Redefining the Table
As they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take and eat it; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks, he gave it to them and said, “Drink from it, all of you. For this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” – Matthew 26:26-28
Every year, the Jewish people celebrated Passover the same way. The same foods. The same Scriptures. The same story from Exodus 12. It was tradition, much like how many families celebrate Christmas today. Familiar. Predictable. Meaningful.
The disciples assumed this Passover would be no different. But when Jesus spoke, He redefined the table.
He took bread and said, “This is my body.” He took the cup and said, “This is my blood of the covenant.” These were shocking words. Jewish law prohibited drinking blood. The idea of a new covenant would have challenged everything they understood about salvation.
Jesus was declaring that He was the ultimate Passover Lamb. What the blood of lambs did in Egypt, His blood would do for all people for eternity. Forgiveness. Salvation. Freedom.
John the Baptist had announced it earlier. “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” Now Jesus was making it personal. Salvation would no longer come through the law or sacrifices, but through grace by faith in Him.
Jesus was preparing them for the cross, the resurrection, and His return. He was inviting them to receive grace and respond in faith.
The table was no longer just a place of remembrance. It became a place of transformation. Jesus still redefines tables today. When we come to Him, He invites us to leave assumptions behind and receive grace fully.
Every year, the Jewish people celebrated Passover the same way. The same foods. The same Scriptures. The same story from Exodus 12. It was tradition, much like how many families celebrate Christmas today. Familiar. Predictable. Meaningful.
The disciples assumed this Passover would be no different. But when Jesus spoke, He redefined the table.
He took bread and said, “This is my body.” He took the cup and said, “This is my blood of the covenant.” These were shocking words. Jewish law prohibited drinking blood. The idea of a new covenant would have challenged everything they understood about salvation.
Jesus was declaring that He was the ultimate Passover Lamb. What the blood of lambs did in Egypt, His blood would do for all people for eternity. Forgiveness. Salvation. Freedom.
John the Baptist had announced it earlier. “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” Now Jesus was making it personal. Salvation would no longer come through the law or sacrifices, but through grace by faith in Him.
Jesus was preparing them for the cross, the resurrection, and His return. He was inviting them to receive grace and respond in faith.
The table was no longer just a place of remembrance. It became a place of transformation. Jesus still redefines tables today. When we come to Him, He invites us to leave assumptions behind and receive grace fully.
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