Remember The Cost
While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples saying, “Take it; this is my body.” Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, and they all drank from it. “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them. “I tell you the truth, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it anew in the kingdom of God.” -- Mark 14:22-25
Most Christians will take part in the Lord’s Supper sometime during this Easter weekend. You might call it something different but it’s the same. The final meal Jesus shared with His disciples. We eat, drink, and remember His words.
I’ve been studying Jesus’ final hours on this earth. It is horrifying and frankly I’d rather just gloss them over and move on to the big finish -- the Resurrection. It’s so much nicer than the agony of the cross. Yet there is no Risen Lord without the shameful and humiliating walk to Calvary.
Mark barely mentions the flogging. It seems such a trivial thing. “He had Jesus flogged and handed him over to be crucified.“ (Mark 15:15b) Our minds travel immediately to the cross. Yet flogging was no picnic. The men who did it were specially trained to inflict the maximum pain without killing the person being flogged. The whip likely had glass, nails and other sharp objects attached to it. Some scholars suspect the person was flogged on both his front as well as his back. The whip would tear at the person’s skin, ripping it open. Exposed. Jesus blood would have dripped down from His torn body.
As you take a piece of broken bread during this Holy Week, focus on Jesus’ broken body. As you sip the red wine or juice, think of Jesus’ blood running down His body. Remember what He did for you and me. Think of the suffering He endured for us. Remember what your salvation, and mine, cost an innocent man. Now picture Him sitting there, at the right side of God, his hand outstretched and beckoning you forward. Take His hand and remember.
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