Take, eat, drink. Do this in remembrance of Me.

Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you.  Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day.  For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.  Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him.  Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me.”  John 6:53-57

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and giving it to his disciples said, “Take and eat; this is my body.”  Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you,  for this is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins.” Matthew 26:26-28

While they were eating, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, and said, “Take it; this is my body.”  Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, and they all drank from it.  He said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed for many.”  Mark 12:22-24

Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and said, “Take this and share it among yourselves;  for I tell you that from this time on I shall not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”  Then he took the bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of me.”  And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which will be shed for you.” Luke 22:17-20

For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus, on the night he was handed over, took bread,  and, after he had given thanks, broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”  In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”  For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes. 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

We need reminders of God’s goodness and provision and sacrifice.  In the same way the Old Testament festivals provided a visible reminder, the Lord’s Supper can do so for us.  It is also an opportunity for us to proclaim it to others.  Let us not fail to do so.

Love each other.

“I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.  This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35

“This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.  No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”  John 15:12-13

“This I command you: love one another.”  John 15:7

Wow.  This is pretty clear.  This is the distinguishing mark of a follower of Jesus.  We love each other.

How much?  The same way Jesus loved us.  Enough to die for one another.

Follow and serve Me.

Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life.  Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be.  The Father will honor whoever serves me.  John 12:25-26

This is the eternally true version of the saying, “You can’t have your cake, and eat it too.”  We can live for eternity or for this life, not both.  We can serve God or material wealth, not both.  We live for God or for ourselves, not both.  Jesus modeled this.  It turned out great for Him in eternity but not so well in this life.  Follow His example.  It turns out well in the end.

Be alert for My return.

 “Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise like a trap. For that day will assault everyone who lives on the face of the earth.  Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man.” Luke 21:34-36

“Therefore, keep watch, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”  Matthew 25:13

Stay ready.  Pray for strength.  Be focused.  Guard against distraction.  Pay attention.  These are instructions from Jesus.  This life is preparation for the next.  Don’t forget it.

When you see signs of my return, do not be terrified, but take heart.

“When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for such things must happen first, but it will not immediately be the end.”  Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.  There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues from place to place; and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky.”  Luke 21:9-11

“There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on earth nations will be in dismay, perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves.  People will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.  And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.  But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.” Luke 21:25-31

You will hear of wars and reports of wars; see that you are not alarmed, for these things must happen, but it will not yet be the end.  Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be famines and earthquakes from place to place.  All these are the beginning of the labor pains.  Then they will hand you over to persecution, and they will kill you. You will be hated by all nations because of my name.  And then many will be led into sin; they will betray and hate one another.  Many false prophets will arise and deceive many  and because of the increase of evildoing, the love of many will grow cold.  But the one who perseveres to the end will be saved. Matthew 24:6-13

When you hear of wars and reports of wars do not be alarmed; such things must happen, but it will not yet be the end.  Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes from place to place and there will be famines. These are the beginnings of the labor pains.  Mark 13:7-8

There is a saying, “It is darkest just before the dawn.”  Jesus was saying something like that in these passages.  There will be tragedies and hard times before Jesus’ triumphant return.  We are not to grieve or fear these hardships as those who have no hope.  We are to look beyond them to our promised reward and fellowship with our loving Lord for all eternity.  Our hope gives us strength.  We are not to respond out of fear but out of faith and so remain faithful to the end.

Watch out that no false Christ deceives you.  

He answered, “See that you not be deceived, for many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and ‘The time has come.’ Do not follow them!”  Luke 21:8-9

Jesus said to them in reply, “See that no one deceives you.  For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and they will deceive many.”  Matthew 24:4-5

 Jesus began to say to them, “See that no one deceives you.  Many will come in my name saying, ‘I am he,’ and they will deceive many.”  Mark 13:5-6

I suppose it is natural for people to believe what they wish to be true.  It is natural for us to desire Jesus’ return.  Jesus warns His followers, however, not to be misled.  When He returns, it will be very clear.  Let us wait patiently for His return and not be led astray by our impatient desires.

Beware of the scribes and do not imitate them.

In the course of his teaching he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to go around in long robes and accept greetings in the marketplaces, seats of honor in synagogues, and places of honor at banquets.  They devour the houses of widows and, as a pretext, recite lengthy prayers. They will receive a very severe condemnation.” Mark 12:38-40

Then, within the hearing of all the people, he said to his disciples,  “Be on guard against the scribes, who like to go around in long robes and love greetings in marketplaces, seats of honor in synagogues, and places of honor at banquets.  They devour the houses of widows and, as a pretext, recite lengthy prayers. They will receive a very severe condemnation.”  Luke 20:45-47

Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses.  Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice.  They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them.  All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.  They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues,  greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation ‘Rabbi.’   As for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi.’ You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers.   Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven.  Do not be called ‘Master’; you have but one master, the Messiah.  The greatest among you must be your servant.  Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.  Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You lock the kingdom of heaven before human beings. You do not enter yourselves, nor do you allow entrance to those trying to enter.  Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You traverse sea and land to make one convert, and when that happens you make him a child of hell twice as much as yourselves.  Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘If one swears by the temple, it means nothing, but if one swears by the gold of the temple, one is obligated.’  Blind fools, which is greater, the gold, or the temple that made the gold sacred?  And you say, ‘If one swears by the altar, it means nothing, but if one swears by the gift on the altar, one is obligated.’  You blind ones, which is greater, the gift, or the altar that makes the gift sacred?  One who swears by the altar swears by it and all that is upon it;  one who swears by the temple swears by it and by him who dwells in it;  one who swears by heaven swears by the throne of God and by him who is seated on it.  Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You pay tithes of mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier things of the law: judgment and mercy and fidelity. But these you should have done, without neglecting the others.  Blind guides, who strain out the gnat and swallow the camel!  Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You cleanse the outside of cup and dish, but inside they are full of plunder and self-indulgence.  Blind Pharisee, cleanse first the inside of the cup, so that the outside also may be clean.  Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You are like whitewashed tombs, which appear beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of filth.  Even so, on the outside you appear righteous, but inside you are filled with hypocrisy and evildoing.  Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the memorials of the righteous,  and you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would not have joined them in shedding the prophets’ blood.’ Thus you bear witness against yourselves that you are the children of those who murdered the prophets;  now fill up what your ancestors measured out!  You serpents, you brood of vipers, how can you flee from the judgment of hell?   Therefore, behold, I send to you prophets and wise men and scribes; some of them you will kill and crucify, some of them you will scourge in your synagogues and pursue from town to town,  so that there may come upon you all the righteous blood shed upon earth, from the righteous blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, the son of Barachiah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar.  Truly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation.  Matthew 23:1-36

Evidently, Jesus was not too fond of people who act religiously for the sake of appearance.  He was pretty clear about the fact that those doing religious activities in order to enhance their reputation were not pleasing Him.  Our reputation is not the point.  His is.  Our Christian celebrity culture is a dangerous thing.  His Name is to be honored, not the name of His servants.

Humility is the hallmark of the King and His Kingdom and His true servants.  Run from anything that seeks to draw you into the limelight.  If people are going to follow you, make sure they are following you on the path to service and sacrifice rather than fame and glory.

Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.

They came and said to him, “Teacher, we know that you are a truthful man and that you are not concerned with anyone’s opinion. You do not regard a person’s status but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not? Should we pay or should we not pay?”  Knowing their hypocrisy he said to them, “Why are you testing me? Bring me a denarius to look at.”  They brought one to him and he said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?” They replied to him, “Caesar’s.”  So Jesus said to them, “Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” They were utterly amazed at him. Mark 12:14-17

They posed this question to him, “Teacher, we know that what you say and teach is correct, and you show no partiality, but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.  Is it lawful for us to pay tribute to Caesar or not?”  Recognizing their craftiness he said to them,  “Show me a denarius; whose image and name does it bear?”  They replied, “Caesar’s.”  So he said to them, “Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” Luke 20:21-25

They sent their disciples to him, with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are a truthful man and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.  And you are not concerned with anyone’s opinion, for you do not regard a person’s status.  Tell us, then, what is your opinion: Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?”  Knowing their malice, Jesus said, “Why are you testing me, you hypocrites?  Show me the coin that pays the census tax.” Then they handed him the Roman coin.  He said to them, “Whose image is this and whose inscription?”  They replied, “Caesar’s.” At that he said to them, “Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.”  Matthew 22:16-21

Be a good citizen of the earthly country in which you reside.  More than that, however, be a good citizen of the Kingdom of God.  All authority and honor belong to God.  All kingdoms of the earth are under His rule.  All creation is His, including our own selves.  Our lives, our relationships, our possessions, are all His to do with whatever He pleases.  We have the option to disregard this now, but if we do so, we will pay the price for eternity, suffering His wrath and punishment as His enemies.  Far better, to recognize and honor His reign now and have the benefits of reigning with Him for all eternity.

Have faith in God.

In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots.  Peter remembered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!”  “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered.  “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them.  Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”  Mark 11:20-24

If we are living and walking in the Holy Spirit, we can know that our words and actions and ways are in His will.  He is able to bring about anything.  We are not serving ourselves, but Him.  We are not seeking our desires, but His.  Let us not be shy about asking for anything we need to do so.  His glory is a worthy cause.  It is worth God’s attention and resources.  He can and will provide.  Have the faith to ask.

Serve others.

But Jesus summoned them and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and the great ones make their authority over them felt.  But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant;  whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave.  Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:25-28

Jesus summoned them and said to them, “You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones make their authority over them felt.  But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant;  whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all.  For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:42-45

He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them and those in authority over them are addressed as ‘Benefactors’;  but among you it shall not be so. Rather, let the greatest among you be as the youngest, and the leader as the servant.  For who is greater: the one seated at table or the one who serves? Is it not the one seated at table?  I am among you as the one who serves. Luke 22:25-27

So when he had washed their feet and put his garments back on and reclined at table again, he said to them, “Do you realize what I have done for you?  You call me ‘teacher’ and ‘master,’ and rightly so, for indeed I am.  If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet.  I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.  Truly, truly, I say to you, no slave is greater than his master nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him.  If you understand this, blessed are you if you do it.  John 13:12-17

God’s Kingdom is upside-down from the world.  What king sacrifices himself for his subjects?  What great man serves those under his authority?  In a world that says, “Do as I say, not as I do.”  We are told in Philippians 2:5-11, “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.  And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!  Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Jesus tells us that this life is a race to the bottom.  The goal is to serve, not to be served.  The goal is to sacrifice for others benefit rather than for our own.  The goal is not to make a name for ourselves but to serve without recognition.  The reward is eternal while the pain is temporary.  The reward is far greater than the sacrifice.  Be like Jesus.