The Jesus Story: The Table of Grace

A 5-Day Devotional on the Lord’s Supper

Day 1 – The Shadow and the Substance

Summary

For over 1,400 years Israel celebrated Passover, remembering God’s deliverance from Egypt. Yet the feast itself was never the final answer. It was a shadow pointing forward to the true Passover Lamb—Jesus Christ.

Read

Luke 22:1–8
Exodus 12:13–14
Colossians 2:16–17

Background

The Passover began in Exodus when God delivered Israel from slavery in Egypt. A spotless lamb was sacrificed and its blood placed on the doorposts of homes so that judgment would “pass over” them. God commanded Israel to remember this event every year.

But the Passover meal was not just a memorial—it was prophetic. Every lamb sacrificed pointed forward to a greater sacrifice still to come.

When Jesus gathered with His disciples for the Passover meal, the shadow finally met its substance. The Lamb of God sat at the table.

Key Words

Passover – The feast remembering God’s deliverance of Israel from Egypt through the blood of a lamb.

Shadow – Old Testament practices that foreshadowed a greater reality.

Substance – The fulfillment of those shadows found in Jesus Christ.

Theological Truths

1. The Old Testament points forward to Christ.
   The sacrifices, feasts, and laws were designed to prepare God’s people for the coming Messiah.

2. Jesus is the true Passover Lamb.
   Just as the lamb’s blood spared Israel from judgment, Christ’s blood saves believers from the penalty of sin.

3. God’s plan of redemption was intentional and unified.
   From Exodus to the cross, Scripture tells one story of salvation.

John Calvin wrote:
“The sacrifices of the law were only shadows, but Christ is the truth and substance.”

Questions for Reflection

1. How does understanding the Passover deepen your appreciation for Jesus’ sacrifice?(MULTILINE)

2. What does it mean to you that the entire Bible ultimately points to Christ?(MULTILINE)

3. In what ways can studying Scripture strengthen your relationship with God?(MULTILINE)

4. Who in your life needs to hear that Jesus is the true Savior?(MULTILINE)

5. How could you intentionally share the hope of Christ with someone this week?(MULTILINE)

Application

Spend time reading a passage from the Old Testament today and ask God to help you see how it points to Christ.

Day 2 – The Lamb of God

Summary

When John the Baptist saw Jesus, he declared, “Behold, the Lamb of God.” At the Last Supper, Jesus reveals that He is the fulfillment of every Passover sacrifice.

Read

Luke 22:14–18
John 1:29
1 Peter 1:18–19

Background

As Jesus sat at the Passover table, His disciples likely expected the familiar story of Israel’s deliverance from Egypt. Instead, Jesus began to reinterpret the meal.

The lamb, the bread, and the cup all pointed to Him. The Lamb of God was about to offer Himself as the final sacrifice for sin.

Key Words

Lamb of God – A title for Jesus highlighting His sacrificial role in taking away the sins of the world.

Atonement – The work of Christ that reconciles sinners to God through His sacrifice.

Redemption – Being rescued from sin and bondage through Christ’s blood.

Theological Truths

1. Jesus is the spotless sacrifice for sin.

2. Christ’s death fulfills the entire sacrificial system.

3. Salvation is secured through the blood of Jesus alone.

Charles Spurgeon wrote:
“Christ was the true Lamb, the only sacrifice able to put away sin.”

Questions for Reflection

1. Why was it necessary for Jesus to be the perfect sacrificial Lamb?(MULTILINE)

2. How does Christ’s sacrifice change the way you view your sin and forgiveness?(MULTILINE)

3. How often do you pause to thank Jesus for His sacrifice?(MULTILINE)

4. Who around you needs to understand that forgiveness is only found in Christ?(MULTILINE)

5. How might remembering Christ’s sacrifice strengthen your faith during difficult seasons?(MULTILINE)

Application

Write a short prayer thanking Jesus specifically for shedding His blood for your salvation.

Day 3 – The New Covenant

Summary

At the Last Supper, Jesus announced the establishment of a new covenant. Instead of a relationship with God based on human performance, the New Covenant is based entirely on Christ’s perfection.

Read

Luke 22:19–20
Jeremiah 31:31–34
Romans 10:4

Background

Throughout the Old Testament, God established covenants with His people. The Old Covenant included the law, sacrifices, and temple worship. These elements revealed God’s holiness but also exposed humanity’s inability to obey perfectly.

Jesus came not to abolish the law but to fulfill it. Through His death and resurrection, He established a New Covenant that transforms the human heart.

Key Words

Covenant – A binding promise or agreement established by God.

Grace – God’s undeserved favor toward sinners.

Justification – God declaring a sinner righteous through faith in Christ.

Theological Truths

1. The Old Covenant exposes sin but cannot remove it.

2. The New Covenant provides forgiveness through Christ’s sacrifice.

3. Salvation rests on Christ’s righteousness, not our performance.

R.C. Sproul wrote:
“The gospel is not about what we achieve for God but what Christ has achieved for us.”

Questions for Reflection

1. How does the New Covenant change the way we relate to God?(MULTILINE)

2. Do you ever find yourself trying to earn God’s approval instead of resting in Christ?(MULTILINE)

3. How can remembering the gospel deepen your daily walk with God?(MULTILINE)

4. How might understanding grace shape the way you treat others?(MULTILINE)

5. Who could you encourage this week with the message that salvation comes through Christ alone?(MULTILINE)

Application

When you pray today, thank God that your relationship with Him rests on Christ’s perfection rather than your performance.

Day 4 – Remembering the Cross

Summary

The Lord’s Supper is not merely a tradition. It is a powerful reminder that salvation comes only through Jesus’ sacrifice.

Read

1 Corinthians 11:23–26
Isaiah 53:4–6

Background

The early church regularly gathered to share the Lord’s Supper. Paul explains that this practice proclaims Christ’s death until He returns.

At the table, believers remember the cross, confess their sins, and renew their dependence on Jesus.

Key Words

Communion – A practice where believers remember Christ’s sacrifice through bread and the cup.

Proclamation – Publicly declaring the truth of the gospel.

Repentance – Turning away from sin and returning to God.

Theological Truths

1. The Lord’s Supper keeps the cross at the center of our faith.

2. Communion confronts our pride and self-reliance.

3. Believers proclaim the gospel every time they partake.

John Stott wrote:
“The essence of sin is man substituting himself for God, while the essence of salvation is God substituting Himself for man.”

Questions for Reflection

1. Why is it important for believers to regularly remember the cross?(MULTILINE)

2. How does communion help expose pride or self-reliance in your heart?(MULTILINE)

3. How can reflecting on Christ’s sacrifice deepen your prayer life?(MULTILINE)

4. In what ways can your daily life proclaim the gospel to others?(MULTILINE)

5. Who might God be prompting you to share the message of the cross with?(MULTILINE)

Application

Take a few minutes today to reflect on the cross. Confess any sin the Holy Spirit brings to mind and thank Jesus for His forgiveness.

Day 5 – Jesus Is Our Answer

Summary

The Lord’s Supper reminds us of a powerful truth: we cannot save ourselves. Jesus alone is our Savior, our righteousness, and our hope.

Read

Luke 22:19–20
Galatians 2:20
Hebrews 10:12–14

Background

Human nature constantly drifts toward self-reliance. We believe that if we try harder, do better, or improve ourselves, we can earn God’s approval.

The table reminds us that salvation does not come through effort but through Christ’s finished work.

Key Words

Faith – Trusting in Jesus and His finished work for salvation.

Grace – God giving what we could never earn.

Sanctification – The ongoing process of becoming more like Christ.

Theological Truths

1. Christ’s sacrifice is sufficient for salvation.

2. Believers live by faith in the finished work of Jesus.

3. The gospel calls us to trust Christ daily, not just once.

Martin Luther wrote:
“To preach the gospel to yourself is the most important thing you can do.”

Questions for Reflection

1. In what ways are you tempted to rely on your own efforts instead of Christ?(MULTILINE)

2. How does remembering Jesus’ sacrifice help you fight pride?(MULTILINE)

3. What practices help you keep the gospel central in your daily life?(MULTILINE)

4. Who in your life needs to hear that Jesus is the answer to their sin and brokenness?(MULTILINE)

5. How can you intentionally proclaim the gospel through your words and actions this week?(MULTILINE)

Application

Today, verbally remind yourself of the gospel:
“Jesus, I cannot save myself—but You have already done everything necessary for my salvation.”