Why the Cross?Shembull

The Meaning of Communion

Throughout the Old Testament we see the Cross foreshadowed and foretold. However, no message about the Cross is more poignant than the words of Jesus Himself. During His last Passover meal with His disciples, Jesus said, "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer" (Luke 22:15).

Jesus was eager to eat that last Passover meal with them because He knew that the Cross would fulfill and complete the Passover. The Passover foreshadowed the Cross through its sacrificing of animal blood. Once the blood of Christ was shed, the Passover finally found its true fulfillment.

In the first Passover, people placed the shed blood of a lamb on their doorpost, so that the angel of death would pass by their home and their firstborn would live. In the last Passover of the Cross, death cannot touch any of those who are washed by the blood of the Lamb of God. In the first Passover, people had to purchase their own animal sacrifice. But in the last Passover, Jesus paid the price in full.

The Cross established Christ's memorial in the form of Communion. As Jesus celebrated the Last Supper with His disciples, He also began the First Supper. Communion reminds us of the enormity of our sin, and the generosity of God's grace. Communion reminds us of the price that Jesus paid for the forgiveness of sins. Christ was eager to celebrate Passover with His disciples for another reason: The Cross established Christ's memorial in the form of Communion.

Prayer: Thank You, God, for the last Passover, in which You paid in full the price of my sin. Thank You that we can take Communion as a memorial of what You did for us on the Cross.

And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me. In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you... (Luke 22:19-20).