WordLive - Year OneSample

Prepare: Have you ever had to tell someone bad news? How did you go about it? Dark forces I wonder how much the disciples were aware of the dark forces at play around Jesus’ last hours. The directions Jesus gave his disciples for the preparation of the Passover meal seemed to be routine enough. Where to go, who to see and what to say. It all went without a hitch (vs 13–16). But then at the meal table, Jesus dropped a bombshell. There’s a betrayer in their midst (vs 17,18). Notice the emotion. Sadness (v 19)! Not anger, nor real surprise. Their protestations (v 19) almost imply that they all thought themselves capable of it, but hoped when the moment came, and it surely would, that they would stand firm. The final act They were troubled, but Jesus remained calm. After all, he was about to fulfil his purpose in coming, so graphically and deliberately symbolised in breaking bread and sharing wine (vs 22–25). It all had a sound of finality about it, but if they didn’t know what was going on, Jesus certainly did. The final act was nigh. The cross beckoned, and with it the healing of the world. Time to go (v 26)! Respond: The calmness of Jesus in this story always gives me confidence in dark times. There is a strength here that helps me to know that God is in control. What challenges do you face today that need that sort of calm assurance? Try to recall this story in those moments. http://www.wordlive.org/Session/Classic/2012-03-27