Day 25 - Thursday, November 5th
LIFE Journal
This Week's Memory Verse
I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With Him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore, my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure. Psalm 16:8-9
Devotional
Like a domino being pushed, a chain reaction followed. One of his very own followers was positioned to be the one to deliver him into the hands of those who wanted his body sprawled out on a cross. Jesus knew and yet, he continued on in the plan that was given to him. In spite of what he knew was going to happen, Jesus gave instructions to prepare the traditional Passover feast for his disciples. Sending them ahead to create the space where they would spend their last moments together before his death, Jesus was ready to prepare their hearts for what was to come.
Once everything had been set, Jesus and his disciples began the last supper they would enjoy together on earth:
While they were reclining at the table eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me—one who is eating with me.” They were saddened, and one by one they said to him, “Surely you don’t mean me?” “It is one of the Twelve,” he replied, “one who dips bread into the bowl with me. The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.” While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying,“Take it; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it. “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them. “Truly I tell you, I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” Mark 14:18-25 NIV
The whole evening probably didn’t make sense at the time to his followers. Jesus tells them that one amongst them will betray him. In another account of that night in the book of John, he pours water into a basin and stoops down low, like a slave, and begins to wash the muck and grime off their feet. He gives them an example of what all that will transpire is about: he came in humility to serve. And then he ends the night drawing their attention to an illustration of what exactly he came to do: to be broken and poured out for them.
We often stop to reflect in our churches about this last meal Jesus and his followers experienced. Every so often we too break a loaf of bread and drink wine or juice as a way to remember what Christ did on our behalf. We talk about how he served in such a way that his position didn’t deserve. But, how regularly do we bring this to mind in our daily lives exactly what Jesus did for us?
The last supper and our occasional taking of bread and juice into our bodies was never meant to be a sporadic act, it was meant to be a routine posture. We can live each day in that upper room, watching Christ get down low on our behalf, rip apart the bread and pour out the wine and follow his lead. We can live every moment in remembrance of the new covenant promise that brought about our once and for all salvation.
Think On This Verse:
...Serve one another humbly in love. Galatians 5:13 NIV
Ask and Answer:
How can I live each and every day in the upper room, reflecting on what Christ has done on my behalf? What are some ways I can bring these things to mind in the middle of my busy life? How can I humbly wash the “feet” of another like Jesus did the night before he died?
Once everything had been set, Jesus and his disciples began the last supper they would enjoy together on earth:
While they were reclining at the table eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me—one who is eating with me.” They were saddened, and one by one they said to him, “Surely you don’t mean me?” “It is one of the Twelve,” he replied, “one who dips bread into the bowl with me. The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.” While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying,“Take it; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it. “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them. “Truly I tell you, I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” Mark 14:18-25 NIV
The whole evening probably didn’t make sense at the time to his followers. Jesus tells them that one amongst them will betray him. In another account of that night in the book of John, he pours water into a basin and stoops down low, like a slave, and begins to wash the muck and grime off their feet. He gives them an example of what all that will transpire is about: he came in humility to serve. And then he ends the night drawing their attention to an illustration of what exactly he came to do: to be broken and poured out for them.
We often stop to reflect in our churches about this last meal Jesus and his followers experienced. Every so often we too break a loaf of bread and drink wine or juice as a way to remember what Christ did on our behalf. We talk about how he served in such a way that his position didn’t deserve. But, how regularly do we bring this to mind in our daily lives exactly what Jesus did for us?
The last supper and our occasional taking of bread and juice into our bodies was never meant to be a sporadic act, it was meant to be a routine posture. We can live each day in that upper room, watching Christ get down low on our behalf, rip apart the bread and pour out the wine and follow his lead. We can live every moment in remembrance of the new covenant promise that brought about our once and for all salvation.
Think On This Verse:
...Serve one another humbly in love. Galatians 5:13 NIV
Ask and Answer:
How can I live each and every day in the upper room, reflecting on what Christ has done on my behalf? What are some ways I can bring these things to mind in the middle of my busy life? How can I humbly wash the “feet” of another like Jesus did the night before he died?
Prayer
Lord, help me to daily reflect on what you came to do and how you did it. You were brought low in humility, taking on the role of a servant. Your body was broken and your life poured out for me. Teach me to remember that not just in those moments in church in which we partake in the Lord’s Supper, but let me remember it right now in the daily-ness of my life. Show me how I too can stoop low and serve others around me. Amen.