“I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father’s kingdom” (Matthew 26:29).
The great message of Christmas was/remains that God is with us.
This, I believe is the essential meaning of Christmas. God is so much with us that He came down…the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.
Christmas was the inauguration of God’s permanent dwelling with us (Revelation 21:).
The Scriptures is the Book of God’s great act of love: His presence in His creation and Him being present with humanity: starting with the Jewish people and culminating with His people: a multitude from all nations.
God was with Israel by providing a way out of slavery and bondage to freedom.
For thousands of years they celebrated Passover (Numbers 28:16).
Jesus and His disciples celebrated Passover (Luke 22:15) remembering God’s act of love – sparing the lives of their ancestors. The main elements of the Passover were the lamb and the story behind the celebration.
For us, God provided a way out of slavery and the bondage of sin into freedom in Christ (Romans 6:22). Together with John, we are looking and see the Lamb of God (John 1:29).
The Scriptures – everything that we have in the NT about Jesus’ life and teaching is an invitation to enter life. His words and teachings were given for our life…and a better life at that.
His words are meant to put life back into life. Listen to Peter, “…Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68).
The Lord’s Supper passage is more than an “order of service” – a structure to follow in our celebration. It is God’s way of calling us to be free and hopeful: free from sin and hopeful of the future: God’s future.