Born for a Purpose

Matthew 26:27-29 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom." Thursday was Christ's last day with his disciples before the cross. It was the Passover, a time when Israel remembered God's faithfulness in delivering his people from slavery. Jesus sent his disciples to prepare the meal knowing that from this point on, the bread and cup would have a new meaning for all who followed him. At the meal, Jesus told the disciples that he would not be with them much longer, but he left a way for them to remember him. This act was neither elaborate nor expensive. He simply took bread and said, "This is my body." Then he took the cup and said, "This is my blood of the cov...

Worship Matthew 26:6-7 While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table. On Wednesday before the cross, Jesus clearly told his disciples that he would be crucified. The religious leaders made plans to capture and kill him. Judas went to the high priest and bargained for the price of betrayal. One other event also took place that day. As Jesus reclined at the table with his disciples, a woman came quietly to him and poured a jar of expensive perfume over his head. Some say the cost of the perfume represented her life's savings. The disciples were "indignant" and asked, "Why this waste? This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor," but Jesus came to her defense. "Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me." On Wednesday night, as Jesus lay on...

Pretenders Matthew 22:18 But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, "You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me?" On Tuesday before the cross, Jesus had three groups of people come with questions meant to trap him in a contradiction or a statement that they could use against him. The popularity of Jesus was too much for the religious leaders, and they planned to put a stop to it. The Pharisees came to Jesus first with a question about paying taxes. Later, the Sadducees came with a question concerning marriage at the resurrection. Then the Pharisees sent a representative who asked Jesus to identify the greatest commandment in the law. Each inquiry was proposed with the intent to discredit Jesus and, in the best-case scenario for them, put him on the cross. Following the series of questions, Jesus started asking his own. In his most pointed and piercing responses to any person or group, seven times over he called these religious leaders, "hypocrites," ...

MY FAULTS Jesus told us to be careful in how we judge others for their having a toothpick in their eye compared to a telephone pole in their own eye, otherwise Jesus calls us a hypocrite (Matt 7:5). Solomon reminds us that “Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense” (Prov 19:11). Only when it is sin that can hurt the church do you bring it to their attention (Matt 18:15). It’s like living in Kenya. There’re lots of faults, you just can’t dwell on them. BEARING BURDENS When you bear with one another and carry one’s burdens, you are lightening the load for them, as the Apostle Paul wrote, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal 6:2) “For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Gal 5:14). Paul may have put it best when he wrote “We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves” (Rom 15:1). NO FAULT Sometimes peop...

John 8:12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (NIV) Darkness describes a heavy blackness that hides a person's path. It stops progress, leaving a person paralyzed. Motion is halted in the drape of darkness. Light illuminates. The path is made clear. Brightness allows movement. Jesus is the light of the world. He reveals the way to God. Darkness is a cosmic cover-up. It hides God's creation and purpose. It keeps people in ignorance and fear. Light exposes. Whatever is around can be seen clearly. It gives understanding and wisdom. Jesus is the light of the world. He exposes error with the truth. Darkness confuses. Each path is hidden. Each crossway concealed. Direction is meaningless in darkness. Light explains. The way is made certain. The path is revealed. Decisions can be made regarding direction. Jesus is the light of the...