Tuesday, April 15, 2025

Listen to the Word

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” (Matthew 26:26)

Jesus’ disciples thought they were eating just another Passover meal with Jesus. They were prepared to celebrate God’s rescue of their ancestors from slavery in Egypt, just like they had celebrated it every other year of their lives. They knew the ritual by heart, so they must have been shocked when Jesus altered the centuries-old script and made the meal all about himself. Instead of using the unleavened bread to point to the haste with which God’s people high-tailed it from Egypt, he broke the bread and said it was his body. He then redefined the significance of the Passover wine, telling them it represented his blood poured out for their forgiveness.

Jesus audaciously claimed to be orchestrating a rescue that would make the miracles of the exodus seem like cute little parlor tricks. He indicated that the Passover was just a preview, and he himself was the feature presentation.

Live the Word

Think of someone you know who needs the rescue that only Jesus can offer, and pray for that person.