fulfills His promises to His people, and even in your greatest sins and transgressions, made a way for your atonement.
May the Last Supper remind you that Jesus’ death and resurrection are not meant to be glossed over, simply read through in Scripture, or memorialized during Lent. They are meant to be partaken. Jesus’ sacrifice must not just be believed; it must also be received. With each new day, you have a fresh opportunity to remember and feast on what the Lord has done for you– to be nourished and sustained by Jesus and transformed into a true disciple who walks in victory.