Many of the rituals, sacrifices, and feasts in Leviticus re-narrate the work and stories of the LORD from the past. These communal rituals and feasts of the Israelites not only told the stories of the LORD’s faithfulness to His people, but these rituals actually delivered God’s faithfulness to His people in tangible ways. The Passover, for example, united the Israelites in walking through and remembering the LORD’s past faithfulness and also strengthened them to live and hope in His faithfulness to come. The rituals, sacrifices, and feasts of Leviticus for the most part are not arbitrary, but are set in the work and promises of the LORD.

Today, the Church continues to practice rituals. Every time we gather to feast upon the Lord’s Supper, we receive forgiveness and the assurance of the LORD’s faithfulness to His people. As we remember the Bread of Life we also recall the bread that the LORD provided to the Israelites in the desert. Jesus tells us in John’s Gospel that He is the Bread. We feast together in a tangible way, with all of Heaven, with all the saints before us, as well as the saints with us (around the world). We delight in the truth that we are released from the bondage of sin that was upon us. We also recall the lambs who were slain in Egypt, as their blood was placed over the door frames to protect all who trusted in the LORD, that they were signposts to the blood of the Lamb, Jesus the Christ, whose blood would protect all who trust upon Him. In the Lord’s Supper, we receive, are reminded of, and are strengthened now to live in the new life that God has given to us through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. We believe that Christ comes to us in this meal not just symbolically, but with His real presence: in, with, and under the bread and wine.

The next time you partake in the Lord’s Supper, picture the great feast that is happening all around you. Not only are you feasting with those next to you, but you are united in feasting with all of heaven, with all the saints who have died trusting in Jesus, and with people from every tongue, tribe and nation who follow Jesus today!