Luke 22:18-20 For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come. And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.

I would like to tie together three things here that were addressed in yesterday’s devotional. If you have not read it, perhaps it would be best to visit that one first before you read on.

First the issue of the wine. According to Jewish betrothal rituals, when the bridegroom goes to prepare a home for his bride, he will not drink any wine until the wedding feast. In this case symbolic of Christ gathering His bride to Himself at the end of the church age.

Secondly there is a remembrance associated with the partaking of the bread which is missing in the partaking of the blood. As we partake of our piece of the whole loaf, we should remember we are but one part of the whole, a member of the universal church, His bride. This is the communion of saints where we are asked to remember why we have fellowship with one another.

Two issues surround the blood upon which a remembrance is not required. The first is that the sacrifice was once and for all. We do not sacrifice Christ afresh. Refer to Hebrews 6:6 for context. Secondly the symbolic gesture of drinking is in context to the New Testament. You do not remember the New Testament as a thing you once consumed and need to remember to do it again. You live this covenant of blood and is not merely an exercise of a sacred moment but rather the exercise of a sacred life.