Luke Part 3 Week 19

Day 1 

RECEIVE 

Luke 22:19 

¹⁹ He took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 

This passage continues to tell about Jesus’ last supper with the disciples before He went to the cross. Taking some bread, He broke it in pieces. It was a symbol of how His body would be treated. In the future as they ate the bread, He wanted them to be remembering Him and the sacrifice He made for them—and for all mankind. 

REFLECT 

The communion service is handled in different ways by various groups. Is it emphasized in your group that it is done in remembrance of what Jesus has done for you? 

RESPOND 

With a friend see a corresponding passage recorded by the apostle Paul about the communion service. That passage is 1 Corinthians 11:23-26. Notice there is no statement about how often it is to be done; only what to remember when it is done.  

Day 2 

RECEIVE 

Luke 22:20 

²⁰ After supper he took another cup of wine and said, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you.” 

Just as Jesus had used the piece of bread as a symbol, He then used the cup of wine for one. He told them what the cup represented—the “new covenant between God and his people.” Jesus indicated that agreement was confirmed by His shed blood. His blood would be poured out as a sacrifice for them. 

REFLECT 

The fact that Jews were prohibited from eating blood indicates Jesus was using the cup only as a symbol of His blood.  

RESPOND 

Talk with a friend about the New Covenant. Find it mentioned in Jeremiah 31:31-34. It refers to the national conversion of Israel, also referred to in Romans 11:25-27. Of course, a nation is made up of people. It does not require that every individual Israelite will trust in Jesus as Savior but that the vast majority will.  

Day 3 

RECEIVE 

Luke 22:21-23 

²¹ “But here at this table, sitting among us as a friend, is the man who will betray me. ²² For it has been determined that the Son of Man must die. But what sorrow awaits the one who betrays him.” ²³ The disciples began to ask each other which of them would ever do such a thing. 

Jesus told the group that one among them would betray Him. That comment was a surprise to the group and each one began to ask who could be guilty of doing such. This means that even though Judas Iscariot had been with them for three years as they followed Jesus, the others had no idea he had not believed in Jesus as his Savior.  

REFLECT 

Do you realize it is possible for someone to act like a believer in Jesus even though he or she is not? 

RESPOND 

When Mark recorded Jesus saying someone would betray Him, Mark 14:19 indicates each disciple thought perhaps he was the guilty one. Judas—and those like him today—will someday hear Jesus say what is recorded in Matthew 7:21-23.  

Day 4 

RECEIVE 

Luke 22:24-25 

²⁴ Then they began to argue among themselves about who would be the greatest among them. ²⁵ Jesus told them, “In this world the kings and great men lord it over their people, yet they are called ‘friends of the people.’” 

Despite the serious discussion at the meal about who would betray Jesus, the disciples began arguing about who would be the greatest among them. Imagine going from questioning who might betray Jesus to who might be the greatest. Jesus did not scold them but began to explain why they were thinking the way they were. It was the custom around them. 

REFLECT 

What do you think when you hear people talking about who is great, implying others are not? 

RESPOND 

Do you realize in some settings it is recommended that speakers write their own introductions? That is likely why some seem to make the speaker to be as important as possible. What the introduction should indicate is the person’s qualifications to speak on the subject.  

Day 5 

RECEIVE 

Luke 22:26-27 

²⁶ “But among you it will be different. Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant. ²⁷ Who is more important, the one who sits at the table or the one who serves? The one who sits at the table, of course. But not here! For I am among you as one who serves.” 

Jesus told the disciples who will be considered great. In contrast with the standards of the world, the one who serves will be considered the greatest. Jesus Himself was the example of that to the disciples. People do not normally struggle to see who can be the best at serving, but a love and concern for others will give a person the desire to help them.  

REFLECT 

What is it like when you are with a group of people? Are there some who are recognized as wanting to help in any way they can? Are some known as seldom offering to help? 

RESPOND  

To read about how Paul used Jesus as an example of serving others, see Philippians 2:5-11. The creator of the universe took the lowest possible position when He emptied Himself of His divine privileges and was born as a helpless baby into the human race.