LORDS SUPPER 20230319

ROMANS 8:18–39 “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.

THis is what the Lord made possible for us through the cross.

The greatest shame we may endure for Christ here on earth will be a mere trifle when He calls us forth and publicly acknowledges us before the hosts of heaven. Even the excruciating pain of the martyrs will seem like pinpricks when the Savior graces their brows with the crown of life. Our present sufferings as light afflictions which are only for a moment, but he describes the glory as an exceeding and eternal weight .

How we marvel at what the Lord has instituted through His death, burial, resurrection and ascention. His love for us allowed Him to carry the cross, knowing that the weight of the World was on His shoulders. In fact every thing that we have done wrong can be reconciled to the Saviour. There is only one who is good yet so many people think they can be good yet without Christ. Yet God is love and He paid the ultimate price to purchase us through the blood of the Lamb. Jesus was led like a lamb to the slaughter yet His objective is to save you and to save me.

No wonder Jesus came for sinners. Those that rebel against this life and this World clearly show the need for Jesus Christ. If we loved our lives then the World will love its own. Living in the World can feel wonderful yet in it all the devil’s plight is evident that people love the darkness and will not recognise the light.

What Romans is teaching us is that we can endure suffering because we know that we will be rewarded should we adhere to the narrow path. Yet it is no surprise that the devil hates us because of our love for Christ. No doubt the devil wants to challenge our faith and that often involves inflicting us in an effort to see whether we will curse Him or stick it out with Him. Yet we understand in Romans that in all our suffering, this is just a pin prick compared to the exceeding glory that awaits for us in Heaven.

The Christian’s hope in Christ and perseverence is an act of love towards our Saviour. Yet our hope is in the resurrection life and all the multitudes of promises our Saviour has given us.

Clearly, those who have been forgiven much generally love much. Jesus does not promise to heal everyone. It is clear that suffering has its purpose and enduring this is when our love grows towards our Saviour. Yet the whole World groans awaiting the revelation of the children of God. For those that are led by the Spirit of God are the Children of God.

So this is what we can think of when we conduct in the Lords Supper. It is all about Him - about Jesus Christ who sacrificed His body in an act of love for all human kind. How our response needs to appreciate His sacrifice as He lowered Himself as part of own creation to reach His very own people yet making a way for Jews and Gentiles in the greatest act of love of all history. He was born through a virgin birth and suffered horrendous affliction to make it possible that we can turn to God and receive eternal life and redemption. His love for us goes further than the Heavens. His love for us like nothing else that the World can offer.

Let us remember that we also were in darkness. We all were living for a lie. Yet now we have received the greatest gift that can be given. That is our salvation and ticket to be with our creator for all eternity.

Let us now reflect on Lk 22:19-20.

19 And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”

Let us pray for the bread.

Dear Lord thankyou for thinking of us as you walked towards the path of the cross. Thank for your willingness to undergo obscene hardship that we will never have to contemplate yet we deserved it. We are all guilty before God not one of us is good except through you. Thank you for your stripes that you bore for our healing and salvation. We now take the bread it he name of Jesus.

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Continuing in Lk 19:20

20 Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.

Let us pray for the fruit of the vine.

Loving Father thank you for giving us your son as a perfect sacrifice. As the Lamb of God to be slaughtered, we recognise the power of Christ’s blood to forgive us of our sins and to recocile us sinners back to God.

We pray for this in Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour.

Let us now commerate the Lords victorious act through His blood as we partake in the fruit of the vine.

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