Page 20 - Living Light Autumn 23

Wed September 20 - The Passover meal
“...take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the door-
frames of the houses where they eat the lambs. Exodus 12:7
At each home’s entrance the daubed blood kept death away. As families and neighbours ate the meat they remembered God’s love, trusting in his rescue plan. Bitter herbs represented slavery under Pharaoh. Unleavened bread signified living a pure life, because yeast symbolises sin.
Both the body and blood of the lamb were needed to guarantee God’s protection of Israel in Egypt. Sharing bread and wine in a communion service, we remember the ‘Last Supper’ Passover feast that Jesus shared with his disciples. Jesus had told them, “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day... Whoever... drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them” (John 6:53-56).
In one of his letters Paul writes, ‘The Lord Jesus, on the night 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, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes’ (1 Corinthians 11:23-26). Do we believe this?
Holy Spirit, next time I receive communion please draw me closer to Jesus. Amen.
Thursday September 21 - Ready for the journey “This is how you are to eat it: with your cloak tucked into your belt, your
sandals on your feet and your staff in your hand. Exodus 12:11
Imagine the scene! A couple of million people that night sheltered inside, in the darkness of their final night in Egypt. There had been several false starts, because after some of the plagues Pharaoh agreed to let the Israelites leave but then changed his mind. But this time God said they must be ready to go. Everyone was packed and dressed for travel as they stood to eat. Next day, amidst the wailing of Egyptian neighbours who, not heeding God’s warning, had lost their firstborns on that fearful night, the Israelites began an epic journey of faith out of slavery towards the land God had promised to them. As we know, because of their disobedience, grumbling, idolatry and doubt the people of Israel wandered forty years in the desert before they were allowed to enter this new land! The journey should have taken a matter of days, but God waited for that faithless generation to die out. Tragically, they forfeited his blessing.
Let us not miss out like that by resisting God’s purposes, but keep trusting him through times of darkness and uncertainty. As we journey with him there will be delays and interruptions – prayers still unanswered, plans frustrated, desires unmet. But may these experiences help us to grow and humbly seek the Father’s will, and surrender to the Holy Spirit as he leads us along the paths that Jesus, our sacrificial Lamb, has prepared, wherever they may take us.
Lord, help me to walk faithfully through the journey you have ordained for me. Amen.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
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PRAYER FOR TODAY