Devotion for 2 October

A brief prayer is offered that you can add to your daily prayers this week. The scripture is from our Sunday Service Bulletin for today.  Today we resume the sermon series on “Foundations, back to the basics of faith”.  Our discussion theme today is on the Lord’s Supper as a foundational part of our faith. The theme and content of the devotion is from Concordia’s Preaching Project.

Gospel Reading: Luke 22:14-20 (English Standard Version)

14 And when the hour came, he reclined at table, and the apostles with him. 15 And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” 17 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves.18 For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 And 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.” 20 And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.

Devotion: Saved by the Blood of the Lamb

The Passover feast was celebrated by the Jewish tribes who were thankful that they were freed from bondage in Egypt. The blood of the lambs was placed over the doors of the faithful Jews and they escaped suffering; however, the lambs did have to suffer.  Much of Jesus’ ministry has centered around alleviating suffering!  But to escape the suffering of sin, a Lamb needs to suffer. For the forgiveness of our sins God’s lamb, Jesus, suffered, bled, and died. Our Sacrament, the Lord’s Supper, was given to us by God to provide us two things: forgiveness and fellowship. This Sacrament has two dimensions about it. Vertically, God is coming to us. Horizontally, we are banded together with other Christians because we share Christ in common.  This is why this meal is also called Communion. Just like God comes to us in this Sacrament, He will come for us on the last day.

We pray: Lord we thank You for Your Lamb’s sacrifice. Amen