In the Footsteps of Jesus #23

^{Scripture: Matthew 26:17-19, 26-29}

¹⁷Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Where will you have us prepare for you to eat the Passover?" ¹⁸He said, "Go into the city to a certain man and say to him, 'The Teacher says, My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.'" ¹⁹And the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover...

²⁶Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, "Take, eat; this is my body." ²⁷And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, "Drink of it, all of you, ²⁸for this is my blood of the^[b] covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. ²⁹I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom."

"FORETASTE"

"I am standing at the center of the Christian faith." That was what I thought as I turned to offer a brief message before the communion service. Our group was seated in the middle of the garden that housed the empty tomb. Just a few hundred feet away I could glimpse the top of Calvary. I could look over my shoulder and stare into the site of Christ’s resurrection. The most important places in salvation history and we were there sharing the Lord’s Supper.

This was the most meaningful communion I had ever shared in. Our group was a mixed one. It included different races, denominations, genders and ages. As we shared the bread and the wine, all the barriers that could have separated us were transcended by the unifying power of the Holy Spirit. It was a glimpse of what heaven will be like when we gather for the Lamb’s Wedding Supper. At that moment we will truly know what Paul means: “There is one body and one Spirit...one hope...one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all, who is above all and through all and in all.”

How tragic that such unity is rarely experienced on this side of eternity. Friends, let us work to break down the walls that separate true believers and share together a foretaste of what is to come!

Question: How can we promote Christian unity?

Prayer: Father, break down the walls and bind us together. In Jesus’ name. Amen.