Posted: August 2nd, 2010 | Author: Ashish Kuriakose | Filed under: Weekly Devotional | Tags: communion, cross, heaven, lord's table | No Comments »
Today’s reading:
1 Corinthians 11: 23-26
“On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and said, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this to remember me.” In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this to remember me as often as you drink it.” For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord’s death until he comes again.” (NLT)
Extended reading: 1 Corinthians 11: 17 – 34
The master was implicated with a crime that did not make much sense. And to be sentenced to death on the cross seemed such a dirty political game.
The armies were ready (Matthew 26: 53). Archangel Michael had got his legion of angels ready for battle. It was not really going to be a battle. There was written record of one angel taking out 185,000 humans (2 Kings 19). Today, the whole earth will just have to be eradicated (maybe, except for the select few who followed him). It happened during Noah’s time (Genesis 7: 23). This time, they rejected their very Maker.
The crowd had reached Golgotha. Some cheering. Some wailing. Some quarelling. Some challenging. Some astonished and some solemn. They stripped Jesus of his robe and drew lots to decide who gets it. They threw Jesus on the piece of wood and were going to drive the nails into his hands. This needn’t be. Michael looked for the signal from the Father. There was none. Maybe He was waiting to make a dramatic entry right after. Kill em all – get the Prince of heaven back safe. Show them who is in control.
Jesus was raised up in between two criminals. Michael looked again for the signal. None.
Jesus asked for a drink. No signal yet.
(What’s keeping Him?)
It was only when Jesus cried out “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that heaven realized that there was not going to be a signal. “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” The Father had forsaken His Son. On the cross. What shame! What pain! Did this have to be?
The human race was going to get another chance. And this time, it cost the most.
But maybe one day when they break the bread and drink the wine, they may understand the love that bore the pain. They may get a glimpse into what should have been theirs but was spared the misery and shame.
What does the cross mean to us? It is more than just a divider of the times. The cross represents who we are or who we should have been. The cross tells us that we don’t need to be punished. The cross tells us we are free. Free to live life to the fullest. Full of what God has in store for us. And only because of what Jesus did on the cross.
Go ahead and partake of the bread and wine that represents what our God did for us.
What do I pray?
Lord, thank You for the cross. Thank you for bearing my sin and my shame. Thank you for setting me free. Help me understand what You did for me. And help me live my life for Your glory. Help me put You first in my life and shine Your light in this world. In Jesus’ name..
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Did you read the Bible today? Click here to read (This plan is a yearly plan where you can read the full Bible in a single year.)
Posted: January 16th, 2010 | Author: Ashish Kuriakose | Filed under: Daily Devotional | Tags: glory, heaven, home, temptation | No Comments »
Today’s verse:
Mathew 4: 9
“And he [Satan] said to Him [Jesus], “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.”” (NKJV)
The context of today’s passage is after Jesus got baptized under John the Baptist (Matthew 3), He is led into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil (Matthew 4). Satan gives Jesus three opportunities – first, turn stones to bread, second, throw Yourself down from the top of the temple and land safely and third, he offered Jesus all the glory of this world if only Jesus would worship him. Satan offered Jesus food, protection and fame.
We are offered the same in this world. In fact, we work hard for all of this. Food for us, our families and sometimes even for the people around us. Protection – we all need it in this world. We know it is not a safe place to be in. And fame. Ah! The moment’s glory! The spot in the limelight. The flashes of cameras and the everyone looking at you.
And I am sure, Jesus saw that too. I imagine Jesus taking a pause on the top of that mountain. The view was breathtaking. He had come here to be king after all. Here was his chance. His opportunity.
So what stopped Him? I believe it was His vision. He saw beyond what He saw from that mountain top. He did not see just the boundaries or the huge resources it held or even the people in it. He knew all that He saw would fall apart one day. What He saw was not going to last. But He knew of a place that would last – a place He called home. A place where He knew there were people waiting. Angels waiting. Loved ones waiting. He realized this is not it.
Jesus’ vision saw beyond time’s boundaries. He saw the generations to come. He saw you and me. And He realized that if He accepted that offer, the generations to follow wouldn’t stand a chance. He had come with a solution – God’ solution and had to make sure the instructions were followed exactly the way it was said in the Directions To Use.
Do you realize that we have lines of visions too? Do we see what is before us or do we look beyond? Are we limited by the things of this world? If you are, remember – when you have a bad day in life, it shall pass and if you have a good day, it too shall pass. Our line of vision is beyond this world. Beyond what we see. And there will come a day when we will go where we belong – home.
Daily Bible Reading: Genesis 39-40 (Old Testament), Matthew 11 (New Testament). (Click here to read)
(This plan is a yearly plan where you can read the full Bible in a single year.)
2 Corinthians 12: 9
“And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (NKJV)Aren’t you glad you don’t know everything? I know I am. It is a relief to know that I do not have the answers to everything I come across. I am glad I don’t have to worry about everything. And I am glad Someone else is in charge. I am happy that He has control and the knowledge to match it.
Paul had a problem. Some say it was a medical issue. Some say it was spiritual. Whatever it was, Paul was disturbed by it and he wished, like a lot of us, it would go away or be taken away from him. But God told him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Paul did not want strength. He wanted healing. He wanted deliverance. He would rather walk free than take each step in pain. He would rather do it himself than having to depend on others.
These are not answers we want to hear. We want our problems resolved instantly. We want instant solutions. Sufficient Grace and Strength In Weakness are not cans we would pick up in the supermarket. We would rather take something that says “Instant Relief” or “Do-It-Your-Way Solution”.
Paul had a problem and God says, “That’s fine. I will give you the strength you need to get through it.” When God says that, you need to realize He is giving Himself to be with you through the situation. He is willing to wait it out with you or take the bus or walk with you.
What is God telling you about your situation? Are you looking for answers? Will you be willing to settle for grace? Willing to be strengthened in your weakness? Maybe you don’t know and that is perfectly fine. Just remember not to fight him. You will be surprised how amazing his grace can be and the only thing you need in your situation.
