Bible Pathways - Oct. 30, 2007

Luke 21

In Today's Scripture Reading:

The widow's offering; signs of the end; Jesus' last Passover; the Lord's Supper; prayer in the garden; Jesus' arrest; Peter's denial

The Israelites' annual Passover meal was a reminder that the blood of an innocent lamb and obedience to the Word of God had made it possible for their ancestors to be redeemed from death, set free from Pharaoh and Egyptian slavery, and to enjoy freedom in the promised land. On the evening of the Passover, Jesus took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them (His 12 disciples), saying, This is My body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of Me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the New Testament in My blood, which is shed for you (Luke 22:19-20). At this Passover, our Lord identified Himself with the sacrificial Passover Lamb.

The Lord's Supper is a reminder that Jesus' death on the cross delivered us from Satan, and set us free from the condemnation for our sins to receive eternal life. This ordinance is so sacred that the Holy Spirit emphasized its importance through the Apostle Paul who wrote: The Lord Jesus the same night in which He was betrayed took bread: And when He had given thanks, He brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is My body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of Me (I Corinthians 11:23-25). It is of the utmost importance that we consider carefully that our Lord said: This do in remembrance of Me. He did not make a suggestion but a command. Jesus reminds all His followers: Why call ye Me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? (Luke 6:46). And again He said: If a man love Me, he will keep My words (John 14:23).

The Lord wanted us to know that His death on the cross made the difference for us between spending eternity in the lake of fire (Revelation 20:14-15) or in heaven with Him (John 3:16; 14:2-3). The Lord's Supper is a continuing reminder that there is forgiveness for all who, by faith, accept Jesus' atoning sacrifice as the only means of receiving eternal life. It is also a time to consider what attitudes of ill will toward others, revenge, and lust need to be confessed and forsaken. The Lord's table is a reminder that whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that (the) bread, and drink of that (the) cup (I Corinthians 11:27-28).

Word Studies:

21:4 penury =overty; 21:13 shall turn to you for a testimony =ill turn out to be an opportunity to tell the Good News; 21:15 to gainsay =o refute; 21:34 surfeiting =verindulgence; 22:39 wont =n the habit of.

Cross References:

For Luke 21:27: See Daniel 7:13. Luke 22:37: See Isaiah 53:12. Luke 22:69: See Psalm 110:1.

Prayer Needs:

Pray for Staff: Bernice Rathbone • Government Officials: Rep. Bruce Braley (IA), Gov. Felix Perez Camacho (Guam), Rep. John Doolittle (CA), Rep. Peter Hoekstra (MI), and Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ) • Country: New Zealand (4 million) two large islands southeast of Australia • Major languages: English and Maori • Religious freedom • 51% Protestant; 16% Roman Catholic; 3% cults • Prayer Suggestion: Pray that God will keep you from speaking evil (Psalm 34:13).

Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 5:9