Week 48 - Matthew 26:26-28

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body." 

Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered 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."

Life Application Study Bible, NIV, footnotes:

How does Jesus' blood relate to the new covenant?  People under the old covenant (those who lived before Jesus) could approach God only through a priest and an animal sacrifice.  Now all people can come directly to God through faith because Jesus' death has made us acceptable in God's eyes (Romans 3:21-24).

The old covenant was a shadow of the new (Jeremiah 31:31; Hebrews 8:1), pointing forward to the day when Jesus himself would be the final and ultimate sacrifice for sin.  Rather than an unblemished lamb slain on the altar, the perfect Lamb of God was slain on the cross, a sinless sacrifice so that our sins could be forgiven once and for all.  All those who believe in Christ receive that forgiveness.

Week 47 - Matthew 24:42-44

Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

Life Application Study Bible, NIV, Footnotes:

Christ's second coming will be swift and sudden.  There will be no opportunity for last-minute repentance or bargaining.  The choice we have already made will determine our eternal destiny.

Jesus' purpose in telling about his return is not to stimulate predictions and calculations about the date, but to warn us to be prepared.  Will you be ready?  The only safe choice is to obey him today.

I don't know about you, but in the culture we live in, there are a lot of days I find myself thinking, Lord Jesus, come quickly!  As Christians, it will be a glorious day when Jesus returns but to many, sadly, it will be more like a thief in the night.  Do you know people who need to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ?  Don't wait!  Jesus will return at an hour when we do not expect him!

Week 45 - Matthew 22:37-38 and Week 46 - Matthew 22:39

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  This is the first and greatest commandment.  

And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'

Life Application Study Bible, NIV, Footnotes:

Jesus says that if we truly love God and our neighbor, we will naturally keep the commandments.  This is looking at God's law positively.  Rather than worrying about all we should not do, we should concentrate on all we can do to show our love for God and others.

I hope this is not too confusing -- I'm posting two weeks at a time because these commands go together.  

For such a little word, LOVE is so big!  Our family has been studying 1 Corinthians 13, which is commonly referred to as the love chapter.  I wanted to study it with my children because it seems that almost any conflict can be resolved by simply applying this scripture.  

Read 1 Corinthians 13 here:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20corinthians%2013&version=ESV

Life Application Study Bible, NIV, footnotes:

Our society confuses love and lust.  Unlike lust, God's kind of love is directed outward toward others, not inward toward ourselves.  It is utterly unselfish.  This kind of love goes against our natural inclinations.  It is possible to practice this love only if God helps us set aside our own desires and instincts, so that we can give love while expecting nothing in return.  Thus the more we become like Christ, the more love we will show to others.

Love the LORD and your NEIGHBOR!

Week 44 - Luke 14:12-14

Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid.  But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."

God opens his kingdom to everyone.  In what ways can you invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind into your life, your home, your fellowship?  May we seek to love and serve the Lord with our whole hearts and glorify Him in all we do!