Much of our daily life is lived on “automatic”. Because we do many things the same way, every day, they become familiar, well established routines.
Unfortunately, that which has become familiar often diminishes in value or loses its impact.Such were my thoughts re the “last supper”. 1 Cor 11:23 This wasn’t
the first time Jesus gathered His disciples together for supper and to break bread. It was customary for them to do so.
Yet, as soon as Jesus spoke, it became clear this was a different night.

He began, as always, with giving thanks. “(He) took bread; and when He
had given thanks, He broke it and said, Take, eat;
But, wait….tonight He said something more…. “ this is My body
which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.
In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup
is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in
remembrance of Me.”

Were the disciples bewildered by Jesus words….comparing Himself to
a loaf of bread? Or did they remember that Jesus had referred to Himself
on earlier occasions as being The Bread of Life….the Living Bread that came
down from heaven. John 6:35; 51

Did they “connect the dots” and realize that night what Jesus was revealing
to them. Did they understand the symbolism of eating the bread and drinking
the wine.? This had to be the ultimate prophetic act…a heads up on
what was about to take place. In the past, they often proved themselves
unable to understand what Jesus was teaching them.

They may have remembered when Jesus spoke, He distinguished between the
existing law – ”You say” , and His teachings – ”but, I say” Matt 5:21
Even so, it seems doubtful they understood He was soon to validate this new
covenant by shedding His blood. It appears from the disciples overall response
to Jesus’ betrayal and death, they had not as yet understood His words

Do any of us fully understand the significance of all Jesus said and did that
night? How we live our lives reveals the degree of our understanding.

In obedience to “do this in remembrance of Me”, many people reenact the
last supper (communion) on a regular basis. For some it has become automatic;
a meaningless routine, with little memory of the night Jesus spoke those words.
Repetition without awareness or revelation is of little value!

Jesus often taught by example. When He humbled Himself and washed the
disciples feet, He said, “For I have given you an example, that you should do as
I have done to you.” John 13:15
Would His command to “do this” have deeper personal significance in that
now we are like bread and our lives are to be broken and
given to others? Our life blood is to be poured out for others? Yikes!

It starts to come together when we remember Who Jesus is. He is The Word of God;
the visible representation of the invisible God.
He is the Great Physician, the Healer – God Words are “life to those who find them,
and health to all the flesh.” Prov 4:22

This is necessary food!
‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the
mouth of God.” Deut 8:3 When we eat (read, memorize, meditate
on God’s words), we have something to feed to others. Beyond that, following
Jesus example again, we willingly sacrifice our lives to serve others.

It starts with giving thanks!