Broken and Poured Out

17And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves. 18For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 19And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 20And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. 
Luke 22:17-20
Communion, the Lord's Supper,  a religious practice that Jesus instituted before his death on the cross to remind his followers of what he did for us. The disciples were gathered around a table eating the Passover Supper. Jesus instituted a practice that he wanted his disciples to follow. We still follow this practice today.  As I read in my Bible each day I try to write something about what I am reading that day. Today this 22 nd chapter of Luke is talking about the Last Supper. I don't think I have ever written about it before.    I believe it is told about in all four of the gospels. In John, it is mentioned but the emphasis is given on the washing of the disciple's feet. It is a practice I have witnessed all of my life from a child. I do not know what age I was when I first partook of communion, but I would guess I have had the Lord's supper over several hundred times. It has been practiced in various ways over the years. As a child, I remember they had a dedicated night for the Lord's supper several times a year. The Pastor would give communion to each individual member sitting at a table. Another member would kneel behind the person receiving communion and pray for them. then they would change places or another person would come to the table and it was repeated. It was a small church at that time. I remember another time when everyone receiving communion would gather in front of the altar and the pastor would go down the row of people and give each one a piece of the bread and a cup of wine. Or in most Christian churches it is grape juice. They eat a small piece of bread and drink the cup representing the body of Christ and the blood of Christ that was shed for our sins. It is done to remind us of what Jesus did on the cross so many years ago. He was whipped, a crown of thorns put on this head. Nailed to a cross, nails driven through his hands and feet and then the cross is stood upright until the person on the cross dies. We are taught not to take this lightly, we are taught to take a moment of reflection and ask forgiveness for any sins we have committed. In more recent years in the church, I now attend, it is passed out to the congregation by the deacons and all receive the Lord's Supper at the same time. Sometimes tables will be set up around the sanctuary and we can go as families to partake as a family unit. I have seen it done so many ways. Always we are asked to reflect on what Jesus has done for us, dying on a cross for all the sins of the world. Jesus's body was broken for us. Jesus shed his blood that we might be forgiven of our sins because of His shed blood on the cross. Hundreds of times I have been reminded of what Jesus did for me. It has become so commonplace in my life, as I think about this.  I have probably partaken of the Lord's Supper some 40 times in the last seven years in Mississippi.  Hope Church has communion about six times a year. 6 times 7 is 42. Do I stop each time and really think about this practice that I have done hundreds of times in my life? Different Churches have different ways of doing this and I have seen many different ways over the years. But each time it represents the body and blood of Jesus that was shed for me. Do I really stop and appreciate what Jesus did for me? Do I remember he died a cruel death on that cross for me? He did nothing wrong. Jesus did not deserve to be put to death. He did it to pay for my sins. As oft as ye do this, remember Jesus died for our sins. God bless, LVZ.