Hebrews 6:11
"And we desire
that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the
full assurance of hope until the end."
The
initiation of the Lord's Supper by Jesus took place as he and the
disciples observed the beginning of Passover. I imagine it must have
been a festive occasion, perhaps comparable to our Christmas
celebration in its importance to the Jewish faith. Jesus gathered
with the disciples for what only He knew to be the Last Supper.
How
difficult it must have been for the disciples to comprehend what
Jesus had to say. The disciples were in a celebratory mood for the
most part, several of them discussing who would be the greatest among
them in the Kingdom. They seemed to think they'd "made it"
after Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, albeit on a donkey.
Their expectation was for Jesus to usher in the Kingdom with a wave
of support from the common people. Occupy Jerusalem was about to
begin! The crowds had gone wild, laying down palm branches along the
path of the King, declaring: "Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes
in the name of the Lord!"
How
often do we let our own expectations block what God is telling us?
How easy it is to try to take our own path, fully believing it has
God's approval. How easy to close our minds to any other direction
thinking that One Way, means our own way. My guess is it happens far
too often and we probably don't realize it when we do. During this
time of Lent, and particularly on this Maundy Thursday observance,
may we take time to listen with our minds and our hearts for God's
direction, and allow Him lead us into 'the full assurance of hope
until the end'.
Prayer: Merciful Lord,
restore to us the joy of our salvation wherein lies our hope. Amen.
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