Luke 22:31-34

Sifting wheat is a violent process. It involves beating the wheat head to release the kernels, then shaking them in a grid that lets the kernels be separated from the chaff. If you were wheat, it was not something that you would want happening to you. Yet, without this sifting, you would miss out on your fullest potential.

God does not bring hardship to our lives, but does use it to bring us to our fullest potential. Jesus even says that he prays for us that we may not fail. He knows the struggles we will have, but He also desires for us to stay committed to Him. This is what He prays for us.

Life will shake us. This is guaranteed. It is through the strength of Christ that we may be shaken but not turn from faith.

Luke 22:24-30

Just what is a benefactor? Webster defines a benefactor as, “one that confers a benefit; especially : one that makes a gift or bequest.”  Seems a strange title for one described as having authority over others.  As they rule over, what benefit do they give?  None – This is exactly Jesus’ point.

The true leaders, the true “benefactors,” are not those who rule over others, but those who serve.  True leadership comes in giving true benefit, which comes in serving others.  This is what Jesus modeled for us and what He calls us to live.

Christ wants us to be benefactors to others by giving them the benefit of our service.  This is what brings true greatness.

Luke 22:14-23

Growing up, I always loved going to the doctor.  Not because I got to see the doctor, but because I was able to look through the magazines in the waiting room.  They always had one that had a hidden picture puzzle in it.  I would spend my entire time in the waiting room trying to find what was hidden in the picture.  Everything always looked a little off.  A tree had one branch that was bigger than the others, for example.  And in that branch one of the hidden pictures was to be found.

The Passover liturgy was something that all the Jewish disciples knew.  They had grown up reciting the hearing the liturgy.  But Jesus made a few changes.  He took bread, which they were used to, and said it was His body.  He took a cup, which they were used to, and said it was His blood.  He established a new covenant that was similar to what they were used to, but different.  It was a covenant established by Jesus.  It was the true covenant that had been hidden in the Passover all along.

God is not seeking to hide from us.  On the contrary, He is showing Himself to us all the time.  We just need to see and understand the hidden love of God that is in everything.  If we look, we will find it.

Luke 22:7-13

This story has always been funny to me.  “Where do You want us to prepare it?”  they ask Jesus.  And His response is a cloak and dagger arrangement to follow a man carrying a pitcher of water.  The house he enters will be the place.

What is most interesting about this passage to me is the room that is prepared.  Jerusalem was a busy place.  Everyone was in town to celebrate the passover and everyone was looking for accomidations.  A large room would have been hard to come by.  But the owner not only provides a large room, but furnishes the room.  It’s not just a bare, spare room, but probably the best room they had.  He gave His best knowing it was for Jesus.

Do we do the same?  When Jesus asks to use us or the things we have, do we give Him our best?  We can show Jesus our love by always giving  Him our best.