And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer”. Luke 22:15 NIV
As families, many of us celebrate the holidays together with a good meal. Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner have major preparation while Memorial Day and Independence Day are cookouts and picnic foods.
One Thanksgiving, our family was gathered around the table enjoying our dinner when a big crash was heard in the kitchen. Upon investigation, we discovered Seneca had not received her fair share of the turkey and took it upon herself to remedy the situation. The pan was overturned on the kitchen floor with turkey and broth being lapped up quickly by Seneca. Mallory and Bella were eager to join in with the clean up. Seneca ended up being sick that night but like the rest of us, she had enjoyed holiday overeating.
Jesus shared many meals with his disciples. He always thanked his father for providing the food before partaking. He even multiplied the loaves and the fishes to ensure everyone had enough to eat (Matthew 14:13-21). After his resurrection, Jesus cooked and prepared breakfast for his disciples (John 21:1-14).
In Luke 22, Jesus made preparations for the Passover meal. It would be his last supper with his disciples before he died. He blessed the food and told them, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.”
Today, our celebration is referred to as communion. Communion is the service of Christian worship at which bread and wine are consecrated and shared. Communion is defined by the sharing or exchanging of intimate thoughts and feelings, especially when the exchange is on a mental or spiritual level. We are to commune with God and our fellow Christians as we share in the communion meal. We are told in I Corinthians 11:26 that, “For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”
We need to commune with God daily. Our focus should be on him as we talk to him about everything. Communion with God takes place when we share our heart and mind with God in prayer and praise. Jesus promised us a Helper in John 14:16, “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever.” In verse 23, he tells us, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him.”
We don’t have to wait to have communion with God in a church service. We have him abiding within us. Commune with him and share your heart in prayer. He desires to eat this meal with you just as he did his disciples. Make Jesus apart of all you do. Communion is a moment by moment intimate exchange between you and your Savior.
Just Another Dog Devotion 