Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

Daily Encouragement for the Family of God by Kenton Cheek

8 November 2024

Reading From Matthew 26, Mark 14

“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. I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.”

–Matthew 26:26-30

     My first observation from this account of the Lord’s Supper is that they were eating supper together.  Food was a vital part of the ministry of Jesus.  He first miracle was at a wedding feast.  He fed the 4,000 and the 9,000.  Having dinner with sinners and tax collectors was important to Him.  Here we find Him celebrating the Passover and as part of the meal they were having, He instituted this remembrance of what was soon to come, His atoning sacrifice.  He would become the ultimate Passover Lamb, the Lamb of God. 

     Only He is uniquely qualified to take upon Himself all of our sins.  He is fully God and was fully man.  This enabled Him to both live a sinless life and to experience life on Earth so that He can identify with us in our joys and struggles.  Through His life, death and resurrection, we have forgiveness of sins, the new birth experience and the hope of eternity in perfect unity and harmony with Him.  There will be endless feasting in Heaven and we won’t gain a pound!  Praise the Lord. Interesting that He says we will drink the fruit of the vine with Him in the New Eden, only He says that there it will be new.

     Singing was also part of their gathering at this special dinner.  Music is one of our favorite ways to worship the Lord in the family of God.  This is the first time I’ve noticed that the singing of a hymn was part of their evening together.  I wonder to myself what hymn they sang and what the worship music of their day sounded like?  Regardless, what a poignant scene of Passover, the Lord’s Supper, the sounds of the disciples glorifying the One they were with and then walking in the gloaming to the Mount of Olives.  Blessed be the Lord, our Redeemer.

“Lord Jesus, thank You for the emphasis that You placed on fellowship while You walked upon the Earth.  To spend time with You is our greatest joy.  I pray that You would increase our unity with fellow brothers and sisters in You.  Communion is such a powerful symbol of our unity with You and with one another.  Bind us all together we pray, Amen.”

For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.”In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

–I Corinthians 11:23-26