This Cup Is Poured

When the hour had come, He reclined at the table, and the apostles with Him. And He said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I say to you, I shall never again eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He said, “Take this and share it among yourselves; for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine from now on until the kingdom of God comes.” And when He had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” And when He had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood.  Luke 22:14-20 NASB

Jesus came to mankind as the One - the only perfect sacrifice for all of humanity. He is the sinless Lamb of God who bore all of our sin upon Him so that in the shedding of His blood we received atonement and redemption once and for all. Salvation. 

It’s beautiful and priceless, the choice made by God to save all of His people. 

Jesus’ sacrifice didn’t just purify us it also restored us. It restored our relationship with God and restored the hope of eternal life for all who believe in Him!   Therefore Repent! The return of Jesus is near. 

The only condition that is placed before us as we receive this free gift is to come before God with a repentant heart. My friends, Without repentance, forgiveness is cheapened. Without contrition, salvation has no value. God is Holy Holy Holy, above all power, the Lord God is unchanging, unwavering, He is majesty, He is deserving of all the Honour, all the praise and and all of the Glory. He is awe inspiring in wonder and incredibly magnificent. No words can suitably describe the might and greatness of God.  

Let’s consciously choose to focus on only Jesus during every situation we encounter. It will become such a habit to fix our eyes on Him and to view the world through the perspective  of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  

Hebrews 12:1-3 NASB Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. 

Oh Lord, No matter where I am or who I’m with, I will choose to honor God with my life. Amen.

There will be multiple times in life where we have no control of the people we’re around or the environments we’re in, but God still calls us to represent Jesus wherever we go.  Ask Holy Spirit for discernment to see with Jesus’ heart, wisdom to respond with His grace. 

Our environments aren't an excuse to  conform to our surroundings, but are an opportunity to stand firm in who God calls His people to be.

Remember that! Those who call on the name of the Lord are covered! Our world is in conflict. Conflict in relationships, between colleagues, neighbours and governments. My friends - We don’t have to worry about the world, let us instead focus on relating in a peacemakng manner to those in our immediate awareness, rooted where planted, eyes open to see those whom God has placed on our roads – our family and friends, neighbours and fellow church goers. People may hurt us, but we can forgive. People are selfish, we can choose to be generous. When people are angry, we can choose to be non-combative. 

Matthew 5:9 NET Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God.

When confronted with anything, doubt, ideas, decisions, choices, fear we must go to Jesus, seeking to hear the truth He speaks authoritatively over our lives, letting Christ’s truth disarm the lies that we have taken into our heart. Then, we need to be brave and walk in faith, to take action, actually demonstrating that we believe God’s truth over the lies of the enemy.

So, when He says, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God. Believe also in me”, He is showing us where to find peace for our weary heart and inviting us into a place of rest under His sovereign authority.