Great News! You’re in Remission!
Key Verse to Read and Treasure
Then he took a cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them and said, “Drink from it, all of you. For this is my blood of the covenant which is poured out for many unto remission of sins (Matthew 26:28, ASV)
For Insight
This is better than good or great news, this is news that should cause us to break out in a holy dance! Medically speaking, the term remission means “a diminution of the seriousness or intensity of disease or pain; a temporary recovery.” Such as what someone might experience with cancer or an autoimmune disease like Lupus or Sickle Cell. Financially it means “the cancellation of a debt, or penalty.” Such as what one might experience when their student loan is forgiven. To be in remission means a decrease in or disappearance of signs and symptoms. The act or process of; a state or period during which something is remitted.”
I wonder if the Apostles grasped what Jesus was telling them when He spoke these words over the cup of wine he held in his hands the night before he was crucified. I wonder if we get it. It’s so easy to come to the Lord’s Table out of habit, receive the elements of grape juice or wine, bread, cracker, or wafer and drink and eat without much thought about what takes place in our being and over our future as we eat.
Each time we eat and drink this holy meal, we are reminded that our sins are in remission. Meaning we are still sinful, we still transgress, but our sins will not be the death of us. They are a part of us, but through the blood of Christ and having faith in His saving work on the cross, they have been diminished in their capacity to kill us eternally. We are no longer under a death sentence because we are sinners but have the promise of eternal life despite our condition of sin.
If you’ve ever had cancer or journeyed with a loved one who has. And, after enduring surgeries and or treatments and heard those longed for, much anticipated words “you’re in remission.” Then you know exactly what it’s like to be set free. You know that is the very best news you could hear in your life. Those three words set you free to make plans, to live life, to look forward, not with dread but with hope and joy.
At the Table where the Lord Jesus meets us, we hear those words we should covet and long for; “Take and eat, take and drink… Do this for the forgiveness of sins…” There is no better news than hearing and knowing Christ has declared you “in remission.” You are set free to live, not sentenced to die.
Praying Matthew 26:27-28
Lord Jesus, no greater gift will we receive during our life than we receive at the only meal that has the power to turn our life around and no greater news will we hear than the words that our sins are forgiven, and we are in remission. Amen
Challenge
Think of your own sin condition and how much Jesus’ words mean for you, personally.
Digging Deeper
Devotionally Yours 