How about that? It's already Tuesday and I am looking forward to a busy day. The old mug was just filled with Door County Red Velvet Mocha Coffee and now it is time to write.
We are another day closer to Easter and I want to look at something else that happened on the way to the cross. Jesus and the Apostles celebrated the Passover meal together. At a time when Jesus knew what he was facing within hours He had dinner with His followers. He knew that His betrayer (Judas} was at the table with Him. While at dinner, a petty disagreement on who should be the greatest among them broke out between the apostles. Jesus like a loving Father had to settle an argument between the kids while the weight of the world was on His shoulders.
Jesus began to show great restraint and patience that would carry Him through bogus trials and accusations. This restraint, combined with compassion would be shown later as He pleaded for the forgiveness of those who were killing Him.
Jesus Institutes the Lord’s Supper Luke 22:14-30
14 When the hour had come, He sat down, and the twelve[a] apostles with Him. 15 Then He said to them, “With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; 16 for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.”17 Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves; 18 for I say to you,[b] I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”
19 And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”
20 Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you. 21 But behold, the hand of My betrayer is with Me on the table. 22 And truly the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!”
23 Then they began to question among themselves, which of them it was who would do this thing.
The Disciples Argue About Greatness
24 Now there was also a dispute among them, as to which of them should be considered the greatest. 25 And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called ‘benefactors.’ 26 But not so among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves. 27 For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the One who serves.28 “But you are those who have continued with Me in My trials. 29 And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one upon Me, 30 that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”
As I read these passages I know how I would have reacted to those around me who were more concerned about their status among each other than the fact that I was headed to the cross for them. My patience and restraint levels would have knocked the teeth right out of Judas. Yet Jesus began to show just how strong He was and gave us a great example of being calm while under stress.
Today, when you are ready to snap at someone with a derogatory comment because they said or did something that rubbed you wrong, remember Jesus came to serve and He served unto death. He put all others, before His own feelings. Share this with someone who needs an Easter nudge.
Marty
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