Matthew 26:28
"For this is My blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins."
This is the origin of Holy Communion. At the Last Supper, Jesus gave His Disciples bread saying; "TAKE, EAT; this is My BODY." Then He gives them WINE and says; "Drink ye all of it;" They are sharing what seems like a normal feast of the Passover. On everyone's mind is the first Passover, when the lamb was slain. It's blood painted on the doorposts and it's meat served at the dinner. All to save the FIRST born sons from the Angel of Death.
And, then things take a turn, in today's verse; "For this is My blood of the NEW testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins." This is not part of the Passover tradition! Everyone's ears would have perked up. This is Jesus's blood? The NEW Testament? (Some translate it as NEW Covenant.) And! Jesus's blood shed? What is He talking about has to be on everyone's mind. God is making a NEW Covenant with people through the Redeemer, the Messiah, the Son of God. The "old" covenant was that which was made with the Jews by the sprinkling of the blood of animal sacrifices. The NEW Covenant is made by Jesus's own blood. We commemorate this moment in Holy Communion. By the pure mystery of God; Jesus is with us in Holy Communion. He is with us. He is close to us. We hold Jesus in our hands. As we hold Holy Communion we touch God. It's God's promise to you.
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