Oct 13

Luke 22:14-20
Memorise Ephesians 2:7
“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

Today, Jews practice the Passover as a means to remember the time when God delivered Israel from bondage by putting Egypt through the 10 plagues. In the 10th plague, the Spirit of the Lord descended and killed the first born of every Egyptian household. The people of Israel were told to mark their doorposts with the blood of a spotless lamb. Upon seeing this, the Spirit of the Lord would “pass over” that house and not kill the first- born. Hence the first born of all those who obeyed this instruction were spared from death by the blood of the lamb. The Passover was instituted by God not only to commemorate this event but also to look forward to the work of Christ. In like manner, as the blood of the lamb caused the Spirit of the Lord to pass over the people, the blood of Christ would justify sinners and deliver them from the wrath of God. The lamb was meant to represent Christ and the slaying of the lamb was meant to represent the death and the shedding of the blood of Christ. The Passover was merely a shadow of the thing it represents which was the work of Christ on the Cross. As Christ has completed His work, there is no longer a need for the Passover. Christ confirmed this in v16 and 18 when He said that He would no longer eat or drink of the Passover until “it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God” which refers to the future event where the Church will be united with Christ in heaven. As Christ has already been sacrificed on the Cross at Calvary, the Passover no longer needs to practiced.

In its place, Christ instituted the Lord’s Supper. (vv19, 20). Through that, we now look back and remember the death of Christ for us. Christ was emphatic in vv19 and 20 by repeating that both His body and His blood were given for our sakes. He will suffer great pain and finally be put to death while his blood will be shed because of His love for us. In Romans 5:6-8, we learn how Christ died for the ungodly. Some may venture to lay down their life for someone who is good, but God commendeth His love toward us, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Christ gave His body and blood for enemies, for people who once hated Him. Christ died for us sinners. This is God’s gift to you because He loves you and sacrificed His begotten Son for your sake. There is no greater love.

Thought: Are you hesitant to accept God’s love? If so, why?
Prayer: Lord, I believe Thee and accept Thy gift of salvation