PATIENTLY  POSSESSED

Jack Davis

Winners in Control

“In your patience possess ye your souls.” Luke 21:19. Let us see to it (make it a matter of attitude and action) that we stay consciously in His hand by patiently waiting upon the Lord in each test. In “patience” we think of steadfast endurance, characterized by constancy and consistency. In the word “possession” consider the thought of taking control or gaining the mastery over. i.e. Winning ones soul for the purposes of God. What shall it profit a man to gain the world and lose his own soul?

Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shall thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thy self also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for him…For evildoers shall be cut off: But they that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth.” Psalm 37:7,9.

“I waited patiently for the Lord, and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he put a new song in my mouth, even praise to our God.” Psalm 40:1-3. 

In these and many other scriptures we find how our souls may be brought into gainful possession.

“For thou hast possessed my reins; (Heb. ‘Kidneys,’ i.e. my innermost being) thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:13-14. Our Lord would have us aware that He has determined to control our lives from within. “Possessed” here expresses to own, erect, create and also procure. We are His both by creation and redemption.

Oh how blessed, what glorious rest, to stay joyfully impressed, with being divinely possessed. For His timing is always the best. It will be worth every minute that we have waited in learning to lean on Him. Those faithful unto death are promised a crown of life. Those that keep the word of His patience will be kept out of the hour of temptation (tribulation) coming on this world.

There are so many ills today that abound in relation to impatience, whereby we seem to get out of proper control. There are many that teach ‘“self control,” telling us how to take authority of our lives. But How? How else, but by total commitment unto our living Lord. He says to us, “Take my yoke upon you and learn of me.”

Consider The Context

This admonishment if given in relation to the later day signs, the things that are to take place in connection with Jesus return and revelation to His people. They had asked him, “When shall these things be? And what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass.” Luke 21:7, Therefore He spoke of “nation rising against nation, great earthquakes in divers places and famines and pestilences vs. 10-11. He tells of the times of the Gentiles coming to fulfillment v. 24. Then in v. 34 He said, “And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting (Over indulgence); and drunkenness, and cares of this life, (earthly existence) and so that day come upon you unawares.”

I appreciate the way Paul said it in that thrilling and comforting chapter on our being caught away at Jesus coming. “That everyone of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour.” I Thess. 4:4. Read verses 1 through 9.

We are often urged, in view of our dear Lord’s return, to allow spiritual possession of our triune being. When was there ever a greater need to put on the helmet of hope, and the breastplate of faith and love, in all soberness? I Thess. 5:6-8. These tell us of some controls that afford us timely protection for hearts and mind that may otherwise be susceptible to dangerous distractions.

Paul beseeches us to present our bodies a living sacrifice, and tells us how important it is that our bodies be under the control of the new creation life, lest we be disqualified to be crowned winners on this Christian race course. Rom. 12:1 and I Cor. 9:24-27.

We are taught by grace to deny ungodliness, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly, while we look for that blessed hope and glorious appearing. Titus 2:11-14.

Peter urges those that are kept by the power of God, to gird up the loins of their mind, be sober, and hope to the end for that grace that is to be brought at the revelation of Jesus Christ. I Pet. 1:5,13. We cannot allow our minds to run rampant or out of control. Let not our hearts get out of focus, our race is almost over. Oh, Yes we have been provided “Mighty” weapons whereby we are able to pull down strong hold, cast down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and to bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. II Cor. 10:4-6.

He has provided that we be consistent in a patience of hope, waiting for His Son from heaven. I Thess. 1:3,10. This is indeed intended to have a purifying influence in our lives I John 3:1-3. This hope, laid hold of, acts as an anchor for our souls. Heb. 6:19. How privileged we are to be able to allow our hearts to be divinely directed into God’s abiding love, and a patient waiting for Christ. II Thess. 3:5.

Let us walk with patience as Abraham did. “So after he patiently endured, he obtained the promise.” Heb. 6:13-15. Let us work with patience for He has promised; “God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love…” Heb. 6:9-12, I Cor. 15:58 and Col. 3:23-24. Let us run with patience, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.

 THE WILL OF GOD

Anita Clark – Pastor

Grace Chapel

 Carbondale, Kansas

What is meant by “God’s Will” or doing the will of God?  He has a plan, which is His divine working and will. There are many references in the Bible that speak of “God’s Will.”  What God will do is always according to His plan.  This plan was made before the foundation of the world” (Ephesians 1:4). The word “will” speaks of his “determination” according to His plan.

Psalms 143:10 says, “Teach me to do Thy will for Thou art God, lead me in the land of uprightness.” This should be our desire. God wants us to do His will, and honor Him, yielded to His desires in our lives. He wants to be first place in our lives always. We are either in the will of God, following what He wants, or out of the will of God through our disobedience.

Psalms 50:15 says, “And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me.”  Psalms 91:14-15 says, “Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.  He shall call upon me and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble.” Note, God is willing to help us.

In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus says “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  “Labour”- in the Gk. “speaks of hard work, or to have fatigue.” In Matthew 12:50, Jesus said, “For whomsoever shall do the will of my Father, which is in heaven, the same is my brother and sister and mother.”

Romans 12:1-2, tells us what the will of God is, holding nothing back, responding to His mercy (Vs.1).  This is the will of God that we give ourselves to God, presenting our bodies to Him (“as living sacrifices”).  Paul and many others have done the will of God, walking in His will for their lives.  How about us? The word “present” in Vs.1, means offer, as a willing sacrifices.  Verse 2, “..that ye may prove what is that good, acceptable and perfect will of God.”  These three words are descriptive words of the will of God, and they are adjectives in this sentence.  The word “good” means “of benefit, or well” while “acceptable” means “fully agreeable.”  

When used in other places in the New Testament it is clear it is not a word trying to show an inferior place to be in, but our yieldedness to God in His divine will.  Then, we have the word “perfect” which means - “complete, of full age.”  We are to enter into the Will of God for our lives. Some walk after the flesh, in half heartedness toward God and His will for them.  Yielding to the will of God or else not walking in the will of God, that is the question.

In Romans 9:28, Paul says, “For He will finish the work, and cut it short (speedily) in righteousness because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.” In Galatians 1:3-4 Paul says “...our Lord Jesus Christ, Who gave Himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father.”  Jesus prayed in the garden before His crucifixion, “He prayed saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as Thou wilt.” He hated the sin which would be upon Him, but He was willing for God the Father’s will to be done.  This will speaks of God’s plan from before the foundation of the world.  Jesus went to the cross to do His Father’s will.

In Romans 8:26-27, we learn that the Holy Spirit is making intercession for us “with groanings that cannot not be uttered.” Verse 27 says that the Holy Spirit is “...making intercession according to the will of God.”  Isn’t this a precious thought?  The scripture says that Jesus Christ is interceding for us (Vs. 34).  Psalms 44:21 says, “Shall not God search this out?  For He knoweth the secrets of the heart?”  Psalms 139:23 says “Search me , O God and know my heart; try me and know my thoughts.”

Many times the Word introduces Apostle Paul, as “by the will of God.”  We should always be in the will of God, what He wants for our lives and in our lives.  I Thessalonians 4:3 states, “This is the will of God, even your sanctification...” God is working in us, setting us apart from the world and sin.  This is what “sanctification” means. Hebrews 10:36 says, “For ye have need of patience, that, after you have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.”  God’s will for each person to know Him as Saviour, to grow up in Christ from babyhood to adulthood as we learn the Word, our Spiritual food, to overcome daily by leaning on Him, to be learning more about Jesus everyday, and to be ready for the coming of Jesus at anytime.

 WE SEE JESUS

Part 3

Pastor Floyd H. Crook

(1982)

“THEREFORE we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip….Thou host put all things in subjection under his feet….But now we see not yet all things put under him. BUT WE SEE JESUS, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste DEATH FOR EVERY MAN.” Hebrews 2:1,8b,9.

JESUS’ VICTORY OVER DEATH

When Jesus was buried the religious rulers came to Pilate, “Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again. Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure….” Pilate replied, “Ye have a watch: go your way, MAKE IT AS SURE AS YOU CAN.” Matthew 27:63 and 65. I do not know what was in the mind of Pilate, but somehow I feel he thought, “Make it as sure as you can, but it isn’t going to be sure.” They rolled the stone to the door, set a seal upon it, and set a watch to guard the tomb. In spite of all of the precautions, the Bible tells us that some women were on their way to the tomb early in the morning, the first day of the week. As they were going, they reasoned about who could roll that stone away, because it was very great. When they LOOKED, they saw the stone rolled away. (As far as I am concerned, no one saw that act.) When they got there, Jesus was not in the tomb. Hallelujah! Glory! HE WAS RISEN FROM THE DEAD. “...it was not possible that he should be holden of it (death).” Shortly after I had that heart attack (Do not want to talk about myself too much)”, something struck me in my left arm. It might have been a stroke. It was terribly painful; looked like I was going to lose the use of my left arm. It has improved much, because God has given me a vision of Jesus. Hallelujah! It is marvelous when we get our eyes on the Lord.

When the disciples were told about Jesus’ resurrection, they did not believe it. Jesus came to them, as they were gathered together, with one missing - you know who that is. Thomas came later and said, “Except shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger Into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.” John 20:25. Later, when Jesus appeared, I think He gave Thomas the invitation, “Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands, and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.” Thomas answered: “My Lord, and my God.” I don’t think Thomas put his finger in the nail prints. He was so overjoyed, he forgot all about the natural proof he had wanted to have. HE SAW THE LORD! GLORY TO GOD!

He appeared to the disciples various times, after His resurrection. One time they had toiled all night - fishermen, you know - and had caught nothing. Jesus told them where to cast their net, and they found fish in abundance. Later, Jesus called them to the shore, but he didn’t tell them to bring along their fish and cook them. The meal was all prepared. You see, Jesus wants to do something for us. To be sure, we in turn bring something to Him, but first of all, He does something for us. If we will just let the Lord do what He wants to do on the inside, every thing else will automatically be regulated. He will do for you, and through you, what He wants to do.

Part 4 – continued in the nest issue

 Prophecy

Earlene Davis

A Great Warfare

Daniel’s last and greatest vision is recorded in chapters 10,11 & 12. It gives further revelation of end time events and contains what has already been revealed. The first section fo the vision (Ch. 10 to 11:1) is mainly introduction.

Daniel 10, verse one, “In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a thing was revealed unto Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the thing was true, but the time appointed was long: and he understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision.” 

The original Hebrew text reads, “and the thing was true, even a great warfare. That is the subject of the vision, even a great warfare, a war between opposing forces which affects the nations. Daniel knew it is not to be in his day, “the time appointed was long.”

Cyrus had given commandment that the Jews could return to and land, and a few went back. Those who did had much difficulty which is recorded in the book of Ezra. The neighboring people withstood those returnees. A small replica of the temple was undertook that did not have the glory that it once had in Solomon’s time. All this burdened Daniel.

Daniel fasted and praye and Daniel sees a man, it is none other then the Lord Jesus Christ clothed as Judge (Vs. 5-6), the judge of the nation Israel. In the book of Revelation, John saw Christ as judge of the church, but Daniel was shown only those things concerning His people (V. 14).

The others with him did not see Christ, only the brightness and they trembled being afraid and fed (V. 7). Daniel became weak hearing the voice of his words and fell, his face to the ground (Vs. 8-9). Behold a hand touched Daniel and set him on his knees and the palms of his hands (V. 10). He is told by the Lord Himself that he is greatly beloved and told to stand up and not fear, for I am come in answer to your prayers (Vs. 11-12).

The voice said the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me 21 days, but Michael, a chief prince came to helped me and I remained with the kings of Persia (V. 13). Many people do not understand the strength and power of wicked forces in the heavens. In spite of people thinking that Satan is in hell, he is not there yet, he is loose today, he is the god of this world, the prince and power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience (II Cor. 4:4; Eph. 2:2). Satan has organized wicked forces (Eph. 6:12). We learn here that he has a captain over ever nation. The prince of Persia is not Cyrus, he couldn’t withstand the Lord. It had to be a spiritual power of Satan forces.

The devil knew the Lord was going to show Daniel this and he did not want anyone to know what was going to happen. Today the devil knows his time is short (Rev. 12:12). He redouble his efforts all he can, especially against the people who want to know the truth and who want to reign with Christ. He fights them more than anyone else. Because if he can defeat them, in that sense he has defeated the Lord. So he withstood and Michael a warring prince, fought against that evil force.

We read of Michael in the book of Revelation (12:7-9), he will rid heaven of these wicked powers. We cannot fight against the devil with flesh and blood, we have no power over him. Our one spiritual weapon is the sword of the spirit. We do have an Armour to clothe ourselves with (Eph. 6:12,17). 

Again Daniel is told that the vision is “for many days.” “The later days.” It is to much for Daniel, he looked toward the ground and became dumb, he could  not speak a word. (Vs. 14-15).

The Lord touched Daniel lips. Daniel said, how can I talk, I have no strength, there is no breath left in me. The words of God strengthened Daniel and they strengthen us (Vs. 16-18). Again the Lord tells Daniel that he is greatly beloved and not to fear, “peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me. I was strengthened, and said, Let my Lord speak: for thou hast strengthened me” (V. 19).

Isn’t this wonderful, how even the words of God can strengthen us. We are so privileged to have the written Word. As we read, it, it is as though someone speaks it to us. When we have it in our heart and mind, it strengthens us. The Lord is speaking, just like He spoke to Daniel. Praise the Lord! He speaks to our hearts and strengthens us.

V. 20, “Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come.” 

These are opposing forces. It started in the heavenlies and was reflected on the earth. Here was the prince of Persia and the prince of Grecia and they do battle together and then on earth they had the battle.

V. 21, “ But I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince.” 

No one strentheneth himself with me, but Michael your prince. God sent Michael to Daniel for this. Michael is a special warring angel for Israel.

Chapter 11:1, This is referring back to Michael even in the first year, there was a mighty conflict in the skies, the evil forces were against the setting up of the Medo-Persia Empire. Why? Because that signaled the Jews release. 

Continued in the next issue.

 JONAH

Debra Isenbletter, Pastor

Springfield, Missouri

Jonah 2:5: “The waters compassed me about, even to the soul: the depth closed me round about, the weeds were wrapped about my head.”

In this verse Jonah gives descriptions of the restrictions, of the confinement that he cannot escape.  

The first description is “The waters.”  There are many things that these “waters” can picture. The waters can picture many dangers.  In his song David writes of how God delivered him from “many waters” which can picture the many dangers from his enemies and from Saul who constantly sought his life. “He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters.” (2Sam.22:17). These were waters that David could not escape. Without God’s help David would have despaired and died.  Sometimes the deliverance takes place while in the midst of the waters. David did not drown in despair, and he did not die, he trusted in his God and he was kept afloat until he was delivered.  The waters can picture a powerful overwhelming force. These waters are described as “the breach of waters” (2Sam.5:20) where the Lord breaks through the defenses of the enemy. There these waters are like a great tidal wave, a Tsunami that crushes everything in its path.  The waters can picture the godless nations that overwhelmed God’s people. “The nations shall rush like the rushing of many waters” (Isa.17:13).  Sometimes the godly can feel as though they are being overwhelmed by the ungodly. The waters can picture great fear.  “Terrors take hold on him as waters, as a tempest stealeth him away in the night.  I believe for Jonah “The waters” are a picture of despair and death.  That was all he could feel and all he could see.  

The restriction is that they “compassed me about, even to the soul.”  Jonah felt “surrounded” and “engulfed” by these waters, not just outwardly but inwardly.  He was utterly and completely overwhelmed and felt that he was at the point of death. This can be translated, “The waters compassed me about, even to [the extinction of] life” (Amplified) or “to the point of death” (New American Standard).  Jonah was physically and emotionally overwhelmed and overcome.  We can be overwhelmed by the weight of sin and the judgment of sin.  David wrote:  “For innumerable evils have compassed me about: mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up…” (Psa.40:12) Here we see the weight of sin and the soul being overwhelmed by sin.  The sinner must feel the burden of his sins before crying out: “Lord be merciful to me a sinner.” (Luk.18:13).  David confessed his sin and felt that weight lifted. Jonah must feel the burden of his sin before crying out for deliverance.  This is also a picture of the judgment of Jesus at Calvary. He felt the weight of our sins for He was “made sin for us who knew no sin”. (Rom.5:21). That weight made him feel like “a worm (a maggot)” (Psa.22:6).  

The second description is: “the depth closed me round-about.”  This was a confinement he could not escape.  The “depth” can be translated the “abyss.”  It can picture the grave because it is an enclosure within another enclosure.  The restriction is: “closed me round about.” It “surrounded” him, it “encircled” him”, it “enveloped” him. But it can also mean “to turn about, change, transform.”  Jonah was held in place by God’s Will and God’s Word.  There was a limitation because he is “surrounded, encircled.” There was protection because he was “enveloped. There was direction because he was “turned abou.”  There was transformation because he was “changed, transformed.”  It is through his suffering that he is changed. It is from this inescapable place of both restriction and protection that he will learn to submit.  It is from this place that he will learn to cry out in faith.  Again, Jonah looks back to the scriptures, and we find a similar cry, “I am come into deep waters where the floods overflow me.” (Psa.69:2).  We are all changed by our suffering and our submission, and by our faith in our Deliverer.  In Jonah we see several types. We see Jesus in the grave waiting to be delivered, dependent and submissive and waiting upon God. He will be transformed by resurrection. We see the saint transformed by Calvary.  We see the remnant that will one day receive their Deliverer, their Messiah and be transformed by suffering.

Finally, we see the last restriction. “the weeds were wrapped about my head.”  The word “weeds” means literally “a reed, a water plant, sea weed.”  Figuratively Strong’s says it can mean “to stop, to rule.” It can mean “to bind (up), gird about, govern.”  It can mean “to bind on, to bandage (to heal).  These were the weeds of the sea, we would say seaweed.  These weeds can picture all the things that bind and hold tight.  As he was dragged through them, they began to wrap around him, especially his head. 

Another interesting point is that “weeds” is plural, showing there were many.  They can picture the many prophecies that will be fulfilled, and until they are fulfilled Jesus is held by them.  They can also picture the different truths of God’s Word.  They have the power “to stop” us, “to rule” and “govern” and “to bandage (heal).”  Jonah says that they are wrapped about “my head.”  The “head” literally speaks of a “part of the body.” It is where our mind resides. It is where our will resides.  The “head” typically speaks of an individual, a “captain,” a “chief,” someone in authority.  This is about acknowledging authority and submitting to authority.

The weeds that wrap about his head are a personal, painful, powerful lesson for Jonah.  In that moment he recognized God’s Will and God’s Word, which is what he had run from.  Those weeds will make him recognize God was his “head,” his “chief.” Those weeds will turn into promises that give him hope.  The weeds wrapped around the head is a picture of submission to authority. Jonah submitted to his “head” (God); Jesus submitted to His “head” (God); we submit to our “head” (Christ).  Those weeds are part of God’s judgment and God’s lesson to Jonah.  He may have struggled and been overwhelmed at first but when he realized he stopped struggling, he no longer feared them or fought them, he submitted to them.

 Psalm 23 

Part 5 continued

By Vicky Moots

Psalm 23:5 “Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies…”. That seems like a strange thing for God to do: to prepare a table and to tell us to sit down and eat when we are surrounded by our enemies. But if we are going to be going into battle, we need strength to fight or we will faint. We need to feed upon the Word of God in order to have the strength to overcome Satan.

God provided a table in the presence of the enemies of the prophet Elijah in I Kings 19:1-8. Elijah was running from Jezebel who sought to kill him. He became discouraged because of this, and fearful, and even asked the Lord to take his life. He fell asleep in the wilderness under a juniper tree and was awakened by an angel. “…an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat…And he did eat and drink, and laid him down again.” I imagine he thought he was dreaming. Perhaps this was the first “angel food cake,” or where the name came from. “And the angel of the LORD came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee. And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights…”.

The number forty in Scripture speaks of completeness, or full measure, of testing. The Lord knew exactly how long His trial would last both physically and spiritually, and He provided sufficient food for strength for the battle He would face. The Lord is also faithful to provide something from His Word, exactly what we need, that will encourage us and strengthen us when we go through our trials.

He wants us to arise, wake up out of sleep, and to eat. We must partake of His Word daily and whenever we feel weak or discouraged. Reading self-help books or something like “5-easy steps to overcoming” is not sufficient. There is no substitute for the nutritious banquet He has provided for us in the inspired Word of God. We need the “Word of His grace” to build us up, so we must feast at the table that the Lord has provided for us. Sometimes we even need to take a second helping, as Elijah was told to do!

There is another example given in the Old Testament in which God provided the necessary food for strength for the battle in the presence of enemies. This is found in I Sam. 14:24-29. The people of Israel had gone to battle against the Philistines, but King Saul had commanded them to not eat anything at all until evening, until he was avenged of his enemies. As a result, the people in the army had become very weak and faint. Verse 25, “And all they of the land came to a wood; and there was honey upon the ground.” None of the people ate it because they were afraid of the King’s command. But Jonathan, the King’s son, had not heard about his father’s oath and so “…he put forth the end of the rod that was in his hand, and dipped it in an honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his eyes were enlightened.” After they told him about the command he said, “…My father hath troubled the land: see, I pray you, how mine eyes have been enlightened, because I tasted a little of this honey.” Honey represents the Word of God. Ps. 119:103, “How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” Just as the honey enlightened Jonathan’s eyes so that he could see and think clearly so the Word of God enlightens our minds and hearts and enables us to see clearly who our enemy is, and to see the Lord, who is leading us. Satan disguises himself as a wolf in sheep’s clothing and tries to seduce us to go down the wrong path. Many churches today have become places of entertainment instead of true worship. They try to make you feel good with the music and the social gospel they preach but they provide no food for the soul. The sincere milk of the Word of God has been watered down by man’s ideas and so the sermon is void of spiritual nutrition. No real food being served.

But if we are following our Shepherd, he will prepare us a table that is filled with exactly what we need to strengthen us for battle. God does not remove our enemies. Instead, He provided the strength to overcome as we partake of the food that He has prepared for us. We will be able to go on in the strength of that meat until our trial is complete and the victory has been won.

Even Jesus, shortly before He was arrested and crucified (the same night) had a table prepared for Him in order to strengthen Him for what lay ahead. He sat down with His disciples to eat His last Passover meal, which we now call the Last Supper. At that table, He was in the presence of His enemy, for Satan had entered into Judas who would soon betray Him. They all partook of the Passover lamb together as a remembrance feast of that first Passover lamb that had to be slain by each household of the children of Israel when they were in bondage in Egypt in order that the blood could be applied to the doorposts so that the death angel would pass over their house that night, and their firstborn would escape death. Then they roasted the lamb and ate it so that they would have the strength to leave Egypt that night.

Jesus then explained to His disciples while they were eating, as He took the wine and the bread that it represented the new covenant in His own blood and His body that was broken just like the bread, and given for them, and that they were to all to partake of it in remembrance of Him. Even then, they did not understand that He was soon to be sacrificed, to shed His blood, just like that first Passover lamb.

Why would Jesus, the Son of God, need to eat the Passover meal before going to the cross? It was because He was also a man and needed strengthening for what He would soon face. When He partook of the lamb that had been prepared, it was to strengthen Him to be able to be in full agreement with His Father’s will, to die on the cross as the Lamb of God that would take away the sin of the world, to become sin for us, to finish the work He was sent to this earth to do. He was also identifying with the lamb that they were eating, knowing that it represented Him.

Shortly after supper, Jesus took His disciples to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. He left them and went on further to commune with His Father privately, and there He prayed in agony alone, to let the cup pass from Him if at all possible. After the third time of intercession, Jesus said to His Father, “Nevertheless, not my will but thine be done.” Immediately after rejoining His disciples, the soldiers came to arrest Him, and Judas betrayed Him with a kiss. But Jesus went with them willingly to do the Father’s will. He had won the victory in the Garden, for He had been strengthened by the table that was prepared for Him.

Each of the disciples was also in need of strengthening by partaking of the Passover lamb, the life and blood of Jesus symbolically at that table to prepare them for the battle they didn’t even know they would soon be facing. After Jesus was arrested, they would be in fear of their own lives too. They did not yet know the victory of the resurrection. Even Judas was given an opportunity to partake of the wine and the bread at that table as Jesus passed it around. Did the disciples have to be worthy to partake of the Passover meal? No! It was the lamb that had to be worthy. The Lamb had to be perfect, without blemish or spot. None of us are worthy of that sacrifice that Jesus made for us but His blood makes us worthy. As Christians we do not observe Passover. Instead, we partake of communion in remembrance of the Lord’s death, but also to celebrate His resurrection and second coming. This was explained to us by the apostle Paul in I Cor. 11:23-26 as it had been revealed to him: “For I have received of the Lord that which I also delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lords death till he come.” He could not be coming back for us if He had not risen from the dead. Each time we partake of communion we remember not only that He died for us but that we live because He lives and that He is coming back. We are strengthened as we feed upon the Bread of Life that was broken for us. Everyday we face our spiritual enemy, Satan, so we must also feast on the Bread everyday by reading the scripture, thus eating from our table that our Shepherd has prepared for us in the presence of our enemies.