The Power of the Lord's Table
More than a wafer and wine, taking the body and blood of Jesus in Holy Communion is our covenant of deliverance. It is through this meal at the Lord’s table that we find healing; it is through this meal that we experience miracles; it is at the Lord’s table that we enter into His presence and most importantly, take His presence into our being so that we may then project it to the world.
In Luke 22, when Jesus shared the Last Supper with His disciples, He conveyed the power of the Passover to Holy Communion. It was the end of one tradition, and the beginning of a new one. No longer would we have to sacrifice a lamb for atonement—He became the lamb. Nowhere in the account of this Passover meal did they mention the lamb. Because at the Last Supper the Lamb was not on the table, He was sitting at the table.
Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.”
“Where do you want us to prepare for it?” they asked. He replied, “As you enter the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him to the house that he enters, and say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ He will show you a large room upstairs, all furnished. Make preparations there.” They left and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover. When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.” After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.” – Luke 22:14-20
Christ became the sacrifice for our atonement. In the Old Testament Passover, the blood of the lamb was applied to the doorpost so the death angel would pass over those homes. Therefore, the Passover became a feast of remembrance and celebration of the deliverance of Israel from bondage. At the Last Supper, Jesus and the disciples celebrated the last Passover, and the first Communion. Jesus set the stage for generations ahead to look back and remember our deliverance at the Cross.
At the cross we were freed from the bondage of sin and death. We were healed of sickness and disease. We were delivered from addiction and captivity. Communion should never become common, because as we partake of His body and His blood, we are remembering that all things in our life which have been dismembered are now put back together for a fresh start.
The Passover signified the beginning of a new year in the Old Testament. Atonement was made and they no longer had to look back in grief or sorrow. Now, Communion signifies a new beginning for you and me. We no longer have to live in guilt and shame, or bondage. The miraculous power of the Lord’s Table is that it cleanses you, and makes you whole.
No other blood on earth can make something clean … but the Blood of Jesus washes over you and leaves no stain! “Do this in remembrance of me.” Experience the deliverance of Christ in each Holy Communion. Take the Last Supper knowing that the lamb was sacrificed for you—and in Him, you are free.
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