Daily Meditations for Holy Week:

Day 5 Abundant Life
Thursday
 

Luke 22
The Passover meal wherein Jesus institutes communion

When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.” After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.”

 John 13
Jesus washes the disciples' feet

Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end. And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray Him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.

Jesus goes with His friends to Gethsemene

Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” He withdrew about a stone's throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.”

 
The mystery of the Lord’s table is an ever fresh provision. Through His body and blood offered up for us we have entered into blood covenant with God Almighty.
 
Jesus said, “As often as you eat it, do it in remembrance of Me.” As we come to eat and drink of him we enter in to the experience of being partakers of all He is. We recognize the mystery of his grace which is Christ in us the hope of glory. We honor one another as ourselves, realizing that we are members of one another. We see Him girded with the towel of serving though He is the greatest king. As we follow in His steps we humble ourselves that God may also raise us up with Christ. In him the way up is down.
 
The cup of blessing we bless is also the cup of suffering for His sake. We commit ourselves afresh to the perfect will of the Father knowing that in His time He will exalt us. We pray, “Come Breath of God breathe on us! Holy Spirit quicken our hearts that we might arise from slumber in this hour of your outpouring. As the earth enters her travail looking for your appearing, make us vigilant as those who walk in friendship with God. As the hour grows late may we be found awakened unto You and Your purposes. Our Father in heaven, Your will be done in the earth!” Amen.
 

Our fifth meditation is from Psalm 40:

    For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.
 
    1 I waited patiently for the LORD;
    he turned to me and heard my cry.
 
    2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
    out of the mud and mire;
    he set my feet on a rock
    and gave me a firm place to stand.
 
    3 He put a new song in my mouth,
    a hymn of praise to our God.
    Many will see and fear
    and put their trust in the LORD.
 
    4 Blessed is the man
    who makes the LORD his trust,
    who does not look to the proud,
    to those who turn aside to false gods.
 
    5 Many, O LORD my God,
    are the wonders you have done.
    The things you planned for us
    no one can recount to you;
    were I to speak and tell of them,
    they would be too many to declare.
 
    6 Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,
    but my ears you have pierced;
    burnt offerings and sin offerings
    you did not require.
 
    7 Then I said, "Here I am, I have come—
    it is written about me in the scroll.
 
    8 I desire to do your will, O my God;
    your law is within my heart."
 
    9 I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly;
    I do not seal my lips,
    as you know, O LORD.
 
    10 I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;
    I speak of your faithfulness and salvation.
    I do not conceal your love and your truth
    from the great assembly.
 
    11 Do not withhold your mercy from me, O LORD;
    may your love and your truth always protect me.
 
    12 For troubles without number surround me;
    my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see.
    They are more than the hairs of my head,
    and my heart fails within me.
 
    13 Be pleased, O LORD, to save me;
    O LORD, come quickly to help me.
 
    14 May all who seek to take my life
    be put to shame and confusion;
    may all who desire my ruin
    be turned back in disgrace.
 
    15 May those who say to me, "Aha! Aha!"
    be appalled at their own shame.
 
    16 But may all who seek you
    rejoice and be glad in you;
    may those who love your salvation always say,
    "The LORD be exalted!"
 
    17 Yet I am poor and needy;
    may the Lord think of me.
    You are my help and my deliverer;
    O my God, do not delay.

From our family to yours, may the blessings of Easter surround you this season. HE IS RISEN!

 

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Mahesh and Bonnie Chavda, 4/13/2017