How often I need reminding . . .

 

READ Luke 21-24

The Lord’s Supper, also called Communion, was instituted just before Jesus died. “And he took bread, and when he had 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 likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, ‘This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.’ “ (Luke 22:19–20)

Whenever we do this as a local congregation in our church, it is solemn, a time for reflection of what Jesus did on the Cross, our own unworthiness. We confess known sins and are thankful for our redemption. Yet at that first communion, the disciples quickly revealed why redemption was necessary. Right after this solemn occasion when Jesus also told them He would be betrayed and killed by one of them, they were discussing who that might be. That soon led to this:

A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. And he said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. (Luke 22:24–26)

I tried to imagine this scenario in our church and became dismayed to think of us arguing over who was the greatest Christian in the congregation. If that happened, what would I think? Or do?

Then Jesus told Peter that He was praying for him because his determination to be faithful would become three denials on that very day. Peter was dismayed, probably a similar feeling as mine toward fighting after communion, but Jesus was not wrong; Peter did deny Him three times.

We might defend Peter and say this happened before the Cross, before the Holy Spirit filled him and that is part of the story, yet it also reveals the need for redemption. The human heart can be sincere in wanting to love and obey God, but without the power of the Holy Spirit, sin can and will defeat good intentions. We need Jesus.

In a conversation yesterday about the convoys of truckers who are protesting government actions, my conclusion was this: no one can knowingly obey the will of God without the Spirit of God in their life, without the faith in Jesus Christ and the redemption that comes from repentance and yielding to Him. We who are Christians cannot demand that non-Christians do God’s will apart from having Him in their lives. We could not do it so it is unfair and even foolish to be disappointed when others cannot.

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. (Romans 8:5–8)

Trying to persuade unbelieving leaders to do justly is something like Moses trying to persuade Pharaoh to let God’s people go. Releasing them from bondage was not profitable for that Egyptian leader. No matter the pressure put on him to do so, his heart was hard. In the end, God hardened it because He had a better plan. When His people left, they were ready to leave, but even then they were soon lamenting that their lot in life and insisting things would have been better had they stayed.

Such describes the human heart. Obeying God is hard. It meets with resistance, not only from those who do not want to obey God, but from our own sinfulness. Sin makes us quick to want to be the greatest, have it all, live according to those old desires even though we know that sinful living does not please God and instead leads to death.

For me, these days often find me battle weary. Fighting sin and praying for others to win that battle can be physically, mentally, and spiritually exhausting. In today’s reading, I felt the sorrow and passion of Jesus as He sweat blood for us, for me. Lord Jesus, how badly we Your people need revival. Hear our prayers and grant us what we need to stop falling back into the life You saved us from. Enable us to be bold and joyful in the life You died to give us.