Monday’s Devotion: Given or Broken?

John 19:36 (NIV) These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken,”

I served Holy Communion in both services Sunday morning.  I usually serve the bread and the person assisting offers the cup.  I love placing the bread in a person’s hand and looking them in the eye call them by name and say, “This is the body of Christ, given for you.”  One of my pastors was very adamant about using the term “given” instead of “broken.”  He pointed out that scripture is very plain that Jesus legs were not broken and that this was to fulfill prophesy.  When God laid out the procedures for Passover to Aaron and Moses, God declared that the legs of the sacrificial lambs were not to be broken (Exodus 12:46).  John the Baptist called Jesus, “the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.”  I like the term given because Jesus gave himself for us of his own free will.  The miracles he performed let us know if Jesus had chosen to escape he could have done so.  To play the devil’s advocate I would argue with that pastor that if something in Jesus’ body hadn’t broken he wouldn’t have died. What do you think, “given, or “broken”?  Have you ever given it any thought?  Which would / do you use?
The next time you partake of or serve Holy Communion you might consider what that term means to you.

Holy God, You loved us so much you give us your only begotten Son who was obedient to you even to die on the cross for our sins.  He gave himself for us, may we live our lives for you.  Bless us as we start a new week with the strength and guidance to get through each day.  We ask in your Son’s holy name. Amen.