In the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, Jesus used the common elements of bread and wine to draw a word picture for his followers.

After first giving his disciples bread, Jesus took a cup of "the fruit of the vine." He gave thanks to his Father and shared the cup with his disciples.

Wine was a common drink in that day. No refrigeration existed back then, and the easiest way for storing and transporting grape juice was to have it fermented first. It's likely that the disciples drank from Jesus' cup without realizing its significance at first. It was such a regular thing—there was nothing unusual about it.

But then Jesus interrupted with some startling words. He intended this drink to be a symbol of his own blood, the "blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many." The Israelites viewed blood as a sustaining power of life. And now Jesus talked about shedding it for his chosen ones. Moreover, he invited his disciples to drink it. What a powerful way to point to his sacrifice!

Are you one of those "many" for whom Jesus shed his precious blood on the cross? You are if you fully trust him to cleanse you from sin with his blood, and your heart overflows with thanksgiving for his salvation.