The Whole Story: A Life in God's Kingdom, Part FourSample

Family Devotional:

As we have been engaging with the book of Leviticus, it has been evident that the sacrificial system was a massive part of the Old Testament lifestyle. This system was not set up so that God’s people would have to work to get God’s affirmation. Sacrifices were meant to be a means by which God’s people could recognize their sin, answer for them, and refocus their allegiance to YHWH. Over time, though Israel continued to make sacrifices, the “why behind the what” of the system began to fade into the background. The sacrificial system with no relational connection became dry and lacking in obedience.

Daily Demonstration:

On this fifth day of the week leading to Jesus’ crucifixion, Jesus and the disciples partake in the Passover meal, the Lord’s Supper is instituted, and Judas turns Jesus over to the Sanhedrin (see John 13:1-30). The Thursday before Resurrection Sunday is known as “Maundy (or “mandate,” in Greek) Thursday” because Jesus commanded his disciples to follow his example of servanthood. These acts included remembering and honoring the actions of God in the past, as demonstrated in the Lord’s Supper. Similar to our reading in Jeremiah, we must continue to obey the mandates of Christ, keep our faith secure, remember “why” we do ministry, and focus our attention on YHWH. How can you serve someone today? How can you use this opportunity as a time of reflection of God’s goodness?

Additional Resources:

• Celebration Church, Online Resources, The Table: A Passover Dinner Guide
• Seven Minute Seminary, YouTube, Seedbed, Ruth Anne Reese, Theology of Communion
• Seven Minute Seminary, YouTube, Seedbed, Robert Stamps, The Message of Communion