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In Mark 14, Jesus sat down with his disciples during the Last Supper and broke the bread saying “This is my body.” He poured the wine saying “This is my blood.” Essentially, He was communicating that all the old methods of sacrificing animals to God had come to an end. The Lamb of God was about to accomplish the ultimate sacrifice. But, it comes with a cost, so, we now celebrate and remember this tremendous cost.
Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53 say the body of Jesus was so badly beaten it was barely recognizable. The blood that was poured out was not taken from Him, but rather, given freely by Jesus Himself for both you and me. In John 10, verse 18 when speaking of his own life, Jesus says, “No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”
Many kings, celebrities, and great men and women with phenomenal achievements have monuments or statues erected to represent their legacy. Jesus does not leave us with a mighty statue. He didn’t intend to. The humility and simplicity of bread and wine are what we do in remembrance of Him. So, let us not ever forget the reason why we honor and celebrate our King by participating in the ceremony He started.