Month: April 2015

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

John 3:16

The Last Supper

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to His disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is My body.” Then He took a cup, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.

Matthew 26:26-29

 

As Jesus partook of the Passover meal with His disciples, He tried to impart to them the significance of the sacrifice that He was about to make for the whole of mankind.

 

He taught them humility through the washing of His disciples’ feet, setting an example for all future believers that they might also be willing to lay aside their pride to perform the most menial acts of service for one another.

 

Jesus also taught that His body, symbolised by the bread, was broken for all of us and shared by all, signifying our unity and love for each other that is made possible through His sacrifice.

 

And finally, the precious blood of Jesus that was poured out for all mankind, giving us forgiveness for our sins, freedom from Satan’s bondages and His righteousness, so that we can stand pure before our Father in heaven.
Therefore, as we approach this coming Easter, let us give thanks to the Lord with a grateful heart, knowing that He has set us free from the power of sin and death, but also that our freedom came at a great cost to the Father, the cost of His Son, Jesus.

 

Dear Lord,

Thank You for dying for me on the cross, taking all my pain and setting me free. Help me to live worthy of the freedom that You’ve given me and to have the same love that You have for others. Amen.

 

God bless you,

Theo and Manju

Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went to the chief priests in order to betray Him to them.

Mark 14:10

Betrayal
But Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”
Luke 22:48
Betrayal can often occur amongst the closest of friends; Jesus, Himself, was betrayed by one of His twelve disciples. This is because the people that are closest to us will know us better than others and the evil one will always seek an opportunity to divide friendships and cause disharmony amongst the brethren.

We must always be aware that our wrestle is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers, and rulers of the darkness of this world. Judas tried to mask his act of betrayal with a kiss but Jesus already knew that the devil had put it into Judas’ heart to betray Him.

In our lives today, there may be those who are seen to be giving lip service to the Lord but their hearts are far from Him. It is easy for some to hide in the company of believers, just as Judas was included amongst the twelve disciples and therefore, there is a great need for us to ask the Holy Spirit for His wisdom and discernment so that we are not misled or overcome by discouragement and disappointment when betrayal comes.

Jesus, who experienced betrayal Himself, is our role model. He was totally focused on obeying His Father in heaven; the sting of betrayal by one of His disciples did not deter Him from fulfilling God’s purpose for His life on earth.

Dear Lord,

Thank You for Your forgiveness; help us to forgive those who have betrayed and falsely accused us, knowing that You first forgave us. Amen.

God bless you,
Theo & Manju