Reflecting on Luke 22:17-23“This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.” (Luke 22:20)
There is a sad irony in this shared cup of communion.
Jesus says this cup represents a new covenant relationship.
A covenant is an agreement between two or more parties to be in relationship.
Like a marriage, or a treaty between nations, or a business partnership.
This relationship is signed with blood; it is a blood pact.
But it is not the blood of both parties; just the blood of Jesus.
Jesus pledges His love with His blood (His life), the price He will pay!
‘I will die for you, as a sign and seal of God’s love for you!’
The irony is that as this cup is shared, Jesus knows He will be betrayed.
One of them will betray Him, but all of them will abandon Him when arrested.
To save their lives (their blood), they will flee from him.
Jesus knows that this is a one-sided relationship.
It depends on God’s love, not on ours which is weak and unreliable.
Let this sink in every time you remember your own fickle faithfulness.
God already knows about it, yet has pledged to love us to death… and beyond!
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, my relationship with You is one-sided. My spirit may be willing but my flesh is weak. Your spirit is willing and Your flesh is strong. Nothing, not even sin, suffering or death, can separate me from God's love as revealed by You!
Romans 8 states:
38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
What a Saviour. What a God!