What is the Holy Communion of the Sacrifice on the Cross?
John the Baptist confessed that Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Apostle Paul also referred Jesus as the Passover Lamb (Jhn 1:29; 1 Cor 5:7).
Then, what kind of test is the Passover?
In 1446 B.C. at the end of Israel’s 430 years of slavery in Egypt, God brought 10 plagues upon Egypt. The last plaque was the plague on the firstborn, in which every firstborn, both of man and livestock in Egypt, died. However, God commanded the Israelites to slaughter a lamb and put its blood on the doorposts and lintel of their houses, if the blood was seen on the door, the house was pass over-hence the name “Passover.” (Exo 12:12-13)
Jesus bore all our sins and carried the cross. Yet, just as the cross of Jesus Christ has no effect on us if we do not believe in it, Jesus also said that unless we eat His flesh and drink His blood, He will not dwell in us, and we will not receive His life (Jhn 6:53-56). Therefore, participating in the Holy Communion is a confession of faith that I still believe in the event of the cross today and that I believe in the redeeming grace of Jesus Christ.
- The Bread of Life: A Call to Live, Not Die
To reveal the mystery of the cross, Jesus used two elements. The first is bread, which symbolizes His body (Luke 22:19). In Jhn 6:51, Jesus says that those who eat this bread of life will not die but have eternal life. Therefore, as we receive the bread today, let us believe that we are not simply receiving visible bread, but that we are partaking of the body of Christ-the bread of life. May you receive and enjoy the blessing of eternal life. I bless you in the name of the Lord.
- The Bread Without Leaven
During the Exodus, the Israelites had no time to let the bread rise with yeast, so they baked unleavened bread. Afterward, in observing the Passover, they would thoroughly clean their homes to remove all mould and yeast and prepare unleavened bread.
In Matt 16:12, leaven represents the teachings of the Pharisees and Sadducees. This shows us that Jesus had nothing of worldly wisdom or human elements in Him. While human wisdom can be helpful in everyday life, it can never bring us eternal life. Human wisdom is powerless in completing the redemptive work of God.
In Luke 22:19, we see that Jesus broke and gave the bread Himself. He did not receive it from others to pass on. This shows that there was no human teaching or wisdom in Him-only the wisdom of God and the Word of God. So let us hold on to Jesus, who is the wisdom and the Word of God, without relying on human wisdom.
- The Bread of Thanksgiving
Jesus gave thanks before breaking the bread (Luke 22:19). Thanksgiving signifies a willing heart. Jesus willingly took up the cross in order to give us the bread of life. Many people think Jesus died because of the Roman soldiers, or because of external circumstances. If we believe this, we may wonder why the Creator of heaven and earth could not overcome such things. But the Bible tells us He was not killed-He willingly laid down His life. It wasn’t the Roman soldiers or disease that took His life. He chose to lay it down and to be broken. Why? So that He could give you and me the bread that gives life, and grant us eternal life.
It is recorded in Luke 22:19 that after breaking the bread, He gave it to His disciples. Jesus desired to give the bread of life to you and me. In Luke 22:15, Jesus expresses His deep desire to eat the Passover with His disciples. Was this simply a desire to share a meal? No. He longed to give Himself-the bread of life-to His disciples. Even today, as we participate in the Holy Communion, may we feel the burning love of Jesus and the Father’s passionate love. I bless you in the name of the Lord to receive the bread with a heart full of gratitude.
- The Unblemished Atoning Blood: The Wine
The wine that Jesus shared symbolizes His blood that atones for our sins (Matt 26:27-28). One thing we must never forget is this: Is sin more powerful, or is the blood of Jesus more powerful? Is light stronger, or darkness? It is light that prevails. Even a small candle drives away the darkness. In the same way, no matter how strong sin may seem, the moment the blood of Jesus is poured out, sin must flee.
- The Eternal Power of the Blood
Heb 9:22 teaches us that without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins. In the Old Testament, sacrifices were offered, and their blood was used for atonement. But those sacrifices were limited and temporary. However, because the blood of Jesus is without blemish, nothing else is needed. His blood alone is sufficient (1 Pet 1:18-19).
In other words, there is no other blood but the blood of Jesus that can bring eternal atonement. It also means the power of His blood is everlasting (Heb 9:12).
- The Blood that Fulfils the Covenant
During the Last Supper-the Passover meal-Jesus declared that He would no longer drink of the fruit of the vine until He drinks it anew in His Father’s kingdom (Matt 26:29).
In traditional Passover meals, four cups of wine are shared. The first cup is the cup of sanctification, the second is the cup of judgment, the third is the cup of redemption or thanksgiving-which is linked to the Last Supper-and the fourth is called the cup of completion of fulfilment.
From the gospel, we understand that Jesus drank up to the third cup, but He deferred the fourth cup-the cup of completion-saying He would drink it in the kingdom of the Father. The focus here is not on Jesus abstaining from wine, but rather on His declaration that the final day of fulfilment will surely come. When everything is accomplished, Jesus will drink the cup with us. What a glorious and hope-filled promise this is.
Conclusion:
Let Us Go Forth Singing to the Mount of Olives
What is the Mount of Olives? It is the place where Jesus was arrested and began to suffer. It is the place where Judas Iscariot betrayed Him. It is where the disciples, out of fear, fled and abandoned Him. Although the Mount of Olives may outwardly appear to be the place of suffering and tribulation, once we understand the mystery of the Holy Communion that Jesus taught us, it becomes a place of promise. In other words, going to the Mount of Olives symbolizes a march of spiritual victory. That is why we can go there with praise.
The Lord's Covenant Church Malaysia 