UNDESERVED: God’s Gift of Grace
Communion
Jesus transforms the Passover into a gift from God for all who believe. “This is my body.” “This is my blood.” “For the forgiveness of sins.” In communion, Jesus comes to us in the bread and wine giving life and forgiveness. Yes, it’s a mystery, but we believe he’s there. Find out for yourself.
Weekly Memory Verse: Matthew 26:27-28
“Take and eat; this is my body.” … “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”
Monday, March 26 Read Exodus 12:1-30. God was serious about saving his people. So to remember his final plague against the Egyptians he set forth a lasting ordinance called the Passover. How does the gift commemorated in the Passover anticipate the gift of Jesus?
Tuesday, March 27 Read Matthew 26:1-30. Jesus deviates from the script. The unleavened bread that symbolized their swift departure “is” Jesus body. The cup of redemption that reminded them of the blood shed for their release “is” Jesus blood. Is? Is.
Wednesday, March 28 Read John 6. On one level, Jesus is talking about receiving the words of eternal life. If we take the text to speak symbolically of Communion, what does it tell us about what we receive in the bread and wine?
Thursday, March 29 Read 1 Corinthians 10. Focus in on vs. 16-17. If the bread is a participation with Jesus’ body and the wine a participation with Jesus’ blood, what does that achieve for us? Where does true unity come for the Christian church?
Friday, March 30 Read 1 Corinthians 11. Paul identified some divisions in the church which resulted in them forfeiting God’s gift. What was the problem? What was Paul’s solution? How should we ensure that we don’t follow in the footsteps of the Corinthian church?
Saturday, March 31 Read Acts 2:42-47. The “breaking of bread” is usually understood to include both communion and other fellowship meals. How is Communion a part of our life together?
Bethel Lutheran Church, St. Paul, MN – bethelstpaul.com