Truly, I say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.

Mark 14:12-25

Truly, I say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God. Mark 14:25

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is per the commentary, the third division of the text from Mark 14:12-25 - vv22-25.  

• Using the Sword Bible Study Method focusing just on the text for today - vv17-21: (1) God in the text: Jesus is once again alluding to his imminent crucifixion and sharing how this is done very purposely as the once for all final atonement for all the sins of humanity for all of redemptive history - see Hebrews 10:11-18. This was God's plan since the beginning and Jesus fulfills all the law and prophecies.  The disciples do not know it yet but the practice of using bread and wine to represent Christ's body and blood has not yet been instituted as Communion or the Lord's Supper - this is the first time. Jesus is also alluding to his coming resurrection and ascension to Heaven to be seated at the right hand of the Father in v25.  (2) people in the text: The disciples are unwitting participants in this first instance of Communion or the Lord's Supper.  (3) Sins to avoid, promises to claim, examples to follow, and commands to obey: We of course know that Jesus's words pointing to his death and resurrection do come to pass as Jesus is Truth and all of His promises come true - see 2 Corinthians 1:20.  We can trust Him and rest in His promises.  

 Excerpts from the commentary for the third (of three) division: 

• The title of the third division per the commentary is "Jesus Prepared a Last Supper That Was Actually a First Supper." 
• See also the others gospels account of the Last Supper and 1 Corinthians 10:14-22 and 11:17:34. 
• The Passover meal per Tim Keller (see King's Cross) was the "proper occasion for the Lord's Supper to be instituted": "It included four points at which the presider, holding a glass of wine, got up and explained the Feast’s meaning. The four cups of wine represented the four promises made by God in Exodus 6:6-7. These promises were for rescue from Egypt, for freedom from slavery, for redemption by God’s power, and for a renewed relationship [based on New Covenant] with God. The third cup came at a point when the meal was almost completely eaten." 
• We are referred to Sam Storm's thoughts (start at 5:55 mark) on how with this ritual from the Last Supper "[w]hat Jesus requested, indeed commanded, His followers and friends to do subsequent to His death is nothing short of shocking! It’s one thing to desire that your memory be preserved by your loved ones and that they continue to honor and esteem you throughout the remainder of their lives. . . . But it is altogether something else to command that your friends, family, and followers gather together regularly at a meal not only in your name but with you as the sole and exclusive focus. . . . Jesus commanded His followers, every time they broke bread together, to make Him the central point of their celebration and to recall and re-tell His life and death. Were anyone to make this request of me prior to their death, I would probably conclude that the proximity of their demise had afflicted them with delusions of grandeur and megalomania. Yet, this is precisely what Jesus commanded that each of His followers do in memory of Him!"
• "Jesus brings things to a close by refusing to drink the fourth and final cup. It is the cup of consummation and life in the promised land of God. For that cup He will wait. First, He must drink to the last drop the cup of God’s wrath and justice. Apart from it, no cup of blessing would be possible."

Indeed Jesus knew everything that was to happen, orchestrated all of it, and he did it so that we could have life to the full now and for eternity (John 3:16). We must also understand the role of communion.  Another good resource worth checking out is Sam Storms' thoughts on the Lord's Supper and Communion/The Eucharist where he uses 1 Corinthians 11:23-34 as the basis for his commentary.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves...thank You for saving me and giving me the opportunity to fellowship with You now in Spirit and for eternity in Heaven.  I am not deserving of such a gift - the greatest gift of all time.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear? And do you not remember?

Mark 8:1-26

Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear? And do you not remember? Mark 8:17c-18

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 8:1-26.  Excerpts from the commentary's third (of four) division (vv14-21):

• For the third division, the title is: "Disciples Will See Great Works but Fail to Fully Understand."
• "[Jesus] cautioned them, “Watch out! Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod.” A small amount of leaven will permeate a whole batch of bread dough. The leaven of unbelief has gripped the hearts of the Pharisees and Herod and has taken control of their entire lives. Watch out! Don’t let unbelief take you down and away from the divine truth you see and hear in Me."
• "[Jesus'] questions were not intended to shame but to instruct." What compassion!  
•  We are encouraged by the commentary to lean on text where it shares (1) believe that all things are possible with God - Luke 1:37; (2) how to be content in all circumstances and to see how through Him all things are possible and how He provides - Philippians 4:12-13, and 19.

V18 in particular is key as we should remember what God has done as constant reminders of what God has done will keep us focused on who God is, and how we are utterly dependent on Him for all things - big and small. See also this post from a couple of days ago.  God is always at work, and for those who love Him, He is able to make "all things work together for good" (Romans 8:28).

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion - You reached down into the pit, while still an enemy and hostile to You, and saved me.  You continue to pour out an inexhaustible supply of grace and mercy every day - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You save and love.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end[.]

Lamentations 3

But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end[.] Lamentations 3:21-22

This morning, until I start a new Bible study, I continue using devotionals from John Piper.  Today, the post focuses on what Piper refers to as "the great battle of [our lives]."  He unpacks this great battle by first stating that "[o]ne of the great enemies of hope is forgetting God’s promises." The antidote is the constantly remind ourselves of the "greatness and grace and power and wisdom of God." Otherwise, Piper writes how "we languish...[by] wallow[ing] in the mire of godless messages in [our] head."  We are referred to John 14:26 where Jesus promises the Holy Spirit and says that the Holy Spirit "will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you."  We are also referred to Psalm 77:11-12 where it says:

I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old.  I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds. Psalm 77:11-12

I am indeed grateful for all that God is and for all that God has done.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are indeed great and all that You have done is great and You have done much, and in fact You have done it all as You are the source of all things and my life.  Thank You Jesus for giving me life to the full and for eternity with You in Heaven.  I am not deserving of these blessings...not by a long shot!  I sin daily...worry, etc.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.

1 Chronicles 4-9

I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds. Psalm 77:11-12

Day 286 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues as my commentary* completes a review of the genealogies recorded in 1 Chronicles for the purpose of establishing a record of those who returned and settled in Israel and Judah upon return from exile. Another key purpose for recording such a history is to never forget how God has blessed us - we must remember. Worship and praise naturally results from remembering what God has done.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has done so much for me - I am undeserving of Your rich blessings and love.  My sin is great and daily - including worry, gossip, etc. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Because of everything written in this letter and because of what they had seen and what had happened to them, the Jews took it on themselves to establish the custom that they and their descendants and all who join them should without fail observe these two days every year, in the way prescribed and at the time appointed. These days should be remembered and observed in every generation by every family, and in every province and in every city. And these days of Purim should never fail to be celebrated by the Jews—nor should the memory of these days die out among their descendants.

Esther 5-10

Because of everything written in this letter and because of what they had seen and what had happened to them, the Jews took it on themselves to establish the custom that they and their descendants and all who join them should without fail observe these two days every year, in the way prescribed and at the time appointed. These days should be remembered and observed in every generation by every family, and in every province and in every city. And these days of Purim should never fail to be celebrated by the Jews—nor should the memory of these days die out among their descendants. Esther 9:26-28

Day 277 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues as my commentary as I finish a review of the book of Esther. Both Mordecai and Esther acted with courage when it counted and my commentary* points out how "[a]lthough there is no mention of God or covenant or restoration, there is the clear message that God watches providentially over his people".

*Smith, F. LaGard. The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®). Harvest House Publishers. Kindle Edition. 

Of importance as well with this story is how God providential protection is recorded for the Jewish nation to remember, as the festival of Purim is to be celebrated annually marking God's work during this period.  Worship is core to our faith and a critical spiritual discipline.  We must remember that God is in control, how all blessings come from Him, and without Him we would be lost and suffer the consequences of our sin - damnation.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and I know how You are in control and all blessings are from You.  I love You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You love and bless me.  I worry and I have other sins.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

“Remember these things, Jacob, for you, Israel, are my servant. I have made you, you are my servant; Israel, I will not forget you. I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you.” Sing for joy, you heavens, for the Lord has done this; shout aloud, you earth beneath. Burst into song, you mountains, you forests and all your trees, for the Lord has redeemed Jacob, he displays his glory in Israel."

 Isaiah 43-45

“Remember these things, Jacob, for you, Israel, are my servant. I have made you, you are my servant; Israel, I will not forget you. I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you.” Sing for joy, you heavens, for the Lord has done this; shout  aloud, you earth beneath. Burst into song, you mountains, you forests and all your trees, for the Lord has redeemed Jacob, he displays his glory in Israel." Isaiah 44:21-23

 

Day 194 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues with my study of Isaiah. This morning, Isaiah's message seeks to remind those in exile who God is, that He is the one and only true God, that He is omnipotent, that He is great and worthy of praise, that Babylon will fall, that He will use King Cyrus of Persia as an instrument to deliver those in exile, that He will forgive sins, and He pour out His spirit on those suffering in exile.

 

It is important to remember who made us, why we exist, and that our Creator is full of mercy and compassion - it should compel us into worship. 

 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has blessed me with life - to the full - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love.  I sin...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa an myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Instead, they will become snares and traps for you, whips on your backs and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from this good land, which the Lord your God has given you....You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the Lord your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed.

Joshua 23

Instead, they will become snares and traps for you, whips on your backs and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from this good land, which the Lord your God has given you....You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the Lord your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed. v13-14

Joshua is getting old and offers both words of warning and encouragement which serve all of us well.

1. We must be careful not to conform to the patterns of this world - Paul offers this same warning (Romans 12:2) as does Peter (1 Peter 5:8)
2. Remember all that God has done - for all of His children and specifically for you.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an amazing God You are that You have created the heavens and the earth, and everything in them, and You are perfect in all ways.  You chose to give up Your one and only Son - Jesus Christ - so that I could be free from snare of sin and have everlasting life.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such incredible gifts.  I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Fear the Lord your God and serve him. Hold fast to him and take your oaths in his name. 21 He is the one you praise; he is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes.

Deuteronomy 10

Fear the Lord your God and serve him. Hold fast to him and take your oaths in his name. He is the one you praise; he is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes. v20-21

Moses repeatedly refers to the Israelites as stiff-necked and rebellious (see Deuteronomy 9) - yet he loves them and more importantly He loves the Lord and knows the Lord loves the Israelites and is faithful.  Moses wants the Israelites to thrive in the Promised Land and he knows that they must constantly remind themselves of the source of their blessings.

See also my post yesterday.

All of us are stiff-necked and rebellious - on a daily basis.

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 1 John 1:8

We MUST remember what Jesus did for us - He gave us what we did not deserve (mercy and life) and spared us from what we did deserve (slavery to sin and death).

Lord Jesus, help me daily remind myself of who You are, what You have done for me and what You continue to do for me.

My Prayer: Jesus, You are indeed a great God who has paid it all for me.  Thank You Jesus.  I am not worth the price You paid for me.  My stubbornness and rebelliousness continues.  Please forgive me and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.

Deuteronomy 8

But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today. v18

Moses implores the Israelites to remember how God is the source of all the blessings the Israelites experienced:

Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. Your clothes did not wear out and your feet did not swell during these forty years. v2-4

For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land—a land with brooks, streams, and deep springs gushing out into the valleys and hills; a land with wheat and barley, vines and fig trees, pomegranates, olive oil and honey; a land where bread will not be scarce and you will lack nothing; a land where the rocks are iron and you can dig copper out of the hills. v7-9

When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you. Be careful that you do not forget the Lord your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day. Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, then your heart will become proud and you will forget the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. He led you through the vast and dreadful wilderness, that thirsty and waterless land, with its venomous snakes and scorpions. He brought you water out of hard rock. He gave you manna to eat in the wilderness, something your ancestors had never known, to humble and test you so that in the end it might go well with you. You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.” But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today. v10-18

Verse 17-18 are key here also because Moses reminds us of how arrogance displaces God from His rightful place as the center of our life and the source of all blessings.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17

I pray that God can help me remain humble and to remember how God provides all that I am and all that I have and experience.

My Prayer:  Lord Jesus, You are a great God full of love and compassion for me - Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love.  I fall down and am often arrogant.  Please forgive me and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help my serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.