Malankara World

Weekly Devotional

The New Covenant - Passover

by Fr. Dmitri, New Zealand

Thursday 1 April 2010

HOMILY:

THE PASSOVER (PESACH)

About 40 years prior to the destruction of the Temple, Jesus not only claimed to be the Messiah (Jn. 4:25-26), but also He had come to fulfill the meaning of the Passover Sacrifice.

And what is now known commonly as the Last Supper, Jesus held up the elements Wine and Matzah and applied them to Himself. During the meal, He broke unleavened bread with His disciples, and then held that broken Matzah in His hands, saying: "this is My Body which is given for you; do this in Remembrance of Me." (Luke 22:19). Then, after the meal, He held up a cup of Wine with the same force of personal application to Himself, and said: "This cup is the New Covenant in My Blood, which is shed for you." (Luke 22:20).

They were claims that were outrageous and blasphemous if they were not true. But they were true and they help to explain why the Feast of the Passover would go through such a change over the years. Look at Jeremiah 31:31-34.

Obviously, the New Covenant has not yet reached its complete fulfillment. While many Jews and Gentiles have come to faith in Jesus and God remembers their sins no more. Yet not all of the house of Israel and the house of Judah have taken this step of Faith.

Those who believe in Jesus as Messiah, believe that each time we share the Cup of Communion, we share in the Passover Cup of the New Covenant. With this symbol of our Redemption, we remember not only the death of Christ but also the Blood that has Sealed the New Covenant, for: "in Him we have redemption through His Blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace." (Eph.1:7)

To Thee be glory and Praise, now and ever, unto Ages of Ages.

AMEN!

Copyright DR

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