The last supper

Luke 22:7-38

13 They left and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover.14 When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. 15 And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.”
17 After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. 18 For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”19 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.”

Last night I attended my Shoulder to Shoulder training at my church in preparation for getting involved in this ministry. When it ended I walked in and watched my wife sing with her choir in preparation for the upcoming services in this holiest of weeks in the Christian church. I only stayed for a short while before deciding that I wanted to be surprised when the actual service happens.

It seems there isn't a day that goes by without another tragedy hitting the news media. When it does it is as though we get the wind knocked out, especially when the latest tragedy brings up memories of our own unresolved grief and loss issues. In the last month we have read about the still missing Malaysian airliner and now the missing children from the overturn Korean ferry. As each tragedy happens it seems that a little part of us dies with it. 

There is hope. Jesus Christ became our model for how to handle suffering. At the last supper as he broke the bread he said, "This is my body given to you: do this in remembrance of me." He knew about his upcoming suffering, but more importantly he knew how it would end. The world may have thought 'good riddance' when Jesus took his last breath on the cross, but when the stone had been rolled away with no body inside we were reminded that His resurrection was only the beginning of great things to come. Jesus left us, but He gave us a helper in the form of the Holy Spirit. A living and vibrant Spirit that reigns inside believers to bring the bible alive to each of us.

I hope each of you find a time to attend a church near you to give thanks to God for sending His son into the world to give you the hope that the world is unable to give to you. If you are not sure if you are a believer you can know for sure with this simple prayer:

Dear Jesus, I know that I am a sinner. I have made a mess out of my life.

I know I have no hope in this world. I thank you Jesus for coming into this

world and showing me the way of Salvation. I open the door to my heart

and invite you to come in and remain in me.

I thank you Lord Jesus for your free gift of salvation just as it says in 1 John 5:10-13