For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
As He often did, Jesus took something common and familiar and used it to teach His disciples. They were about to eat the Passover meal when Jesus said the words now so dear and familiar to us, “This bread is my body, this cup is my blood. Do this in remembrance of me.”
I’m sure they were confused, as they had been all evening. Jesus had washed their feet as a servant would, named His betrayer, and predicted that He would be denied by those closest to him (John 13). It was certainly a lot for them to take in, but Jesus knew the urgency of teaching these lessons quickly as His time was short.
Most still didn’t understand as they went to the garden to pray. Jesus took His closest friends for support as He prepared to give Himself up for us. Are we prepared to go with Him, to ask God to forgive our lack of understanding, our denial, our betrayal of Him?
Heavenly Father, forgive us when we don’t understand or when we intentionally turn away. Help our unbelief! May we be faithful as Jesus was, to obey even when we are afraid, knowing that Your love is enough to protect us from all evil. Amen.