Luke 22 - 7.29.22
Scripture
Luke 22:17
After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you.
Observation – What does it say?
At the last supper, Jesus instituted the sacrament of communion that the church still observes today. Before breaking the bread, he took the cup of wine and gave it to his disciples, instructing them to divide it among each other. This is amazing! Something I’ve never seen before.
Understanding – What does it mean?
Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins
The wine given to the disciples represented Jesus’ blood poured out on the cross for their forgiveness. But what I find interesting is that rather than pouring the wine into little separate cups and then personally giving it to each disciple, he gives them the whole cup and asks them to give it to each other.
The forgiveness of sins God provided through the blood of Christ is meant (1) to be received personally and (2) to be given to each other. This act at the last supper was a symbolic picture of what Jesus commands us to do.
Ephesians 4:32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Matthew 6:9,12 “This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven… forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
Jesus’ blood was poured out making a way for God to forgive us, but it is also the means for us to forgive each other! When I forgive, I’m not just imitating God, I’m applying the same blood that covered my sins to the sins of my offender. It’s like someone owes me $50. Jesus then puts $50 in my pocket and says, “Now you can forgive their debt.”
Jesus made payment for my sins against God AND others sins against me! That means when I refuse to forgive someone who wronged/hurt/violated/offended me, I am in essence saying that Jesus’ sacrifice wasn’t sufficient to pay for that sin.
Matthew 6:14-15 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
In other words, when Jesus offers the cup of his blood, the offer is to receive AND share it or not receive it at all.
Life Application
Receive Jesus’ blood and forgiveness AND distribute it to those around me.
John 1:29 “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
Jesus, you took away the sin of the entire world! Your sacrifice dealt with every offence, and now it’s my responsibility to not only rejoice in the forgiveness of my sins but to bring rejoicing to others by extending that same forgiveness to them. Amen.
-Levi Thompson