Jesus’ sacrificial death occurred at the time when the Passover lambs were slain (Mark 14:12). Years later, the Apostle Paul wrote, “For Christ our Passover also has been sacrificed” (1 Cor 5:7). He said that through the blood of Christ we were delivered from slavery to the domain of darkness and transferred into the kingdom of the Father’s beloved Son “in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Col 1:13–14).
It is also significant that each of the four gospel accounts devote chapters to the sacrificial death of Jesus. We are to remember and look upon the Lamb that was slain, the eternal sacrifice on our behalf, as we confess our sins; for there we receive our cleansing and forgiveness, there we receive our healing, and there we have access to a new life with our heavenly Father.
The book of Revelation shows a picture of heaven. There in the presence of the Father, before His throne, is the Lamb who was slain (Rev 5:6); and every created being in heaven and in earth worships singing, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain Who purchased with His blood men and women from every tribe on earth” (Rev 5:9, 12). Later in the book there’s a picture of a great multitude of people from every nation and tribe, a multitude so great no one can count. And it is said of this great multitude, “They will hunger no longer, nor thirst anymore; nor will the sun beat down on them, nor any heat; for the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd and will guide them to springs of the water of life; and God will wipe every tear from their eyes” (Rev 7:16–17).
Worship, praise, thanksgiving, and devotion are given to the Father who gave us His beloved Son, the eternal Word of God, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. The Lamb is our deliverer through our redemption by His blood; our sustainer through partaking of His life; and our leader who guides, instructs, and transforms us as sons and daughters in the household of our Heavenly Father. Therefore, every time we gather together in His name, we are to remember Him by partaking of bread and wine. We drink of the wine, the blood of our forgiveness and covenant relationship with God. We eat the bread, His body, our sustenance, healing, and life. We partake of the Lamb ready to journey forward in our life—a life that continually unfolds as God’s beloved children.
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