Matthew 26:1-29.  The officials in Jerusalem are even now plotting to have Jesus arrested and killed.  A woman anoints him with expensive oil, and Jesus allows the extravagance because she is preparing him for burial.  Judas conspires to betray him.  Jesus prepares for his last Passover, and celebrates it with his disciples.  He institutes a new ritual at the end of the celebration.  A simple snack of bread and wine symbolizes the most important event of all time.  His body is about to be broken, and his blood “poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (28).  Believers will celebrate God’s grace by partaking of this ritual from then on.  But he will not “until that day” that we will celebrate together at the marriage feast he has prepared.

LORD, may we never partake of communion without remembering that it is a celebration of grace – an anticipation of our mutual joy.

“until that day” (26:29).