05.02.24 - Luke 22
SCRIPTURE: Luke 22:14-18 NIV
When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. And HE said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.”
After taking the cup, HE gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”
OBSERVATION
Jesus knew that is time of suffering was upon HIM. This would be the last meal HE would share with HIS disciples. It is the Passover Meal—a significant time of remembering.
God had delivered the Jewish people out of Pharaoh’s bondage of slavery in Egypt through signs and wonders. Before they left their life in Egypt there was one final plague. God instructed His people to prepare one last meal of a sacrificial lamb and sprinkle the blood on their lintel and doorposts as a special sign. That night God passed THROUGH Egypt and struck down every First born male son and first born male animal in the land of Egypt.
But every lintel and doorpost marked with lamb’s blood served as a sign to PASS OVER that house so that no harm would come to them. (Exodus 12)
In a traditional Passover meal there are four cups of wine with the 4th Cup concluding the meal. Jesus made a vow to abstain from wine Before the 4th Cup—reserving it—for the time of Fulfillment when ALL Believers will be together in God’s Kingdom at the Banquet.
“People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God.”
(Luke 13:29 NIV)
APPLICATION
HIS STORY
Jesus WAS
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.” (John 1:1-4 NIV)
Jesus IS
“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6 NIV)
Jesus is ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:11-12 NIV)
Jesus is TO COME
“Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.13I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” (Revelation 22:12-13 NIV)
‘Holy, holy, holy
is the Lord God Almighty,’
who was, and is, and is to come.” (Revelation 4:8b NIV)
PRAYER
LORD Jesus,
YOU are the ONE who WAS and IS and is TO COME. Thank You that Your blood cleanses me and made me new. It is Finished are the three most amazing recorded words I know. Help me Lord to not be distracted with the cares of this world. Help me to be ready and watching eagerly. Give me Your eyes and Your heart for the lost and point me towards Your field. I pray when You come-- You will find me being about my Father’s business. In Jesus Name. amen.
Tina L Kudelka
Exodus 19 - 5.1.24
Scripture
"You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself." Exodus 19:4
Observation
The Lord has brought the children of Israel out of slavery in Egypt, with a mighty hand. He has split the red sea, rained manna from heaven for them to eat, and brought water from the rock. Now the Israelites have reached Mount Sinai, and the Lord is about to give Moses the Ten Commandments. The Lord says to Moses, tell the children of Israel that I carried you on eagle’s wings. The imagery here is of an eagle carrying its little eaglets on its strong wings, safely to its destination. Now, think of the journey from the vantage point of an Israelite. Before each of these miracles, there was a point of utter anxiety and pain. They came out of Egypt joyfully, and reached the red sea. While relaxing on the beach, they saw the armies of Egypt behind them. They were caught between the sea and the enemy, and they thought that death was certain. But the Lord delivered them by opening up the sea, and let their enemies perish in the sea. During their journey, they ran out of food that they brought from Egypt. They thought that they would starve in the wilderness! Again, the Lord took care of them by providing manna from heaven everyday. On another occasion, they ran out of water, and they thought they would die from thirst. God provided water from the rock. At Mount Sinai, the Lord looks back at their journey and says, “see I carried you on eagles’ wings”. The Lord was carrying the children of Israel on His wings all the time. He never intended for them to perish in the wilderness. He had already planned for their provision and protection. He was always holding them. There was no need for them to panic and get anxious and fear for their lives. Their God was with them, holding them.
Application
Remember that the Lord has promised to carry us, even till our old age (Isaiah 46:4). He is our refuge, and underneath are His everlasting arms (Deut 33:27). Our life on earth is not meant to be a bed of roses. Jesus said that in this world, we will have trouble (John 16:33). When you face those unexpected forks in the road, and the crises in life, remember that your Father is holding you. You are not alone. Every day of your life is written in His book even before you were born (Psalms 139:16). He who called you is faithful (1 Thess 5:24). Even though we might walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we have no need to fear, because He is with us (Psalms 23:4). Look back at your life, and remember how he has carried you on eagles’ wings and praise him because you are still on His eagles’ wings. He who began a good work in you is faithful to complete it (Phil 1:6).
Prayer
Father, I thank you because you have carried me on eagles’ wings. When I look back at my life, I see your miraculous hand of deliverance and help. You were always with me. Thank you because you have a plan for my life, and I can trust you. Thank you because you are with me always. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil 4:13). When I face difficult situations, help me to remember that I am your child, and that you are holding me. Thank you because I can trust you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
- Asha Chacko George
Psalm 130 - 4.30.24
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 130:5,6 “I wait for Yahweh; I wait and put my hope in His Word. I wait for the Lord more than watchman for the morning - more than watchman for the morning.”
OBSERVATION: The psalmist cried out from the depths of despair for God to listen to his voice, and to be attentive to the cry of his heart. He was awaiting redemption. "Yahweh, if You considered sins, Lord, who could stand? But with You there is forgiveness, so that You may be revered." ("This psalm projects up ahead in God's unfolding redemption. Though the author certainly did not understand fully what his words were pointing to, the forgiveness he wrote about was accomplished in the coming of the Messiah"). (Gene Getz).
APPLICATION: Like the psalmist, when I have experienced grief or sorrow, depression or guilt over sin, it can pull me down if I don't look up to God. It can make me feel distant from Him, but EVERY time I have called out to the Lord, He has met me in my time of need with His mercy, grace, forgiveness, and redemption.
PRAYER: Thank You Lord that prayer has been the key that's kept us close.
"I called on Your name Lord, from the depths of the pit, You heard my plea... You came near when I called out to You, and You said, "Do not fear." (Lamentations 3:55,57).
Those times I've waited for You, even when it wasn't easy, it has always been worth it because I know You are in control, and have always been faithful to use every situation to teach me what is best. And as I continue to wait and learn, and to trust You through each and every trial that is up ahead, I know that I don't have to fear because You are with me. "I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in His Word I put my hope".
Like a watchman waits all through the night knowing that the morning will eventually come, I wait for You Lord.
While I'm waiting, and because of the love and forgiveness You have shown me, I pray I will be like the psalmist by spreading the word to others that they too can experience forgiveness because of Your unfailing love and the full redemption from all their sins, which is available to all who sincerely ask. Amen
- Robin Orefice