Monday, October 5 – “Celebrate the Festival of Unleavened Bread, because it was on this very day that I brought your divisions out of Egypt. Celebrate this day as a lasting ordinance for the generations to come.” (Exodus 12:17) “Celebrate” is a funny word to consider, if you think that communion is all about Jesus’ death on the cross. Why are we celebrating someone’s death by capital punishment? But, if you remember that communion is the fulfilment of what God started, way back in Egypt, you’ll celebrate.
Tuesday, October 6 – “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29) John and Jesus spent time together growing up. For John’s mother, Elizabeth, was Mary, Jesus’ mother’s cousin. John literally leaped in Elizabeth’s womb, when the pregnant Mary came to visit. It’s safe to say that he was an authority, regarding Jesus’ true identity. It’s this taking away “the sin of the world”, that we celebrate in communion.
Wednesday, October 7 – “Get rid of the old yeast, so that you may be a new unleavened batch—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.” (1 Corinthians 5:7) Why that little piece of unleavened bread for communion? Because of the ancient Passover tradition. No yeast. For Jesus is now the ultimate and forever Passover lamb, for all people. Trade in your old yeast, your growing edges, for the “new unleavened batch”, that’s your new life in Christ.
Thursday, October 8 – “Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.” (Romans 5:11) “Reconciliation” is the word of the day. It literally means: “The act of coming to an understanding and putting an end to hostility, as when former enemies agree to an amicable truce.” Jesus brings an end to any hostility between you and God. The door is now open for an intimate, personal relationship with the one who created you and sustains you.
Friday, October 9 – “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1) “Condemnation” is the word of the day. Or, it might be better said that “No more condemnation” is the phrase of the day. Because of Jesus, God’s not condemning you, so why are you condemning you? Because of Jesus you’re now free to move about the country, naming and claiming and fessing up to all your mess ups. You’re free to be real with yourself, with others and with God.
Saturday, October 10 – “How long will this wicked community grumble against me? I have heard the complaints of these grumbling Israelites.” (Numbers 14:27) These words were written by Moses, some 1400 years before Jesus. Church people grumbling obviously isn’t a new problem. Yet, through those 1400 years, as well as subsequent years, God put up with our grumbling. Yet, God still wanted to come as Jesus, in order to save us. And God still cares that much about little old us. That’s why we celebrate communion.
Tuesday, October 6 – “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29) John and Jesus spent time together growing up. For John’s mother, Elizabeth, was Mary, Jesus’ mother’s cousin. John literally leaped in Elizabeth’s womb, when the pregnant Mary came to visit. It’s safe to say that he was an authority, regarding Jesus’ true identity. It’s this taking away “the sin of the world”, that we celebrate in communion.
Wednesday, October 7 – “Get rid of the old yeast, so that you may be a new unleavened batch—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.” (1 Corinthians 5:7) Why that little piece of unleavened bread for communion? Because of the ancient Passover tradition. No yeast. For Jesus is now the ultimate and forever Passover lamb, for all people. Trade in your old yeast, your growing edges, for the “new unleavened batch”, that’s your new life in Christ.
Thursday, October 8 – “Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.” (Romans 5:11) “Reconciliation” is the word of the day. It literally means: “The act of coming to an understanding and putting an end to hostility, as when former enemies agree to an amicable truce.” Jesus brings an end to any hostility between you and God. The door is now open for an intimate, personal relationship with the one who created you and sustains you.
Friday, October 9 – “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1) “Condemnation” is the word of the day. Or, it might be better said that “No more condemnation” is the phrase of the day. Because of Jesus, God’s not condemning you, so why are you condemning you? Because of Jesus you’re now free to move about the country, naming and claiming and fessing up to all your mess ups. You’re free to be real with yourself, with others and with God.
Saturday, October 10 – “How long will this wicked community grumble against me? I have heard the complaints of these grumbling Israelites.” (Numbers 14:27) These words were written by Moses, some 1400 years before Jesus. Church people grumbling obviously isn’t a new problem. Yet, through those 1400 years, as well as subsequent years, God put up with our grumbling. Yet, God still wanted to come as Jesus, in order to save us. And God still cares that much about little old us. That’s why we celebrate communion.
You try to eat right. You drink plenty of water. you exercise. don't forget your spirit - feed it!
daily devotions
