Luke 22:28-30 But you are those who have continued with Me in My trials. And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one upon Me, that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. --NKJV In the name of Him Who’s body and blood give us nourishment to endure many trials, amen.
Jesus spoke these words on Maunday Thursday evening right after He had instituted the Lord’s supper, and so, we must consider them within that context. Therefore, the Lord is promising His disciples who have continued with Him in His trials something even more than a distant glorious future in heaven. He is promising to bring heaven to them in the Holy Supper.
What a comfort this is. We who are Christ’s disciples have been baptized into His sacred body. This means that we are also partakers of His trials, each of us in our own way as was mentioned in yesterday’s devotion. Yet, even while we wait in this earth for the final end of all our trials and temptations in heaven, Christ gives us what we need to help us through. Baptism in Him means membership in the kingdom of God, the holy church, where he feeds us even now with the same meal which we will eat in heaven. He gives us His body and blood. In the supper heaven descends to earth, for wherever Christ is in the flesh there is heaven for us with all of the blessings which that includes. Amen.
Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, we thank You for bringing Your kingdom to us while we sojourn here and for providing a meal for us to feast on. We thank You that in Your supper You nourish us with the bread of life so that we can endure all of the trial, temptations and suffering of this present life. We also look forward to the time when we can enjoy this feast continuously in the mansions of heaven. Amen.
Copyright 2002, Reformation Lutheran Church http://ReformationChurch.org