“Therefore, this is what the Sovereign LORD says: Look! I am placing a foundation stone in Jerusalem, a firm and tested stone. It is a precious cornerstone that is safe to build on. Whoever believes need never be shaken.” Isaiah 28:16
So yesterday we talked about the heavenly banquet and how Jesus is quite possibly the banquet since He refers to Himself as the bread from heaven. So today I want to talk more about this delicious banquet that serves bread.
Are you familiar with the law of first mention in the Bible? Basically it’s the idea that the first time the Holy Spirit mentions something in the Bible it’s a clue to its significance and meaning throughout the entire Bible. A quick Biblegateway.com search for “bread” pulls up Genesis 14:18,
“And Melchizedek, the king of Salem and a priest of God Most High, brought Abram some bread and wine.”
I about fell off my chair when I read that! Oh! Maybe I should share with you why! Check out John 6:51-55, only a few short verses from where we left off yesterday!
“I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever; and this bread, which I offer so the world may live, is my flesh.” Then the people began arguing with each other about what He meant. “How can this man give us His flesh to eat?” they asked.
So Jesus again said, “I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you cannot have eternal life within you. But anyone who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise that person at the last day. For My flesh is true food, and My blood is true drink.”
Did you catch that? The flesh of Jesus is true food and His blood is true drink. Now, if that grosses you out (and I can’t blame you there), then stick with me for Luke 22:14-20!
“When the time came, Jesus and the apostles sat down together at the table. Jesus said, “I have been very eager to eat this Passover meal with you before My suffering begins. For I tell you now that I won’t eat this meal again until its meaning is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God.”
He’s pointing to that “Delicious Banquet” mentioned in Isaiah that started our whole journey!
“Then He took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. Then He said, “Take this and share it among yourselves. For I will not drink wine again until the Kingdom of God has come.”
Another nod to our upcoming nuptial banquet in heaven!!!
“He took some BREAD [real, actual, physical bread] and gave thanks to God for it. Then He broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “This is My body, which is given for you. Do this to remember Me.”
After supper, He took another cup of wine and said, “This cup is the new covenant between God and His people – an agreement confirmed with My blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you.”
Huh! Pretty cool right! He used both bread and wine to symbolize the breaking of His body and soul on the cross and the shedding of His blood for the forgiveness of our sins. These are the exact same two elements that Melchizedek presented to Abraham in that verse in Genesis that was the first mention of bread in the entire Bible.
You see, Jesus is the bread from heaven because His body was broken on the cross for us – for the forgiveness of many. That one act of ultimate obedience and faith paid the price for each and every one of us to attend that priceless Heavenly Banquet. And when we build our lives on the firm foundation of the cornerstone of the cross of Christ then we who believe will never be shaken because that cornerstone has been tested and found firm. It has overcome this world and because of that one Truth we can take heart and know that we too can overcome it as well.
Stand firm dear one; you are amazingly loved by the King of kings and the Lord of lords. You have been redeemed by the Prince of Peace who is from the order of Melchizedek. Who gave up His body and lifeblood for YOU so that you could be free from the sin that so easily entangles and hinders us in this rat race of life. Throw it all off, and run to the Cornerstone – the firm foundation upon which to build your life so that you can say:
“Our city is strong! We are surrounded by the walls of God’s salvation. Open the gates to all who are righteous; allow the faithful to enter. You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You! Trust in the LORD always, for the LORD GOD is the eternal Rock.” – Isaiah 26:1-4
He is faithful and good my friend.
He will NEVER forsake you.
Tamar Knochel 