As [Jesus and the Twelve] were eating, Jesus took some bread and blessed it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, "Take it, for this is my body."
—Mark 14:22 NLT
For Jesus and his early followers, bread was the "staff of life," the essence of food and nourishment to people in Jesus' culture in his day. Jesus had already taught his closest followers that he was the bread of life (John 6). Now, Jesus was providing these followers with a way to remember him, his life-giving place in their lives, and the sacrifice he was about to make for them — and for us also. In addition, he was providing his followers with a way of understanding their role in the world: They were — and we are — to be his bodily presence. When we participate in the Lord's Supper like the early followers of Jesus did, we do so to remember him and to commit to keep alive his ministry to the world as we pledge to be his body. We must never take this meal for granted or take it lightly.
O Father, thank you for leaving us a reminder of Jesus' sacrifice, his life-giving grace, and our responsibility to keep his memory and ministry alive as his body, the church. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Ⓒ 1996-2020 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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—Mark 14:22 NLT
Key Thought
For Jesus and his early followers, bread was the "staff of life," the essence of food and nourishment to people in Jesus' culture in his day. Jesus had already taught his closest followers that he was the bread of life (John 6). Now, Jesus was providing these followers with a way to remember him, his life-giving place in their lives, and the sacrifice he was about to make for them — and for us also. In addition, he was providing his followers with a way of understanding their role in the world: They were — and we are — to be his bodily presence. When we participate in the Lord's Supper like the early followers of Jesus did, we do so to remember him and to commit to keep alive his ministry to the world as we pledge to be his body. We must never take this meal for granted or take it lightly.
Today's Prayer
O Father, thank you for leaving us a reminder of Jesus' sacrifice, his life-giving grace, and our responsibility to keep his memory and ministry alive as his body, the church. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Related Scripture Readings
Ⓒ 1996-2020 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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