WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 2012
Luke 22:17 "...and He took the cup and gave thanks..."
SCRIPTURE READING: LUKE 22:8-20.
8. And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat.
9. And they said unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare?
10. And he said unto them, Behold when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water, follow him into the house where he entereth in.
11. And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples?
12. And he shall show you a large upper room furnished: there make ready.
13. And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.
14. And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him.
15. And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:
16. For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.
17. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this and divide it among yourselves.
18. For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.
19. And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.
20. Likewise also the cup after supper saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.
REFLECTION: Sure, Jesus knew that His death was imminent. He knew that His death would be malevolent. He knew that His death would be violent.
Only a few hours before the tragedy, Christ gathered with His disciples to eat the Passover. "He took the cup, and gave thanks." (Luke 22:17). Then "he took bread, and gave thanks." (Luke 22:19).
It is not hard to comprehend that the Lord might offer thanks if He saw the cup and the bread as nourishment. We thank the Lord for our food too, at least we ought to!
It is not hard to imagine that the Lord would offer thanks as a part of the Passover ritual. Literally for centuries the Jews always offered thanks at the Passover. These were words that were supposed to be spoken.
But Jesus "gave thanks," telling His disciples:
"I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer,"
"I will not eat any more...until it be fulfilled in the Kingdom of God."
"This is my body which is given for you."
"This cup is the New Testament in my blood."
REFLECTION: Sure, Jesus knew that His death was imminent. He knew that His death would be malevolent. He knew that His death would be violent.
Only a few hours before the tragedy, Christ gathered with His disciples to eat the Passover. "He took the cup, and gave thanks." (Luke 22:17). Then "he took bread, and gave thanks." (Luke 22:19).
It is not hard to comprehend that the Lord might offer thanks if He saw the cup and the bread as nourishment. We thank the Lord for our food too, at least we ought to!
It is not hard to imagine that the Lord would offer thanks as a part of the Passover ritual. Literally for centuries the Jews always offered thanks at the Passover. These were words that were supposed to be spoken.
But Jesus "gave thanks," telling His disciples:
"I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer,"
"I will not eat any more...until it be fulfilled in the Kingdom of God."
"This is my body which is given for you."
"This cup is the New Testament in my blood."
Jesus, the God-man gave thanks on the brink of His greatest trial. They who are God's men are to give thanks in the hour of their greatest trial. I remember reading the Apostle Paul's instructions, "In everything give thanks." (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
To "give thanks" in a moment like that requires an unshakable confidence in God and His good, acceptable, and perfect will. (Romans 12:2). We are not our own. We were created "by Him and for Him." (Colossians 1:16). So we thank the Lord that He has brought us to this hour--even if it is a trying one.
To "give thanks" in a time like that requires an abiding assurance that God is with us, and more importantly, that we are with Him. The Psalmist testified, "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me." (Psalm 23:4). We "give thanks" knowing that the Lord will never leave nor forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5). The Lord is our helper. (Hebrews 13:6). His grace is sufficient. (2 Corinthians 12:9).
To "give thanks" in a time like that requires an abiding assurance that God is with us, and more importantly, that we are with Him. The Psalmist testified, "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me." (Psalm 23:4). We "give thanks" knowing that the Lord will never leave nor forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5). The Lord is our helper. (Hebrews 13:6). His grace is sufficient. (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Finally, to "give thanks" in an hour like that requires a triumphant faith that looks beyond the immediate circumstance to the rewards of righteousness. Charles Wesley was right:
Faith, mighty faith, the promise sees,
And looks to that alone.
We sing, "It will be worth it all when we see Jesus!" And it will be.
So whatever it may be that we are about to face today, we "give thanks," with the Lord Jesus, knowing that God's will is best, that God's grace is sufficient, and that God's promised reward is for sure, forever.
PRAYER: O Lord, My God, When we think of your gratitude in the hour of trial we are amazed and we are convicted. We are truly awed by your unwavering confidence. We are inspired by your willingness to endure. We are thrilled by your promises of eternal reward. But Lord, we confess, we have not always been so thankful. We have complained when we should have complied. We have worried when we should have rested. And we have doubted, when we should have believed. Forgive us. By your grace, may we live today and every other day, "giving thanks" in everything. For it is in the name of our Risen Savior we pray. Amen. "Our Father, &c."
PRAYER: O Lord, My God, When we think of your gratitude in the hour of trial we are amazed and we are convicted. We are truly awed by your unwavering confidence. We are inspired by your willingness to endure. We are thrilled by your promises of eternal reward. But Lord, we confess, we have not always been so thankful. We have complained when we should have complied. We have worried when we should have rested. And we have doubted, when we should have believed. Forgive us. By your grace, may we live today and every other day, "giving thanks" in everything. For it is in the name of our Risen Savior we pray. Amen. "Our Father, &c."
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