the story of easter: part 2
Hey, friend! My name is Kaitlin and I lead the candle crew and Missions Committee here at the studio. 🤗
At Antique Candle Co.®, Holy Week inspires us to reflect on what Christ has done for all of us. As we read through the story of the Last Supper today, I am filled with hope and gratitude. It’s a powerful, sacrificial story and I’m looking forward to sharing it with you.
Earlier this week we read through the story of Palm Sunday. If you missed it, no worries...you can still read it with us at the link below!
What is the greatest sacrifice and act of love that someone has made for you?
My parents come to mind. They have loved me so sacrificially through the years. From infancy through my adult life, I’ve seen them choose to love me and serve me even when it was hard. I think about all of the diapers they changed, the toddler tantrums I probably threw, the teen years where I wasn’t the sweetest to be around, and the money they gave to allow me to participate in things I was passionate about. I’m thankful for them. Their outpouring of love, no matter the situation, has shown me a glimpse of what Christ’s love is like - unconditional & unending.
The Last Supper foreshadows an event that is so full of sacrificial love. Would you read through Matthew 26: 26 - 30 (ESV) with me?
26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the ]covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.30 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives."
In the final days of Jesus’ life, He met with a group of His closest friends to share a meal together and honor the Passover - a traditional holiday in Jewish culture and religion. The Passover meal outlined in Matthew though was honestly a little weird! Things were off and critical elements like the day, time, and most importantly...the sacrificial lamb were missing. Jesus’ friends would have been puzzled. As He spoke though, His words began to make more sense. We now know that the lamb was missing from the meal because Jesus is the Lamb, the sacrificial Lamb of God. The bread they ate represented His body & the wine they drank represented His blood that would shed in a tremendous act of love.
In 1 Corinthians 11: 24, the author references the Last Supper and says, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.”
As I think about the sacrificial love that my parents showed, it softens my heart to the sacrifice that Jesus talks about during the Last Supper. It’s one that is full of grace, love, and redemption. I’m thankful for His love and for such a tangible way to remember Him and the sacrifice that He was about to make.
How have you seen God’s sacrificial love come to light in your life? Leave a comment below so we can glorify Him together. 💕