Luke 22:20-23
Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Take a moment to settle into your surroundings and then begin to recognize your breath. As you breathe in, call on the name of Jesus and become aware of his presence with you. As you breathe out, open your mind and heart to receive whatever Jesus has for you today.
Look back over our last passage, Luke 22:14-19, and then read Luke 22:20-23 as if you were present with Jesus at the table.
In a traditional Passover meal four cups of wine are served to represent four promises of deliverance made by God to the Israelites (Exodus 6:6-7). Luke records Jesus’ words with two of the cups at this Passover meal.
At the Exodus, God’s promises were to Israel, but Jesus is about to extend those promises to all the people of the earth. Through his sacrifice, humanity will have the opportunity to find freedom, redemption, restoration and relationship with God.
Take a moment to meditate on the four promises of God to Israel:
“I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment. I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God.” - Exodus 6:6-7
How have you experienced these in your own life? Share your thoughts and feelings about this honestly with Jesus.
Read Luke 22:20-23 again.
It is significant that Jesus brings up the subject of his betrayer after he announces the new covenant he will usher in through his sacrifice. Jesus’ blood will be poured out to cover the rebellion of everyone, but people will still have the choice to remain captive to evil if they wish. Just as the Israelites had the choice to obey the terms of the old covenant and experience life the way God intended, so does every person who looks back to the new covenant sealed by Jesus’ blood.
For the final moments of this time of reflection, meditate first on the words of Moses to the Israelites and then to Jesus’ words to his followers:
“This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.” – Deuteronomy 30:19-20
“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.’” – John 14:6
What might Jesus be inviting you to do today?
What will you do about that?
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The Everyday Jesus Follower’s Guide ebook can help you learn how to recognize God's voice, how to read and understand the Bible, how to develop deep spiritual friendships, and how to become the person you were meant to be. Use it alone, with a friend or in a small group.
