Every Lord’s day I am struck with awe as we eat the supper of the Lord. I think about the magnitude of God’s great gift. My heart aches for the sacrifice of love which required Jesus to experience a cruel death and required the Father to turn away from his Son in the darkest hour of his short life on earth.

Isaiah prophesied about the death of our Lord, He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement [scourging] for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed…He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth (Isa. 53:5, 7). David gave a detailed description, For dogs have surrounded Me; the congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me. They pierced My hands and My feet; I can count all My bones. They look and stare at Me. They divide My garments among them, and for My clothing they cast lots, and the Lord’s anguishing cry, My God, My God, why have you forsaken me? (Psalm 22:16b-18, 1).

Jesus was wounded so you and I could be healed. He was rejected so we could be accepted. He was cursed so we could be blessed. He was forsaken so we could be found. He wore a bloody robe and crown of thorns so we could one day wear a white robe and an imperishable crown of life (Rev. 6:11; 1 Corinthians 9:5, James 1:12).

There has never been nor ever will be a greater memorial than the one in which we participate every Sunday. Instead of hurrying through it so we can get everything done within the hour, we should beg for more time to reflect on our Savior’s body and blood. And God forbid that we ever regard it as a mere ritual. If we do, we indict ourselves and our hearts need a major adjustment (1 Corinthians 11:27-32). Participating in the Lord’s Supper is a privilege and honor beyond comparison! !

Today’s Verse: And they made His grave with the wicked—But with the rich at His death, Because He had done no violence, Nor was any deceit in His mouth. Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin, Isa 53:9:-10a)!

–Teresa Hampton