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..gimme a break, break me off a piece of that..matza?
When I was little (okay, little-er), my friends and I would run over to the communion tables after service and devour the last of the elements, not knowing the significance of them or even that they served any purpose at all. All we knew was that grape juice and bread was a perfect combination and really hit the spot, especially after a long day’s work coloring pictures of the 12 disciples and spending our Bible Bucks “wisely”. Times have changed a little bit since then.
Every Sunday we take communion, we eat matza. And being in a house with a Jew-wannabe (mum), I know a little something about this stuff. The most important item of the Passover ceremony is unleavened bread, or matza. The name “Passover” refers to the fact that God “passed over” the houses of the Jews when he was killing the firstborn of the Egyptians. The significance of matza is that it’s a reminder of the Jews’ leaving Egypt in a hurry, and not having enough time to let their bread rise. It shows how God led them out of the bondage of slavery in Egypt.
As Luke 12 goes on, it talks about the betrayal of Jesus by Judas. This act sort of turns the significance of the Passover to the Sacrifice that Jesus is about to make. At this Passover meal (the Last Supper), Jesus emphasizes in Luke 12:17-20 that we should take the unleavened bread in remembrance of His broken body and the cup in remembrance of His shed blood. As the Jews still celebrate the first Passover in remembrance of when God led them out of bondage in Egypt, Jesus asks us to remember His body and blood being shed to break the bonds of slavery to sin. (1 Corinthians 5:7)
Christi, thanks for takeing time to share with us this morning, In our culture being passed over is a negative thing. No one wants to be left out. But this passover is so we can be included in life. Praise God for His blood which covers me from death.
I love that we use matza for communion. It’s a beautiful picture of our Messiah, and what He did. It’s without leaven (sin), and it has the appearance of being bruised, striped and pierced. “He was pierced for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities…the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5)
Thanks, Christi-Lou
Christi, you’ve done a great job communicating the significance of communion. There’s more Jew-wannabe’s around than just your mom. Can’t think of a better thing to want to be.
Christi -
Thanks for writing this. I’m glad you have been given such a wonderful heritage which enables you to know details about the Passover… and how it ties into our communion. A lot of people don’t have what you have!! (way to go, Mum).
I’m going to be teaching about all of this in two weeks as we examine the Last Supper… can’t wait. Get ready for some bitter herbs, baby!!
Thanks oh adopted one! YOU’RE AWESOME.
love you,
alan
Christi:
You have tackled this issue brilliantly, and knwoing you and your mom, I am not surprised. I hope it encourages many of us to take the matter of salvation by trusting in Jesus very seriously and “quickly” as symbolized by the Matza.
Many thanks for your insight,
Atif
Christi: The most remarkable thing to me is your testimony–which is the most precious gift we have to give Him in return for all He gives to us. I’ve watched you since you surprised us all with your sober acceptance of God as four-year old, but with a seriousness which made it clear that you were aware of His presence as a formidable force in your daily life. And I’ve watched you process events from eye level through that lens. I did a word study yesterday and today on “testimony” as it was revealed progressively though the Old Testament in regard to the Ark of the Covenant, the Tabernacle, Israel itself, etc…including personal “testimonies” such as the one given to Jacob: “For He established a TESTIMONY in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children…” And later on in the New Testament it defines what the “testimony” is: I John 5:10 “And this is the TESTIMONY, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His son…” Accordingly, he Lord has established a “testimony” in your young life. Thank you for sharing it with us, Csroline Debs