"Live in Anticipation of His Second Coming"(Luke 22:14-18)

May 12, 2019 Live in Anticipation of His Second Coming 

Luke 22:14-18

Christians all over the world partake in holy communion. Today Pastor Donald explains how communion is introduced by Jesus to us.

In Luke 22, we read that as Jesus is coming towards the end of His time on Earth, He and others are preparing for the Passover meal. Jesus tells his disciples that He desires to celebrate with His disciples the Passover and He will suffer. Desire is used to describe something that Jesus has been waiting for a long time. 

We know that the Passover celebration commemorates God's divine redemption of the Israelites from the captivity in Egypt. The Israelites could not free themselves from Egypt or even accomplish the punishing tasks inflicted on them by Pharaoh. But God is faithful and keeps His promises.

And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." 

Genesis 12:2‭-‬3 ESV 

We know in Exodus, the Israelites are spared death by following God's command to put lamb's blood on their doorposts so the Angel of Death would Passover their homes. Very soon afterwards the Israelites left Egypt to go to the promised land, but because of unfaithfulness and disobedience it took much longer and many died in the desert. The Passover was not the redemption but the beginning of redemption. It was not the fulfillment of the promise of the God but a part of the process. 

When Adam sinned in Genesis, humans suffered because of his sin. But at the appointed time, Jesus came on the scene to save us. The Passover is a divine redemption of the Israelites. Jesus states that this is His time to enter and redeem us. 

but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 

Romans 5:8 ESV 

and

Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned— 

Romans 5:12 ESV 

Those who partake the communion have not completed the redemption. This is is still a process. We need the Holy Spirit and need to reflect on what Jesus has done for us and how much we continually need Him. There will be many challenges during our journey and therefore we need His spirit to help us to make the right decisions and be aligned with His will. Let us live anticipating His second coming. If we lose focus, we will be led astray. 

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." 

John 16:33 ESV 

Many of the children of Israel fell and died horribly in the desert while wondering to the promised land. We too need to be careful and keep our focus on the promise. Jesus promises that he will take us to heaven. There are many temptations and tribulations in the world. We cannot lose hope, but we must move on. this is not our permanent home.  

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. 

John 14:3 ESV