THE NEW COVENANT IN JESUS’ BLOOD

Luke 22:1-23 / Keywords 22:20

In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.

 

Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus

22:1 Now the Festival of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching, 2 and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus, for they were afraid of the people. 3 Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. 4 And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. 5 They were delighted and agreed to give him money. 6 He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present.

The Last Supper

7 Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. 8 Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.”

9 “Where do you want us to prepare for it?” they asked.

10 He replied, “As you enter the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him to the house that he enters, 11 and say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 12 He will show you a large room upstairs, all furnished. Make preparations there.”

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.”

20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.[a] 21 But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table. 22 The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed. But woe to that man who betrays him!” 23 They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this.

Footnotes

a. Luke 22:20 Some manuscripts do not have given for you … poured out for you.

1. As the Passover was approaching, the religious leaders were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus. Judas was one of the Twelve, but he became a betrayer of his master for money. Luke says that Satan entered him. That’s what happened when Judas didn’t accept Jesus’ love and word to the end. Now he watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to the enemies.

 

2. Jesus sent Peter and John to go into the city to prepare the Passover. It would be the Last Supper with his disciples before his arrest. Jesus wanted to teach them the meaning of his death and plant hope in the kingdom of God. During the Passover meal Jesus broke the bread and gave it to his disciples saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” Then he gave them the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.” The bread and the cup represent Jesus’ broken body and his shed blood on the cross. God’s promise to forgive our sins was sealed by Jesus’ death on the cross. If we repent and accept Jesus’ atoning death for us, we freely receive the forgiveness of our sins and become family members of God; we are reconciled to God and can serve the living God. This new covenant sealed by Jesus’ blood is for anyone who believes in Jesus.

 

Prayer Lord, help me remember your grace of forgiveness and live as your covenant people.

One Word Jesus shed his blood for my sins

BE ALWAYS ON THE WATCH AND PRAY

Luke 21:29-38 / Keywords 21:36

Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.

 

21:29 He told them this parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. 30 When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. 31 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.

32 “Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

34 “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. 35 For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”

37 Each day Jesus was teaching at the temple, and each evening he went out to spend the night on the hill called the Mount of Olives, 38 and all the people came early in the morning to hear him at the temple.

1. Jesus does not want us to see the world negatively and despair at what is happening but have prophetic insight to see the world from God’s point of view, for the kingdom of God is near. As Jesus promised, he will surely come, though we don’t know when. So, we must be careful not to let our hearts be weighed down by the anxiety of life and fleeting pleasures of the world, for the day will come suddenly like a trap. Jesus wants us to be spiritually alert and ready for his second coming.

 

2. It is easy to take Jesus’ warning lightly and become complacent. Jesus says, “Be always on the watch and pray” so that we may be accounted worthy to escape God’s judgment and stand before Jesus. Jesus spent his last days by teaching the word at the temple every day and spent the night the Mount of Olives. People came to the temple early in the morning to hear the word of God from Jesus. Learning the word of God like the people and teaching the word of God like Jesus can be an effective way to watch and pray as we wait for the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Learning and teaching the word of God enables us to stand before Jesus by overcoming the world.

 

Prayer Lord, grant us spiritual insight to see the world from God’s point of view and enable us to watch and pray, waiting for our Lord’s second coming.

One Word Watch and pray!

THE SON OF MAN COMING IN A CLOUD

Luke 21:20-28 / Keywords 21:27

At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

 

21:20 “When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near. 21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city. 22 For this is the time of punishment in fulfillment of all that has been written. 23 How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! There will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people. 24 They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

25 “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. 26 People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. 27 At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

1. Jesus’ prediction of the destruction of Jerusalem came true in 70 A.D. by Titus, a Roman general. It was the time of distress and wrath against the people of Israel. Many people were killed by the sword and taken as prisoners. It was God’s punishment on his people who rejected Jesus, the Messiah, who came to save them. Jerusalem would be trampled on until the times of the Gentiles have been fulfilled (20:16; Ro 11:25).

 

2. The destruction of Jerusalem is a foreshadow of the final judgment when Jesus comes again to judge the world and restore all things. Before his coming, there will be ominous signs in the earth and sky which will bring anguish and perplexity. The Lord Jesus will come in power and great glory as the King of kings and Lord of lords. It will be a day of terror for those who rejected him, but it will be a glorious day of rejoicing and victory for those who belong to him. Jesus’ people don’t need to be fearful of the signs of the end of the age but must stand firm and lift up their heads to welcome their coming Redeemer and King. When he comes again, a new heaven and earth will come, and we will live in his presence and reign with him forever. This is our living hope in Christ.

 

Prayer Lord, thank you for the glorious promise of the second coming of Jesus. Help me to live by faith while waiting for this second coming.

One Word Jesus is coming again with power and great glory!

STAND FIRM

Luke 21:5-19 / Keywords 21:19

By standing firm you will gain life.

 

The Destruction of the Temple and Signs of the End Times

21:5 Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, 6 “As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down.”

7 “Teacher,” they asked, “when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?”

8 He replied: “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them. 9 When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.”

10 Then he said to them: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.

12 “But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you. They will hand you over to synagogues and put you in prison, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. 13 And so you will bear testimony to me. 14 But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. 15 For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. 16 You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. 17 Everyone will hate you because of me. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 Stand firm, and you will win life.

1. The destruction of the temple sounded like the end of the world to Jesus’ disciples. They asked Jesus, “When?” and “What signs?” Jesus’ answer tells us how to live in a world tainted by evil and rebellion, idolatry, and immorality. Jesus warns us of deception of the anti-Christs and false prophets who try to lead God’s people astray. We need to know Jesus personally and have a sound understanding of the Bible not to be misled by all kinds of false teachings and ideas. There will be all kinds of natural and human-caused disasters such as wars, earthquakes, famines which frighten us. But we must not be fearful, for God is in control and is working out his purpose even in the midst of these things.

 

2. We may be persecuted, betrayed, and hated by the world or even close ones on account of Jesus’ name. It is not easy for anyone to bear it. However, we shouldn’t worry or become fearful, for Jesus promises to give us his word and wisdom. It can be an opportunity for us to witness to Jesus. If we don’t compromise, but stand firm on Jesus’ side, we will gain life.

 

Prayer Lord, help me not to be deceived, but to witness to Jesus and to stand firm.

One Word Stand firm on God’s side

THE WIDOW’S OFFERING

Luke 20:45-21:4 / Keywords 21:4

All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.

 

Warning Against the Teachers of the Law

20:45 While all the people were listening, Jesus said to his disciples, 46 “Beware of the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. 47 They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.”

The Widow’s Offering

21:4 As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. 2 He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. 3 “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. 4 All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”

1. The teachers of the law looked pious, but they were hypocritical. They went to the marketplaces to show off their fancy robes and to be greeted by people; they wanted to be treated as VIPs at banquets or in the synagogues. They did not seek God and his glory; rather they used God’s name to seek human glory and people’s recognition. They used religion as a cloak for taking advantage of weak people for their material gain. Jesus said that this kind of people will be punished most severely. Jesus wants us to live in the sight of God, seeking God’s glory.

 

2. As Jesus was standing in the temple, he saw some rich people putting a large amount of money into the treasury of the temple out of their wealth. But a poor widow put in two very small copper coins, which were the smallest unit of coinage in Jewish currency and were of very little value. But she put in all she had to live on out of poverty. It was worth more than money. She did not calculate or offer leftovers, but gave everything she had, proportionally more than the rich. Jesus saw her sacrificial heart and faith. In Jesus’ eyes, her gift was the most expensive of all, for she gave God her heart and trusted him for her future. This was her faith.

 

Prayer Lord, help me to seek you and your glory and give cheerfully for those who are in need out of love. Grant me eyes to see beautiful acts of love and faith in others.

One Word Jesus valued a widow’s gift to God

GOD OF THE LIVING

Luke 20:27-44 / Keywords 20:38

He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive.

 

The Resurrection and Marriage

20:27 Some of the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Jesus with a question. 28 “Teacher,” they said, “Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man must marry the widow and raise up offspring for his brother. 29 Now there were seven brothers. The first one married a woman and died childless. 30 The second 31 and then the third married her, and in the same way the seven died, leaving no children. 32 Finally, the woman died too. 33 Now then, at the resurrection whose wife will she be, since the seven were married to her?”

34 Jesus replied, “The people of this age marry and are given in marriage. 35 But those who are considered worthy of taking part in the age to come and in the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage, 36 and they can no longer die; for they are like the angels. They are God’s children, since they are children of the resurrection. 37 But in the account of the burning bush, even Moses showed that the dead rise, for he calls the Lord ‘the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’[b] 38 He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive.”

39 Some of the teachers of the law responded, “Well said, teacher!” 40 And no one dared to ask him any more questions.

Whose Son Is the Messiah?

41 Then Jesus said to them, “Why is it said that the Messiah is the son of David? 42 David himself declares in the Book of Psalms:

“‘The Lord said to my Lord:

    “Sit at my right hand

43 until I make your enemies

    a footstool for your feet.”’[c]

44 David calls him ‘Lord.’ How then can he be his son?”

Footnotes

b. Luke 20:37 Exodus 3:6

c. Luke 20:43 Psalm 110:1

1. The Sadducees did not believe in life after death; they were religious leaders, but practical atheists. They came to Jesus with a hypothetical, but unrealistic question (28-33). They intended to make Jesus’ teaching about the resurrection look absurd, but they only revealed their spiritual ignorance and godless way of thinking. They wanted to live forever on earth, enjoying their wealth and power. In reality, they lived in despair under the power of death, for they didn’t have faith in the resurrection. But there is resurrection from the dead and those who participate in the resurrection can no longer die for they will be clothed with a glorious resurrection body fit for heaven like that of the Risen Christ. The children of God will enjoy eternal life in heaven. Heaven is not an extension of life on earth.

 

2. God is the God of the living. Anyone who believes in God will not end in death, but they will be made alive in Christ. Those who are blinded from seeing God in Jesus may be alive physically, but spiritually are dead. Those who have faith and walk in the footsteps of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are the living. They will be victors over the power of sin and death in Jesus, David’s Lord, and will reign with Christ in the kingdom.

 

Prayer Lord, thank you for the glorious hope of resurrection in Christ. Open my spiritual eyes to see the God of the living and live with resurrection faith in my daily life.

One Word Hope in the God of the living

GIVE BACK TO GOD WHAT IS GOD’S

Luke 20:19-26 / Keywords 20:25

"Caesar's," they replied. He said to them, "Then give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."

 

20:19 The teachers of the law and the chief priests looked for a way to arrest him immediately, because they knew he had spoken this parable against them. But they were afraid of the people.

Paying Taxes to Caesar

20 Keeping a close watch on him, they sent spies, who pretended to be sincere. They hoped to catch Jesus in something he said, so that they might hand him over to the power and authority of the governor. 21 So the spies questioned him: “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach what is right, and that you do not show partiality but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. 22 Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”

23 He saw through their duplicity and said to them, 24 “Show me a denarius. Whose image and inscription are on it?”

“Caesar’s,” they replied.

25 He said to them, “Then give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”

26 They were unable to trap him in what he had said there in public. And astonished by his answer, they became silent.

1. The religious leaders were offended by Jesus’ warning through the parable, but they couldn't arrest him right away because they were afraid of the people. They sent spies to trap him into doing or saying something that would get him in trouble with the Roman government. “Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” If Jesus said yes, he would appear to support evil to the eyes of people. If Jesus said no, then he was inciting a riot against Rome. Jesus let them show him a denarius and asked them, “Whose image and inscription are on it?” They replied, “Caesars.” Then, Jesus said, “Then give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.”

 

2. Like the tenants in the parable, they did not want to give their due to anyone, either to the governing authority or to God. But Jesus said to them to give their due both to Rome and to God. As Caesar’s image and inscription were on a Roman coin, so we have God’s image in us. We have a basic duty toward God and to our country. However, duty to God supersedes duty to our country. Since God’s people have a dual citizenship, they should not evade their duty to God, their Creator. We owe everything to God and must give him our love, obedience, and worship.

 

Prayer Lord, help me love and worship you and live for your glory in my daily life while fulfilling my basic duty to my country.

One Word Give to God; give to Caesar