April 14-18

The Lord’s Supper
“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.’” – Mark 14:22 (ESV)

In ancient Jewish culture, the Passover meal wasn’t just a tradition—it was a story in the form of a meal. Every item had deep significance: the lamb, the bitter herbs, the unleavened bread. When Jesus took the bread and the cup that night, He gave this familiar meal a brand-new meaning. He was saying: “This is no longer just about Egypt—it’s about Me. I am the true Lamb.”

At the Passover table, Jesus broke tradition by declaring the bread to be His body and the cup to be His blood. These weren’t metaphors for suffering—they were revelations of salvation. Just as God had delivered Israel from slavery through the blood of the lamb, He would now deliver the world through the blood of His Son.

This old meal was now a gospel message. The bread pointed to His broken body; the cup to His blood poured out for many (v. 24). Every time we take communion, we’re not just remembering a sacrifice—we’re celebrating a Savior.

Reflection Questions
1. How does taking the Lord’s Supper help you personally remember Jesus’ sacrifice?

2. What can you do to make communion more meaningful in your spiritual walk?

Suggested Prayer
Jesus, thank You for becoming the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world. May I never take Your sacrifice lightly. Help me to live in daily remembrance and gratitude. Amen.

An Old Meal with a New Meaning

“And he said to them, ‘This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.’” – Mark 14:24 (ESV)

A church once accidentally ordered communion cups filled with grape juice concentrate instead of the regular kind. That Sunday, when the congregation took communion, their faces puckered like they had eaten a lemon! One kid whispered, “Jesus sure died sour!” It was a funny moment, but it reminded the church that communion isn’t about taste—it’s about truth.

Jesus called the cup “the blood of the covenant.” That phrase would have immediately taken the disciples’ minds back to Exodus 24:8, when Moses sprinkled blood on the people, sealing their covenant with God. Now Jesus was saying, “This is a new covenant—one that doesn’t rely on animals or rituals, but on Me.” His blood didn’t just cover sins temporarily; it removed them permanently (Hebrews 9:12). Communion isn’t a religious snack—it’s a sacred declaration that we are forgiven, free, and family.

Reflection Questions
1. What does the new covenant mean for your relationship with God?

2. How can you approach the Lord’s Table with greater reverence and joy?

Suggested Prayer
Father, thank You for sending Jesus to establish a new covenant through His blood. Help me walk in the freedom and forgiveness You offer. May I always honor Your sacrifice. Amen.

A New Promise for an Old Problem

“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.”” – Mark 14:27 (ESV)

During the Revolutionary War, a group of soldiers were hiding in the woods during a thunderstorm when lightning struck a nearby tree. Startled, they scattered in all directions. One of them later said, “We were more afraid of heaven’s artillery than the British!” That scene reflects how Jesus’ disciples reacted under pressure. They didn’t just get scared—they scattered.

Jesus wasn’t surprised by the disciples’ failure. He quoted Zechariah 13:7, showing that even their abandonment was part of the prophecy. Their problem—fear and failure—wasn’t new. But Jesus also gave a promise: “After I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee” (v. 28). He knew they would fall, and He still planned to restore them. The cross wasn’t just about punishment—it was about promise. Jesus always meets us again, even after we run.

Reflection Questions
1. How do you respond when you feel like you’ve failed Jesus?

2. What does His promise to meet the disciples in Galilee teach you about grace?

Suggested Prayer
Lord, thank You for loving me even when I fall. Help me trust in Your promise to restore and lead me again. Strengthen me to follow You faithfully. Amen.

An Old Pride Problem

“Peter said to him, ‘Even though they all fall away, I will not.’” – Mark 14:29 (ESV)

In 2009, a man attempted to rob a bank in Austria using a toy gun and a paper
bag over his head. The problem? He forgot to cut out eye holes. He tripped over
a chair, dropped the fake gun, and was arrested within 30 seconds. He was
confident—but clearly not ready. Peter had similar overconfidence. “Even if all fall
away, I will not!” Yet just hours later, he denied Jesus three times.

Peter’s self-assurance blinded him to his weakness. Jesus lovingly warned him
that before the rooster crowed twice, Peter would deny Him three times. Peter’s
failure wasn’t about lack of love—it was about lack of strength. But this was part
of the gospel story: not just human weakness, but divine restoration. Luke 22:32
tells us Jesus prayed for Peter’s faith not to fail. Even in Peter’s worst moment,
Jesus was already working on his comeback.

Reflection Questions
1. Where do you rely too much on your own strength instead of God’s?
2. How has Jesus restored you after failure?

Suggested Prayer
Jesus, I need You more than I know. Protect me from pride and help me walk in
humility. Strengthen me in my weakness, and remind me that You are always
ready to restore. Amen.

A New Future Promise

“But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” – Mark 14:28 (ESV)

In 1980, a man named Terry Fox began running across Canada with one leg and a prosthetic. After cancer took part of his leg, he still believed in the power of perseverance. Though he didn’t finish the journey, his determination inspired millions, and the Terry Fox Foundation has raised over $850 million for cancer research. Jesus, too, made a promise in the face of death—not just to rise again, but to go ahead and meet His disciples.

Jesus’ words in Mark 14:28 are full of grace: “After I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” He didn’t shame His disciples for their future failures. Instead, He promised a reunion. Galilee wasn’t just a location—it was a symbol of restoration, ministry, and new beginnings. His resurrection meant their story wasn’t over. And ours isn’t either. Jesus goes ahead of us, calling us forward after failure, ready to restore, rebuild, and recommission.

Reflection Questions
1. Where do you need to believe Jesus has gone before you?

2. How can you respond to His invitation to start again?

Suggested Prayer
Risen Lord, thank You that You go before me—into every fear, failure, and future. Help me follow You to Galilee, wherever that new beginning may be. Amen.