Lord's Supper

During our Walk to Emmaus, the Lord's Supper took on a much greater meaning.

John 15:13
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

The Lord's Supper (Matthew 26)
17 On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?"
18 He replied, "Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, 'The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.' "
19 So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover.
20 When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve.
21 And while they were eating, he said, "I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me."
22 They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, "Surely not I, Lord?"
23 Jesus replied, "The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me.
24 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."
25 Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, "Surely not I, Rabbi?" Jesus answered, "Yes, it is you."
26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body."
27 Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you.
28 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
29 I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father's kingdom."
30 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Jesus took the Passover meal and revealed its' full meaning.

Jesus' body and His blood. Broken. Shed. For me, and for you.

The Passion

As Christmas approaches, I hear again; "Jesus is the reason for the season", and I'm reminded of His ultimate purpose.

Matthew 26 (NIV)

The Plot Against Jesus
1 When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples,
2 "As you know, the Passover is two days away—and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified."
3 Then the chief priests and the elders of the people assembled in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas,
4 and they plotted to arrest Jesus in some sly way and kill him.
5 "But not during the Feast," they said, "or there may be a riot among the people."

When Jesus had finished saying all these things. Things like;

25:40 "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

Jesus knew the timing of his betrayal and crucifixion. The chief priests did not determine the timing.

We watched The Passion last night. We were suprised how long it had been since we watched it last. Somehow, I was afraid to watch again - like it would be too painful.
This was our third time. The first time, in the theater - I was deeply affected. Afterwards, I couldn't speak. The second time, at home - it was still hard to watch, and to keep from crying. Last night, we prayed before watching. I know that the movie is only an interpretation of the events. Somehow, even though it was hard to watch - I didn't cry. God has let me know that it's ok to accept His grace. I saw again the punishment I deserve, being paid for by Jesus. Tears, no. Not this time. A deep thankfulness, yes. Always.

Jesus knew what was coming. He knew how hard it would be. He told his disciples - it's going to happen!

Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus
14 Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests
15 and asked, "What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?" So they counted out for him thirty silver coins.
16 From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.

Judas watched for an opportunity. Again, the timing was not up to Judas.

Strength and Shield

Psalm 28:7
The LORD is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusts in him, and I am helped.
My heart leaps for joy
and I will give thanks to him in song.

Like Scott Krippayne says; "as long as I can sing, I wanna sing about You!"

Isaiah 58

I had a good friend recommend this passage. I put it in my reading rotation, thinking that after a few times I would be 'done'. I'm not done. I haven't gotten everything out of it yet. Maybe I'm just slow, but it seems that God highlights a new part of it every few times I read it.

I started making notes

I put a few different translations there also.