Monday
And when the hour came, he reclined at table, and the apostles with him. And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. - Luke 22:14-15 ESV
The Importance of the Lord’s Supper
John Wesley traveled 250,000 miles on horseback, averaging twenty miles a day for 40 years; preached 4,000 sermons; produced 400 books; knew ten languages. At eighty-three he was annoyed that he could not write more than fifteen hours a day without hurting his eyes and at eighty-six he was ashamed he could not preach more than twice a day. He complained
in his diary that there was an increasing desire to lie in bed until 5:30 in the morning. (Source unknown).
John Wesley’s deep desire was for people to hear the Gospel. Jesus’ deepest desire was for people to understand and accept the gospel. The literal rendering of Luke 22:15 is "With desire, I did desire to eat this Passover with you." Here "with desire I desire" emphasizes the divine imperative that Jesus eat this last Passover and to do so with His disciples.
But also to fulfill the symbols of the Passover with His sacrificial death. MacArthur comments "In a few hours He would go from eating a sacrificial lamb to dying as the one true Lamb of God.” This was one of the most important moments in the redemptive history of the world.
Reflection
William MacDonald writes, “Jesus' revealing words ("with desire I desire") invite all believers of every time and place to consider how passionately Jesus longs for communion with us at His table." How does it make you feel knowing Jesus longs for communion with you?
Praise/Prayer
Praise Jesus for becoming a sacrificial lamb for your sins. Ask God to help you have an even greater sense of the importance of the Lord’s Supper.
The Importance of the Lord’s Supper
John Wesley traveled 250,000 miles on horseback, averaging twenty miles a day for 40 years; preached 4,000 sermons; produced 400 books; knew ten languages. At eighty-three he was annoyed that he could not write more than fifteen hours a day without hurting his eyes and at eighty-six he was ashamed he could not preach more than twice a day. He complained
in his diary that there was an increasing desire to lie in bed until 5:30 in the morning. (Source unknown).
John Wesley’s deep desire was for people to hear the Gospel. Jesus’ deepest desire was for people to understand and accept the gospel. The literal rendering of Luke 22:15 is "With desire, I did desire to eat this Passover with you." Here "with desire I desire" emphasizes the divine imperative that Jesus eat this last Passover and to do so with His disciples.
But also to fulfill the symbols of the Passover with His sacrificial death. MacArthur comments "In a few hours He would go from eating a sacrificial lamb to dying as the one true Lamb of God.” This was one of the most important moments in the redemptive history of the world.
Reflection
William MacDonald writes, “Jesus' revealing words ("with desire I desire") invite all believers of every time and place to consider how passionately Jesus longs for communion with us at His table." How does it make you feel knowing Jesus longs for communion with you?
Praise/Prayer
Praise Jesus for becoming a sacrificial lamb for your sins. Ask God to help you have an even greater sense of the importance of the Lord’s Supper.
Tuesday
And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and
gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in
remembrance of me.” - Luke 22:19 ESV
LOOKING BACK - EXPLANATION
In his book, The Tale of the Tardy Oxcart, Charles Swindoll relates the story of an eight-year-old Kenyan girl, Monica, who fell into a pit and broke her leg. Mama Njeri, an older woman, seeing what had happened climbed into the pit to rescue Monica. In the pit a black mamba, the most poisonous snake in Africa, bit both Monica and Mama Njeri. Both ladies were rushed to a medical center. Monica improved, but tragically, Mama Njeri died. A nurse missionary explained to Monica that Mama Njeri was bitten first and thus received all of the mamba's poison. When the snake bit Monica, it had no poison left. The nurse went on to explain that Jesus had similarly taken the poison of our sin so that we could live. Monica understood and readily received Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:55 asks, “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” Jesus absorbed the sting of sin and death when He gave His body on the cross. The bread of Communion represents Jesus' body which would be His gift. It is His body that was given for us or on our
behalf.
Reflection
Much like Memorial Day, when we remember those who gave their lives for our nation, Communion reminds us Jesus gave His life for us. If actions speak louder than words, what does Jesus' death on the cross say to you?
Praise/Prayer
Thank God for not just giving you forgiveness but for giving you Himself.
Ask God for an opportunity to share with someone else what your
relationship with Jesus means to you.
gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in
remembrance of me.” - Luke 22:19 ESV
LOOKING BACK - EXPLANATION
In his book, The Tale of the Tardy Oxcart, Charles Swindoll relates the story of an eight-year-old Kenyan girl, Monica, who fell into a pit and broke her leg. Mama Njeri, an older woman, seeing what had happened climbed into the pit to rescue Monica. In the pit a black mamba, the most poisonous snake in Africa, bit both Monica and Mama Njeri. Both ladies were rushed to a medical center. Monica improved, but tragically, Mama Njeri died. A nurse missionary explained to Monica that Mama Njeri was bitten first and thus received all of the mamba's poison. When the snake bit Monica, it had no poison left. The nurse went on to explain that Jesus had similarly taken the poison of our sin so that we could live. Monica understood and readily received Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:55 asks, “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” Jesus absorbed the sting of sin and death when He gave His body on the cross. The bread of Communion represents Jesus' body which would be His gift. It is His body that was given for us or on our
behalf.
Reflection
Much like Memorial Day, when we remember those who gave their lives for our nation, Communion reminds us Jesus gave His life for us. If actions speak louder than words, what does Jesus' death on the cross say to you?
Praise/Prayer
Thank God for not just giving you forgiveness but for giving you Himself.
Ask God for an opportunity to share with someone else what your
relationship with Jesus means to you.
Wednesday
Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. - 1 Corinthians 11:27-28 ESV
LOOKING WITHIN - EXAMINATION
Amid the increasing number of self-service check-out stations cropping up at grocery stores and other vendors, companies have devised a unique measure to deter potential shoplifters—mirrors. Initially, people assumed it was used to ensure shoppers “look good” before checking out, these reflective devices are actually there to make prospective pilferers feel
guilty. Mirrors are psychologically proven to make people feel guilty. According to a study in the journal “Letters on Behavioral Evolutionary Science,” people who are in a “self-aware” situation such as in front of a mirror are less likely to engage in “antinormative behavior” like stealing or cheating than those who are not. (Ben Cost, New York Post)
The Lord’s Supper is a time to look at ourselves spiritually in the mirror. It’s a time of self-examination. The Apostle Paul warned us to make sure we were in a good place of trust, faith, and obedience to God before we took part in the Lord’s Supper.
Reflection
What did you see when you thought about examining yourself spiritually during the service on Sunday? When we see our sinfulness, God wants it to cause us to run to Him for grace, mercy, and life change.
Praise/Prayer
Thank God for the gift of self-reflection and the way He lovingly draws you back to a good place with Him. Ask God to help you to be honest with yourself about any areas of your life that are not surrendered to Him.
LOOKING WITHIN - EXAMINATION
Amid the increasing number of self-service check-out stations cropping up at grocery stores and other vendors, companies have devised a unique measure to deter potential shoplifters—mirrors. Initially, people assumed it was used to ensure shoppers “look good” before checking out, these reflective devices are actually there to make prospective pilferers feel
guilty. Mirrors are psychologically proven to make people feel guilty. According to a study in the journal “Letters on Behavioral Evolutionary Science,” people who are in a “self-aware” situation such as in front of a mirror are less likely to engage in “antinormative behavior” like stealing or cheating than those who are not. (Ben Cost, New York Post)
The Lord’s Supper is a time to look at ourselves spiritually in the mirror. It’s a time of self-examination. The Apostle Paul warned us to make sure we were in a good place of trust, faith, and obedience to God before we took part in the Lord’s Supper.
Reflection
What did you see when you thought about examining yourself spiritually during the service on Sunday? When we see our sinfulness, God wants it to cause us to run to Him for grace, mercy, and life change.
Praise/Prayer
Thank God for the gift of self-reflection and the way He lovingly draws you back to a good place with Him. Ask God to help you to be honest with yourself about any areas of your life that are not surrendered to Him.
Thursday
The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! - John 1:29 ESV
LOOKING UP - EXALTATION
In 2009, a new billboard in downtown Chicago got everyone's attention, stirring some controversy. In big letters, it asked: "Are you good without God? Millions are." It was put up by an organization called the Chicago Coalition of Reason. According to an article about the billboard in the Chicago Tribune, the Coalition's coordinator said "The billboard aims to
hearten humanists, atheists, and agnostics who might feel isolated or misunderstood in their quest for alternatives to religious worldviews."
(Preaching Today)
John 1:29 is a large billboard in Scripture that says Jesus is the only way anyone can be “good.” John writes, “Behold.” This command is in aorist imperative which means "Look now!," "Don't delay!," "Do not procrastinate!" John described Jesus by the name Lamb, an animal that
was recognized by all Jews as one used in the Temple sacrifices and in the celebration of Passover. It was as if John was saying behold the "Sacrifice."
Reflection
Have you had any conversations recently with someone who believed they could be good without God? Were you able to get them to look at what Jesus did for them on the cross so they could be forgiven?
Praise/Prayer
Take some time to “behold” Jesus today and praise Him for taking away the sins of the world. Ask God to give you an opportunity to help someone else see what Jesus did for them on the cross.
LOOKING UP - EXALTATION
In 2009, a new billboard in downtown Chicago got everyone's attention, stirring some controversy. In big letters, it asked: "Are you good without God? Millions are." It was put up by an organization called the Chicago Coalition of Reason. According to an article about the billboard in the Chicago Tribune, the Coalition's coordinator said "The billboard aims to
hearten humanists, atheists, and agnostics who might feel isolated or misunderstood in their quest for alternatives to religious worldviews."
(Preaching Today)
John 1:29 is a large billboard in Scripture that says Jesus is the only way anyone can be “good.” John writes, “Behold.” This command is in aorist imperative which means "Look now!," "Don't delay!," "Do not procrastinate!" John described Jesus by the name Lamb, an animal that
was recognized by all Jews as one used in the Temple sacrifices and in the celebration of Passover. It was as if John was saying behold the "Sacrifice."
Reflection
Have you had any conversations recently with someone who believed they could be good without God? Were you able to get them to look at what Jesus did for them on the cross so they could be forgiven?
Praise/Prayer
Take some time to “behold” Jesus today and praise Him for taking away the sins of the world. Ask God to give you an opportunity to help someone else see what Jesus did for them on the cross.
Friday
For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. - 1 Corinthians 11:26 ESV
LOOKING AHEAD - EXPECTATION
An interesting cartoon shows a fourth-grade boy standing toe-to-toe and nose-to-nose with his teacher. Behind them stares a blackboard covered with math problems the boy hasn't finished. With rare perception, the boy says, "I'm not an underachiever, you're an overexpecter!" (Today in the Word)
We learned in Pastor Jim’s sermon that the Lord’s Supper should be observed with great expectancy. It’s a moment when we look ahead toward eternity in heaven and enjoy the Marriage Supper of the Lamb with Jesus. It’s a reminder that heaven is in our future because of what Jesus did on the cross. We are commanded to keep taking part in the Lord’s Supper until the return of Christ to take us to our home in heaven.
Reflection
Do you have any favorite meals or holidays that you look forward to annually? When you observe the Lord’s supper, God wants it to remind you that you have a heavenly meal to look forward to in heaven with Him.
Praise/Prayer
Thank God for the hope and expectation that we have because of His promise to return. Ask God to help you have an eternal perspective as you make your daily choices on earth.
LOOKING AHEAD - EXPECTATION
An interesting cartoon shows a fourth-grade boy standing toe-to-toe and nose-to-nose with his teacher. Behind them stares a blackboard covered with math problems the boy hasn't finished. With rare perception, the boy says, "I'm not an underachiever, you're an overexpecter!" (Today in the Word)
We learned in Pastor Jim’s sermon that the Lord’s Supper should be observed with great expectancy. It’s a moment when we look ahead toward eternity in heaven and enjoy the Marriage Supper of the Lamb with Jesus. It’s a reminder that heaven is in our future because of what Jesus did on the cross. We are commanded to keep taking part in the Lord’s Supper until the return of Christ to take us to our home in heaven.
Reflection
Do you have any favorite meals or holidays that you look forward to annually? When you observe the Lord’s supper, God wants it to remind you that you have a heavenly meal to look forward to in heaven with Him.
Praise/Prayer
Thank God for the hope and expectation that we have because of His promise to return. Ask God to help you have an eternal perspective as you make your daily choices on earth.
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