At this point, Jesus had already been speaking plainly to his disciples of what was to come, as he is here. Even still, I’m sure they couldn’t fully realize or imagine how the next 24 hours were going to play out. Even while sitting on the brink of Jesus’ betrayal and arrest, Jesus isn’t corralling the troops or preparing a physical fortress. Instead, he is sharing a meal with those closest to him, breaking and pouring out with his own hands what will happen to HIS body and blood in such a short time. In some of his last moments before he’s arrested, we see Jesus continue to do what he’s been doing since the beginning: to serve and give of himself to us.
As they celebrated the Passover, a feast that recalled when the Israelite’s firstborns were spared by the blood of a lamb on their doorposts, once again a lamb would be sacrificed. However, this time the perfect Lamb of God would be sacrificed. Once and for all. Sparing each of us who believe, covered by his blood.
I believe that Jesus’ command for the disciples remains for us today: to remember. Leading into Good Friday and then Easter Sunday, let’s lean in and remember what Jesus has done for us. All of us who believe who he is and in his work on the cross have been spared. We have been passed over by our due punishment and have been granted “the new covenant in [Jesus’] blood.”
Lord, we remember you today. We recognize your sacrifice and payment for our sin. We praise you for your love toward us. Let us see more and more of your new covenant in us as we remember and celebrate you this weekend!