HOLY COMMUNION SERVICE
Message from Pastor H Biakson
While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered 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 of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew 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]
Our Lord is a suffering God. From Bethlehem, all the way to Egypt a refugee as an infant. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and familiar with our suffering. He was humiliated and mocked. So, he became the God who grieves and suffers like a common man and knows our struggles, and understands us best. At his prime, he became obedient to God to lay down his life, and therefore arranged a Passover meal for his disciples before his death.
Passover meal, regardless of its common definition, symbolizes two crucial events specially for the Israelites. First event marks the deliverance of the Israelites from their slavery in Egypt, under the leadership of Moses. Second, overshadowed by the first Passover, our Lord established a new Passover for all, by becoming the Passover Lamb. The Lord’s supper symbolizes the body & blood of the Passover Lamb which is what we are about to partake today.
The first Passover happened in Egypt when Pharoah hardened his heart not allowing the Lord’s people to go free, resulting in God sending 9 different plaques one after the other. The final and the 10th plaque was the killing of the first born. However, God provided a way out for His people by telling them to slaughter the best lamb without blemish, and sprinkle the blood on the doorpost of each household. The house that has the blood of the lamb on it will be passed by the angel of destruction. This event signifies the blood of the lamb as the savior from God’s judgement over Egypt. It also points us to the suffering of our Lord, the only perfect lamb of God, whose blood alone atones and sanctify you and me.
The second event happened that same night when Jesus dined with his disciples, Jesus established a new Passover which culminated to his sacrifice. It was no longer the blood of the lamb, but the blood of the one and only perfect lamb of God without blemish. He became the Passover lamb and was offered for our salvation and by his blood alone we are saved. The blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. By His blood we now enter a new covenant, the covenant of love. The old covenant was governed by law, but the new one by love. That love connects us back to God so that we can dwell in his presence forever.
Therefore, Jesus said, “ For I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes…This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” From that day, not only is the meal continued, but our faith in our Lord is established and our hope in Him is strengthened as we wait for the kingdom of God. Let this meal sparks our hope and make it alive once again.
A week ago, we lost our brother & sister in Christ. While we live in a time of grief and sorrow, let us not be disheartened but be reminded of the living hope we have in Christ.
As Paul said in 1Thessalonians 4:13-18
“Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words."
While we prepare ourselves to partake the Lord’s supper, knowing full well that our hope is beyond our circumstances, and that one day we will dine together with the lamb of God who loves us. Let that hope keep us alive and encourage us to share and witness the same hope given to us. Let this meal once again ignite our hope and passion to be prepared to meet our Lord and earnestly continue to proclaim His sacrificial love and faithfulness to all mankind while we wait on Him.
