Do This In Remembrance of ME

Dr. Mike 2024 , , ,

And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”    Luke 22:19

I love this quote by Jesus. HE is reminding his team that HE is offering His physical life in service and sacrifice for them all. HE is going out as the Lamb being sacrificed in atonement of their sins. Like John the Baptist indicated, Jesus is the Lamb of God designated to take away the Sin of the world.

HE is simply asking them that every time they eat the bread to remember HIM.

Yes, we can debate all the various symbolism. The Jewish Passover meal is eaten only once a year. It is to remind the Jewish people of their ancestry. How the eldest son was spared their life by posting blood outside the doorpost. And the story of them fleeing Egypt to escape from slavery. That event is a religious moment. But now under a new covenant Jesus simply changed the objects of focus from a lamb to Himself.

But the impact this Scripture hits home is much more for me. HE is asking us to remember HIM. Not any one act or event. But to remember Jesus the person. Not just for all HE did. But for all HE IS.

When we focus only on one event that Jesus partook, we limit HIM. Why? Because HE is the sum total of everything HE did and didn’t do. Plus yet to do. No one act defines HIM. Everything HE ever does is simply the outcome of WHO HE IS.

So when we drink the wine and eat the bread, what are we to recall about Jesus?

In short order this is the Jesus that I have come to know.

First, HE IS ALIVE. HE is living out the Triune God’s strategic plan for humanity. The hiccup of sin has been displaced. The Holy Spirit is now more active than before.

HE is my Lord, Savior, Hero, Friend, and Brother. HE is not a historical memory. But a very influential person active in life.

Everything HE did was for me. And you. And for every person who ever lived.

HE also did everything to please HIS God and our God. His Father and our Father.

HE is the central-core that communes us all together.

Yes, bread and wine were the staple food items at most Jewish meals in Biblical time. Now Jesus asks us to remember HIM when we partake of these basic food elements. But in our culture and time, most families rarely eat bread and wine at meal time. But we do eat. So now when I pray over a meal, it means more than thanking God for the food. It is a time to reflect on HIM. Who HE IS. Why HE is important for humanity to know. I am most grateful for everything HE has done. Is doing. And yet will do. That HE is coming back to fully restore HIS Kingdom on earth. Also we can share life with HIM now as HE shares HIS life with us. A relationship HE initiated before the foundation of the world.

Isn’t HE One person worthy to remember and invest time with each day? Is it not great HE left us a daily reminder to talk about HIM during meal time? A time when family and friends can share the day’s events with HIM.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

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Maturing Prayer

Dr. Mike 2024 , ,

After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed:

“Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.   (John 17:1-5)

This is one of the few prayers of Jesus recorded in the Bible. This is only the introductory part of a much longer prayer. HE spoke these words with HIS Father before He was taken into government custody. What jumped out to me this time as I read it related to a recent discipleship mentoring session.

The person is a recent convert. He surrendered to Lord Jesus a little over one year ago. He is currently carrying a lot of excess baggage from his previous lifestyle. Our sessions are focused on discussing practical theology and Christian living principles. In each session, I would generally open our meeting in prayer and he would close out.

In hindsight, his prayers have matured over time. In the beginning, the emphasis was on himself. His pain. His hope. His suffering. Currently, his prayers are now also focused on the pain of others. The hope for others. To ease the suffering of others. His mind is now focused on himself and others. This is a good thing. We are moving in a healthy direction.

We are now waiting as the Spirit continues HIS work in him. We are looking for a breakthrough. When his focus will also include glorifying God and seeking HIS Will through the outcome.

You may notice Jesus’ prayer not only addressed his needs and those around him, but also Father God’s. That HIS Will be glorified in the process. Him. Others. God. The maturing prayer addresses all three in the same breath.

Yes, we petition our heavenly Father because we need help. We also realize there are others involved that need HIS help. Plus we desire to support our heavenly Father that HIS purpose and Will is executed in the outcome. So at the end of day, HE is lifted up and manifested. HE is glorified.

God. Others. Me. The desire for a good outcome for all three are included. This is the maturing process of prayer. The heart of a prayer warrior becomes more like their teacher. Their prayer follows the example of Jesus himself.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

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Are You to Judge?

Dr. Mike 2024 , ,

“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.   Matthew 7:1-2

Occasionally, I come across people who believe one is not to judge another. My reply always is why not? What is the basis of your conclusion? Could it be you hear sermon messages sometimes without understanding their full meaning?

When it comes to judging others, most preachers are probably referring to Matthew 7. Here Jesus did say judge not. But that is not the entire context of his statement. He also said that you will be measured by the same standards you judge others by. So if the standard is an imperfect you, than you have a problem. You may be a hypocrite. For do you live up to the same righteous standard you are judging others with?

His overall teaching is when you judge another, you better have the right standard. In fact you are to judge others based on God’s righteousness (James 2:12). But be careful. Are you being a hypocrite and not living up to God’s same standard?

The apostle Paul reminded us in 1 Corinthians 6:1-2 that we will judge angels and the world at the end time. Jesus tells us in John 7:24 to judge others not by their appearance (wealth, status, etc.), but with right standards. In fact, in John 12:47-48 even Jesus said at the end time HE will not judge others. But the words HE is teaching will condemn those who do not live by them. In other words, we will hang ourselves by rebelling against HIS teachings. Our own actions will judge us.

Proverbs 31:9 reminds us to judge defending the rights of the poor and needy. Even the early nation Israel was instructed to show no partiality in judging people. (Lev. 19:15). But humans are prone to evil. In the prophet Micah’s time, judges were taking bribes and corrupting society. (Micah 7:3). Evil needs to be confronted. Without wise judgement, societies will collapse.

What is reassuring about Paul’s statement (1 Corinthians 2:15) that a person in Christ judges all things? Because their discernment follows the lead of the Holy Spirit. They are not concern with people judging them. Their Judge is the Lord. They realize HE will correct them. HE will discipline them. (1 Corinthians 11:32). As stewards of His Kingdom on earth, we live under HIS authority. We need to be mindful that one day God will judge our secrets (Romans 2:16). HE is the final judge. (Isaiah 33:22).

Apostle John wrote in Revelations (5:10) that today’s saints are to reign with Jesus in the new heaven and earth. One function of a leader is making wise decisions. So to refrain from making a judgement call is failing to learn what one will be doing for eternity. Instead, we need to integrate God’s Spirit into all the decisions we make every day. We need to exercise the faith HE has given us. We need to build upon HIS Word. Then we can be train to make wise judgements now in preparation for eternity.

You are now being trained to lead and serve others on behalf of God’s Kingdom. So don’t hesitate to judge others. Instead allow God’s Spirit to lead you. Learn to exercise the fundamental teachings of the Bible. Follow the golden rule.

The real question – are you willing to accept the same standard of judgement that you give? Or do you judge others on a higher standard than you judge yourself? Let Jesus be your standard. Answer to HIM. Allow the Holy Spirit to inspire and encourage you. You will than find your judgements to be wiser and more prudent. In fact, you may even find yourself thinking of starting a new career – as a Judge.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

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