The One Year New Testament

May 4

Mark 14:12-25

Mark 14:12-25

12 And on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the Passover lamb, his disciples said to him, “Where will you have us go and prepare for you to eat the Passover?” 13 And he sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him, 14 and wherever he enters, say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says, Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 15 And he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready; there prepare for us.” 16 And the disciples set out and went to the city and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover.

17 And when it was evening, he came with the twelve. 18 And as they were reclining at table and eating, Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.” 19 They began to be sorrowful and to say to him one after another, “Is it I?” 20 He said to them, “It is one of the twelve, one who is dipping bread into the dish with me. 21 For the Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.”

22 And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” 23 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. 24 And he said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. 25 Truly, I say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”

Reflection

In Israel’s Passover meal, they celebrated the time when God’s people were protected from judgment by the shedding of animal blood. In the Lord’s Supper, we celebrate being “passed over” by God’s judgment because of the blood of Christ (Lev. 17:11; Heb. 9:22). The eating of the bread represents Jesus’ body, which was broken for us. The cup represents the blood of Christ that established a new contract (“covenant”) between God and his people (Mark 14:24).

When followers of Christ celebrate the Lord’s Supper, they uniquely enjoy the presence of God. By eating the bread and drinking of the cup, they reiterate the value of the blood Christ shed on the cross. The gospel is tangibly remembered as they eat and drink, and believers are spiritually nourished. Through the Lord’s Supper, the disciples of Christ can enjoy Christ’s spiritual presence, his forgiveness, and his purifying love. He has given his body and his blood for us.

Galatians 3:7-9

Galatians 3:7-9

Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.” So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.

Reflection

In Galatians 3:6 Paul uses Abraham as an example of someone being counted as righteous through faith. In the Old Testament, believers looked forward to the grace that would come from the promised Messiah; New Testament believers look back to the death and resurrection of Jesus in order to receive God’s grace. In each case, it is faith that includes people in God’s generous promises to Abraham. Faith has always been and always will be the means by which God’s people receive the blessing of his eternal grace (vv. 8–9).

Psalm 107:31-32

Psalm 107:31-32

31 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
for his wondrous works to the children of man!
32 Let them extol him in the congregation of the people,
and praise him in the assembly of the elders.

Thoughts For Prayer

It is important that you regularly gather with a church family for countless reasons —and one of them is so that you can partake of the Lord’s Supper together. If you are not already partnered with a Bible-loving, gospel-teaching church, pray that God would help you find one and plug in. If you’re already there, invest in it and pray for those who need to find one.

Missions Prayer Requests More

  • May 18, 2024

    Supported Workers: Shoreline Church

    Country: United States of America

    Shoreline is grateful for yet another opportunity to offer mini camps for families with young children in the local community this summer. Pray that there will be a gospel impact on the families and volunteers who participate in the Baking Camp, June 11 and 13, as well as the Brick Building Camp, June 18 and 20. Pray that God provides the volunteers needed to help with the annual Ambassadors Soccer Camp they host in July. Thank the Lord for a great school year of outreach for Youth For Christ with the Campus Life Private Schools outreach. The Bible studies at Hathaway Brown, Laurel, Hawken, US, WRA, and other schools are going well. Please pray that God would use the leadership retreat at Kiawah Island in June in a mighty way.

    Bulgaria (Europe). Population 6,618,615 Believers: 1.9%. Bulgaria suffered under Communist rule from 1947 to 1989, and troubles remain. Corruption, crime networks, and poverty affect many lives. Abortion, while less than in the past, is still widespread, and divorce is common. The populace continues to age even as its overall numbers have been steadily declining since 1986. Many young people leave Bulgaria (the poorest EU country) to find work and opportunity in other nations. Pray for the Church to demonstrate God’s love in this country where racial tensions are strong, and hope is rare. From Operation World DVD-ROM 2010 and www.operationworld.org