Today's Scripture
Institution of the Lord’s supper – Mark 14:22-25
TODAY’S READING SCHEDULE: Isaiah 59-61; Mark 14:1-26 CEB)
12 On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb is sacrificed, his disciples said to him, “Where do you want us to go and make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?” 13 So he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you; follow him, 14 and wherever he enters, say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks, Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 15 He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.” 16 So the disciples set out and went to the city, and found everything as he had told them; and they prepared the Passover meal.
17 When it was evening, he came with the twelve. 18 And when they had taken their places and were eating, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.” 19 They began to be distressed and to say to him one after another, “Surely, not I?” 20 He said to them, “It is one of the twelve, one who is dipping bread[e] into the bowl[f] with me. 21 For the Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that one not to have been born.”
The Institution of the Lord’s Supper
22 While they were eating, he took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” 23 Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, and all of them drank from it. 24 He said to them, “This is my blood of the[g] covenant, which is poured out for many. 25 Truly I tell you, I will never again drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”
What does this passage mean to me/us
Even though I heard and recited this story for time and time again, the paradox of Jesus being betrayed and him willing to offer himself strikes my heart today.
What would have been going through Jesus’ heart while he was preparing this meal?
He knew he had to offer himself for the sake of these people, despite knowing that these very people will betray him.
Have you imagined being in that situation, where you had to offer yourself to others, in love, even though you knew they will take advantage of your offer?
That is the love Jesus offers to us, and that is the love he wants us to imitate.
Prayer
Lord, your love is what brings us closer to your presence. However, we don’t know if we can truly follow your ways. Give us the strength to imitate your love, as much as we can today. In Christ name, we pray, AMEN.
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