Today’s scripture: Matthew 26:26-29 (NRSV) (KJV) (The Message) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Ben Lamb):
My great-aunt Mary used to enjoy telling a story on herself. When she was a child in the late 19th century, her small country church didn’t have hymnals, so she learned the music by listening to others around herself. She particularly liked one hymn and sang its chorus with great gusto:
Trust an old maid
For there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus,
But to trust an old maid.
Note that the name of the song is actually Trust and Obey, and today’s passage makes this old hymn come to mind. “Trust and obey” is a three-word summation to describe much of what Jesus did.
I’d never noticed before being given this Be Still assignment, but Jesus treated the bread and the cup differently. He blessed the bread; but he gave thanks for the cup. Why the difference? Yeah, everybody and their brother probably has an opinion, but here’s mine in addition.
If the bread represented his body, and his disciples were supposed to become little Jesuses (Jesi?) for the benefit of the rest of the world, then it was good of Jesus to bless the bread beforehand. Sort of like a Divine vitamin shot.
When Jesus addresses the cup, he speaks of it as his own blood which will be shed. He seems to be alluding to his future horrid crucifixion. How could it be that he “gave thanks” for such a gruesome future?
The only explanation I can think of is the fact that he knew how much good it would do for humanity in the long run, despite his personal incalculable cost in the short run. That sounds like a whole heap of love; a lot more love than can ever be explained in words.
Thought for the day: Maybe I should be more future-looking and act somewhat thankful instead of being whiney when faced with certain current circumstances.
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.