Scripture:
And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. And he said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.”
And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. And Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away, for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’ But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.”
Observation:
Jesus knows what is about to happen. He knows his body is about to be broken, his blood spilled. He also knows that the very men who have been right at his side don’t know what is really going on. Not only that, they will all leave him. Some deny him. Some will run. Some will betray him.
Jesus doesn’t go to the cross because we are worth it. He doesn’t get broken because we are good. He doesn’t pour his blood out for those who get it. He dies for the least of these.
Application:
Our application is simple: rejoice. If there is hope for the disciples, there is hope for you. These men walked with Jesus. Touched him. Smelt him. Talked with him. Ate the Passover with him. He even told them about what was going to happen but they were too dumb to get it, they couldn’t see it.
And after all of this they denied even knowing him. They couldn’t pray with him. They couldn’t be there for him. They left him. And Jesus sees it coming. He tells them it will happen but also says, “Don’t worry. You are going to scatter but I will meet you in Galilee. I will forgive you. We will be reconciled.”
We feel like we have done too much. But we haven’t. The broken body & blood poured out is done for the worst, the least, the dirties, for you & me. Rejoice. He is enough for you. He has made you right. He became nothing, so you would be worthy before the Holy of Holies. He didn’t die because you were worth it. He died to make you worth it.
Prayer:
Thank you. I pray that would be seared into our hearts at Good Life, that we would be a people who rejoice always in our weakness & your strength.