October 30
Read Luke 21 - 22
In Today's Reading:
The widow's offering; signs of the end; Jesus' last Passover; the Lord's Supper; prayer in the garden; Jesus' arrest; Peter's denial
The Israelites' annual Passover meal was a reminder that the blood of an innocent lamb and obedience to the Word of God had made it possible for their ancestors to be redeemed from death, set free from Pharaoh and Egyptian slavery, and to enjoy freedom in the promised land.
On the evening of the Passover, Jesus took bread, and gave thanks, and broke it, and gave to them (His 12 disciples), saying, This is My body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of Me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the New Testament in My blood, which is shed for you (Luke 22:19-20). At this Passover, our Lord identified Himself with the sacrificial Passover Lamb.
The Lord's Supper is a reminder that Jesus' death on the cross made it possible for us to be delivered from Satan and set free from the condemnation for our sins to receive eternal life. This ordinance is so sacred that the Holy Spirit emphasized its importance through the Apostle Paul, who wrote: The Lord Jesus the same night in which He was betrayed took bread: And when He had given thanks, He broke it, and said, Take, eat: this is My body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of Me (I Corinthians 11:23-25). It is of the utmost importance that we consider carefully that our Lord said: This do in remembrance of Me. He did not make a suggestion but a command. Jesus reminds all His followers: Why call Me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? (Luke 6:46). And again He said: If a man love Me, he will keep My words (John 14:23).
The Lord wanted us to know that His death on the cross made the difference for us between spending eternity in the lake of fire (Revelation 20:14-15) or in heaven with Him (John 3:16; 14:2-3). The Lord's Supper is a continuing reminder that there is forgiveness for all who, by faith, accept Jesus' atoning sacrifice as the only means of receiving eternal life. It is also a time to consider if we harbor sinful attitudes such as ill will toward others, revenge, and lust, need to be confessed and forsaken. The Lord's table is a reminder that whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that (the) bread, and drink of that (the) cup (I Corinthians 11:27-28).
Word Studies:
21:4 penury = poverty; 21:13 shall turn to you for a testimony = will turn out to be an opportunity to tell the Good News; 21:15 to gainsay = to speak against; 21:34 surfeiting = overindulgence; 22:39 wont = in the habit of.
Cross References:
For Luke 21:27: See Dan 7:13. Luke 22:37: See Isa. 53:12. Luke 22:69: See Psa. 110:1
Prayer Needs:
Pray for BP Staff: Diana Hash · Government Officials: Gov. Felix Camacho (Guam), Rep. John Doolittle (CA), Rep. Peter Hoekstra (MI), Rep. Frank Pallone (NJ), and Rep. Tim Roemer (IN) · Country: Yemen (17 million) in southwestern Arabia · Major language: Arabic · Attempts to convert Muslims to Christ are fiercely opposed · 98% Muslim; .03% Christian (all secret believers) · Prayer Suggestion: Humble yourself, pray, and seek the will of God as you read His Word (II Chronicles 7:14).
Memory Verse for the Week: I Corinthians 6:9