Luke 22:14-23
14 And when the hour came, he reclined at table, and the apostles with him. 15 And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” 17 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves. 18 For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 20 And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. 21 But behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table. 22 For the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!” 23 And they began to question one another, which of them it could be who was going to do this.
Reflection
The Lord’s Supper helps believers look to the past, present, and future. It helps us look to the past as we remember that Jesus sacrificed his body and blood on our behalf. When we take the Lord’s Supper, it also functions to presently encourage our hearts as we celebrate and connect with Jesus through the presence of his Spirit. There is an equally essential future element to the ongoing practice of the Lord’s Supper as we anticipate our full enjoyment of God’s kingdom when Christ returns (Luke 22:15, 18). To be a disciple of Jesus means looking back to the cross with gratitude and engaging with Christ in the present as we look to the future with hope-filled faith in his promises. It is especially this forward-looking, hopeful faith that strengthens us to live and endure in the radical ways of Jesus.
1 Timothy 3:1-7
3: The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.
Reflection
Turning his attention to overseers, Paul gives instructions about the need for godliness in the lives of church leaders. As the saying goes, “like shepherd, like sheep.” Jesus wants a church full of people who radiate the gospel to a dark world, and therefore those who desire to lead the church must meet the qualifications.
The qualifications concern a man’s reputation, marriage, self-control, ministry, sobriety, temperament, money, family, maturity, and reputation among unbelievers (1 Tim. 3:2–6). These traits demonstrate a well-balanced life of godliness and provide great benefit to the church as a whole. When these types of men lead our churches, the gospel will look more attractive to a lost world.
Psalm 42:11
11 Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.
Christian faith and obedience is strengthened by the forward-looking hope of what Christ has obtained for us. Ask God to give your Christian community a future-oriented perspective that eagerly anticipates the promises secured by the work of Christ.