March 25 ~ Luke 24:46-48
He told them: "The Scriptures say that the Messiah must suffer, then three days later he will rise from death. They also say that all people of every nation must be told in my name to turn to God, in order to be forgiven. So beginning in Jerusalem, you must tell everything that has happened."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Suppose someone knew some really great news that would help you tremendously. Let’s say, for instance, that you were sick, and someone knew exactly how to make you feel better – or even cure you – but he/she kept the information from you. Let’s say you desperately needed a job, and family members and friends knew of several companies that were hiring, but they never bothered to let you know… and you did not have access to this information any other way. Or, let’s say that someone let you walk around all day with a hole in your pants or your skirt tucked into your underwear… and nobody told you about this and saved you from further embarrassment. Thankfully, most of these scenarios are unlikely today, especially given the lightning speed with which “news” travels over phone lines and Internet social networks.
Now consider if the disciples had not shared the knowledge of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection with others. Suppose that there was limited firsthand information about the crucifixion from those who observed it. Maybe the word traveled as far as nearby villages as people ventured away and spread the news. But suppose that nobody ever told about the empty grave… the rolled away stone… the resurrection of Jesus on the third day. What would have happened? Wouldn’t this negate the entire sacrifice and effort of Jesus on our behalf? If we didn’t know about Jesus… and about His sacrifices and the fact that He rose on the third day and is ALIVE… how would we ever come to know Him and believe in Him? How would we ever learn of His promises – and our promise of a home with Him for eternity?
The simple fact is that someone had to tell. Jesus commanded His disciples to tell everything that had happened… but only after He empowered them with His Holy Spirit? Why was this important? Because, as humans, we tend to color things a bit… make them fuzzy around the edges… sugarcoat the rough stuff or operate in fear instead of love. Jesus wanted to make sure that His Holy Spirit led us as we shared His story and message. But He definitely wants it to be shared! And honestly, if we can tell half the world on Facebook that someone just saw Miley Cyrus shopping in a department store, can’t we tell others about Jesus Christ and how He bought and paid for our sins on the cross and now LIVES with our Heavenly Father? Can’t we share the message of how Jesus has changed our life and will do the same for others? Can’t we ask the Holy Spirit to lead us in sharing the Good News with every nation?
God has given us everything we need to accomplish this – Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, technology and communication tools galore. Now all we have to do is get up and get going. We have people to tell… Good News to share! We must tell everything that has happened and encourage everyone to turn to God, in order to be forgiven. Who have you told this news today?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label cup. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cup. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for February 18, 2010
February 18 ~ Matthew 26:26-27
During the meal Jesus took some bread in his hands. He blessed the bread and broke it. Then he gave it to his disciples and said, "Take this and eat it. This is my body."
Jesus picked up a cup of wine and gave thanks to God. He then gave it to his disciples and said, "Take this and drink it.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Just prior to one of our big winter snows of late January/early February, I was shopping for groceries, along with dozens of other people. I met a fellow church member on the bread aisle, and he said, “I’ve got a jar of peanut butter and a loaf of bread… as long as you have that, you can survive just about anything.” For most of us, we figure if we have bread, we can survive a lot of things, including a snow storm!
Jesus characterized Himself often as “the Bread of Life.” He referred to His body as the bread, and His blood as the wine. As long as we have “the body and the blood,” we can survive anything that comes our way. I spent a lot of years participating in Holy Communion and hearing the words, “this is my body,” and “this is my blood.” I would eat the cracker or piece of bread and drink the juice that was offered. And in many ways, this was just a ritual of the church that we performed once a month… and also at Christmas and Easter.
Now I see that the simple act of eating a piece of bread and drinking a cup of juice – in the context of these things representing Jesus’ body and blood, given for me and my sins – is incredibly huge. I finally made the mental (and Spiritual?) connection between Jesus’ sacrifices on the cross – for me – and how they were represented in Holy Communion. It’s not about the Communion service itself… it is about the understanding that Jesus offered us HIS life in exchange for our sinful one. And because of this, He truly IS our Bread of Life. HIS blood was offered as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins – and this is represented by our communion juice or wine.
Now, when I participate in Holy Communion, I think of all of the daily challenges we face and how Jesus helps us meet them. I think of the sacrifices He made for me, and I am humbled at how unworthy I am – and even more so by the knowledge that Jesus doesn’t expect me to “deserve” or earn His sacrifices on my behalf. I am reminded that I can survive anything because I have my “Bread” and the Cup.
Today, thank Jesus for the “bread and the cup” – and for what they represent. Don’t wait for your church to offer the sacraments of Holy Communion again… celebrate what they represent each and every day. Consider that the bread and cup are given to remind us of how much Jesus loves us – and what He did for us on the cross. Express to God your desire to be sustained every day by the Bread of Life – and covered in the blood of Jesus. Thank Him for such a generous, unconditional gift. Celebrate the knowledge that you can survive anything… because you have the Bread that truly matters. Live in a way that honors Christ as you face head-on the challenges of life each day. A loaf of whole wheat and a jar of peanut butter may work in a snowstorm, but for the storms of life, give me the “bread” of Jesus!
©2009 Debbie Robus
During the meal Jesus took some bread in his hands. He blessed the bread and broke it. Then he gave it to his disciples and said, "Take this and eat it. This is my body."
Jesus picked up a cup of wine and gave thanks to God. He then gave it to his disciples and said, "Take this and drink it.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Just prior to one of our big winter snows of late January/early February, I was shopping for groceries, along with dozens of other people. I met a fellow church member on the bread aisle, and he said, “I’ve got a jar of peanut butter and a loaf of bread… as long as you have that, you can survive just about anything.” For most of us, we figure if we have bread, we can survive a lot of things, including a snow storm!
Jesus characterized Himself often as “the Bread of Life.” He referred to His body as the bread, and His blood as the wine. As long as we have “the body and the blood,” we can survive anything that comes our way. I spent a lot of years participating in Holy Communion and hearing the words, “this is my body,” and “this is my blood.” I would eat the cracker or piece of bread and drink the juice that was offered. And in many ways, this was just a ritual of the church that we performed once a month… and also at Christmas and Easter.
Now I see that the simple act of eating a piece of bread and drinking a cup of juice – in the context of these things representing Jesus’ body and blood, given for me and my sins – is incredibly huge. I finally made the mental (and Spiritual?) connection between Jesus’ sacrifices on the cross – for me – and how they were represented in Holy Communion. It’s not about the Communion service itself… it is about the understanding that Jesus offered us HIS life in exchange for our sinful one. And because of this, He truly IS our Bread of Life. HIS blood was offered as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins – and this is represented by our communion juice or wine.
Now, when I participate in Holy Communion, I think of all of the daily challenges we face and how Jesus helps us meet them. I think of the sacrifices He made for me, and I am humbled at how unworthy I am – and even more so by the knowledge that Jesus doesn’t expect me to “deserve” or earn His sacrifices on my behalf. I am reminded that I can survive anything because I have my “Bread” and the Cup.
Today, thank Jesus for the “bread and the cup” – and for what they represent. Don’t wait for your church to offer the sacraments of Holy Communion again… celebrate what they represent each and every day. Consider that the bread and cup are given to remind us of how much Jesus loves us – and what He did for us on the cross. Express to God your desire to be sustained every day by the Bread of Life – and covered in the blood of Jesus. Thank Him for such a generous, unconditional gift. Celebrate the knowledge that you can survive anything… because you have the Bread that truly matters. Live in a way that honors Christ as you face head-on the challenges of life each day. A loaf of whole wheat and a jar of peanut butter may work in a snowstorm, but for the storms of life, give me the “bread” of Jesus!
©2009 Debbie Robus
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)