The Preparation
The Journey To Resurrection, Part 1
Every journey has its challenges and we need to be prepared for what may come along the way. How do we prepare ourselves to walk through a difficult journey? Well, what did Jesus do before he went to the cross?
“When the path in front of us seems too dreadful to bear, the one who walked through the deepest valley, is traveling with us. ”
Scripture:
Luke 22:14-30
When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.”
After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”
And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”
In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table. The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed. But woe to that man who betrays him!” They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this.
A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. You are those who have stood by me in my trials. And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Highlights:
• No journey is more painful and more lonely than what Jesus endured for us.
• The empty tomb reminds us that though life is filled with many trials, God’s purpose for his children always ends in glory.
• As we prepare to take a difficult journey, we have to chart the course ahead.
• There’s a part of us that naturally resists God’s place in our lives.
• Like any healthy relationship, what God really wants is our hearts.
• Sin is not just what we do, it’s our attitude towards God.
• The only way for us to be gathered to God’s kingdom, is through Jesus’ body being broken and his blood being poured out for us.
• If we’re going to deal with the traumas of life, we have to look forward, trusting in the goodness of God.
• As we prepare to take a difficult journey, we have to lookout for the people traveling with us.
• We can get so consumed with soothing our pain through vices, that we close our hearts off from being there for the people that need us the most.
• True leadership is a commitment to serve. It’s not about being great in people’s eyes, but secure enough with who you are in Jesus that nothing is beneath you.
• Our relationship with God is tied to one another, and we’re never more truly like Jesus than when we’re serving each other.
• Serving is the bonding agent of a community.
• Either we’re serving the people in our lives, or allowing our trials to make us more inward.
• When the path in front of us seems too dreadful to bear, the one who walked through the deepest valley, is traveling with us.
