When we gather with our loved ones over a meal, we tell stories of our past, shared experiences together.  We laugh over circumstances that caused us great concern in the moment, but now is just a memory of a lesson learned.  “Remember that time when…” begins most sentences as we go back over our lives lived among family and friends. 

Jesus’ family of followers, The Twelve, are eating their last meal together, but they don’t fully realize that it is the last—for a little while.  They don’t know that this time together leads to the climax of why Jesus came to earth.  But Jesus knows.  So, Jesus speaks to them in very personal terms with a love that is unfathomable to each one of them—and to us.  There is little time left.  The cross is in view.  But right now, Jesus’ love is expressed to those who left everything behind to follow their Master for three years.

Mark 14, The Message

“This Is My Body”

²² In the course of their meal, having taken and blessed the bread, he broke it and gave it to them. Then he said,

Take, this is my body.

^23-24 Taking the chalice, he gave it to them, thanking God, and they all drank from it. He said,

This is my blood,
God’s new covenant,
Poured out for many people.

²⁵ “I’ll not be drinking wine again until the new day when I drink it in the kingdom of God.”

²⁶ They sang a hymn and then went directly to Mount Olives.

* * *

^27-28 Jesus told them, “You’re all going to feel that your world is falling apart and that it’s my fault. There’s a Scripture that says,

I will strike the shepherd;
The sheep will scatter.

“But after I am raised up, I will go ahead of you, leading the way to Galilee.”

²⁹ Peter blurted out, “Even if everyone else is ashamed of you when things fall to pieces, I won’t be.”

³⁰ Jesus said, “Don’t be so sure. Today, this very night in fact, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.”

³¹ He blustered in protest, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you.” Allthe others said the same thing.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Do we really believe what God says about who He really real—and personal? 

When Truth(Jesus) is slandered, blatantly mocked, and arrogantly beaten down in our world, do we deny, hide, or dig in and uphold our belief in Jesus? Does our behavior match our belief?  Jesus needs no defense.  Truth is truth whether He is believed or not.  But can we tell the Truth, live the Truth, and uphold the Truth in us?

Even Peter denied ever knowing Jesus in the moments of fear as He watched Jesus be beaten beyond recognition.  In the world in which we live, unbelieving people are getting bolder about tearing down our faith in Jesus.  I experienced this last week!  The meanness, harsh words, and unbelief broke my heart.  Then I remember, many are mentally and physically beaten in some parts of the world who believe but refuse to deny Jesus.  In our workplaces, schools, and among our family and friend gatherings the enemy is slinking into every facet of our lives, every conversation, as he masquerades what is socially acceptable deemed as “good” for all, while getting as close to the truth without being truth which fools most people.  When behaviors arise that offend God, (and us), why are we surprised?

Notice what Mark writes about how Jesus promises to go ahead of his followers who believe in Truth.  He also promises to always be with us who believe as we stand firm as the Body of Christ telling others about Him.  Jesus knows what we will need when we need it most.

FACT:  When it seems like the world is falling apart all around us as we watch our once trusted leaders in God’s church fall to the temptations of sin, exposed as living a lie, Jesus is still Truth.  Jesus will always be Truth for He was the same then as He walked the earth, the same today, and will be the same Truth we can rely on forever.  (See Hebrews 13:8)

So, trust Jesus, wholly lean on Jesus’ Name, rely on His wisdom, lay down personal control for His perfect guidance because what He says is True!  Jesus also promised and delivered a Helper for us.  He gave us the power of His Holy Spirit to challenge us in difficult circumstances, to help us discern Truth from lies, and to be our strength when endurance is needed to stand for Truth!

God’s love for us is personal.  God’s top priority is growing a personal, intimate, loving relationship with us.  His love never ends, never gives up on us, consistently pursues us, and is relentlessly focused on us.  Who on earth can love us like He does?  (No one!)  Jesus later tells his followers, “Love each other like I love you.”  Yes, that’s a tall order but it is the perfect standard by which God’s love is measured in us.  Do we love each other the way Jesus loves us?

“This is My Body. This is My Blood”—Jesus   Believe and be saved by the Blood shed for our sins.

We are the Body of Christ. 

Lord,

There are many thoughts here that come to mind, but one conclusion.  No matter what, when all around us seems to fall apart, nothing can separate us from your love.  And that’s the Truth.  Thank you for loving us the way you do!  Thank you for drawing us close to you when we seek you.  I was lost but now I am found.

In Jesus Name, Amen