Red Wine
1 Corinthians 11:23-26 The Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. (ESV)
Good Friday – the day when we remember that on that Cross, Jesus died. He shed His blood so that the price that God’s justice demands for our sin – yours and mine – would be paid in full. That makes this a very Good Friday.
The idea of a blood sacrifice, to us here in the 21st Century AD, seems gruesome. It’s culturally jarring. But in ancient times it was a common practice across all religions, including Judaism.
Blood, in Scripture, is the symbol of life. And wine was often used to symbolise blood. It was also considered a royal drink which symbolised freedom. That’s why four cups of wine, still today, are traditionally drunk by Jews during the Passover meal.
And on this Good Friday, as we remember the shedding of Jesus’ blood, here are His words during His final Passover meal:
1 Corinthians 11:23-26 The Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. (ESV)
His promise to you – His unbreakable covenant – is that if you put all your trust in what He did for you on that Cross, you are forgiven. You have the gift of eternal life. Friend, His blood was shed for you. He died for you, to pay for your sin, so that you could be free.
That’s Good Friday. A very Good Friday, indeed.
And that’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.
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