THE SEND: Luke & ActsSample

How would you choose to spend your final few days on Earth?

I don’t know about you, but I feel so provoked as I read about what Jesus prioritizes in his final hours with his disciples. He wants them to have great clarity about what it means to follow him.

Following Jesus leads you to a life of intimacy with God

There are many ways in which Jesus could have called us to remember the new covenant. But he chose to give his followers a meal to remember him and his sacrifice. Bread and wine. His body and his blood.

But notice that this meal wasn’t just something Jesus gave to his disciples, it was something he shared with them, as his friends (Luke 22:21). He doesn’t invite us to follow him at a distance but to come close—to sit at the table with him and feast.

And it’s no coincidence that this meal happens on the day the Passover lamb was sacrificed. If you look back at Exodus 12, you’ll see that when God brought his people (Israel) into freedom and belonging under the old covenant, he also wanted them to remember it through a meal.

Under the new covenant, we receive freedom and experience belonging because of the sacrifice of an even better lamb—Jesus.

But, following Jesus isn’t always easy

When Jesus is preparing his disciples for his departure, he doesn’t sugarcoat it. In Luke 21, he warns them about persecution and the chaos that will follow. Some of the verses in this chapter might feel hard to understand at first, but Jesus’ instructions to his disciples are actually very clear. Here are a few: Don’t panic (Luke 21:9). Tell people about me (Luke 21:13). Don’t worry about what to say because I will give you the right words (Luke 21:14-15). Stand firm (Luke 21:19). Don’t let your heart grow numb (Luke 21:34). Stay alert (Luke 21:35-36). Pray for strength (Luke 21:36).

I wonder what it would have been like for Peter if he had followed Jesus’ teaching? Maybe he would have stayed alert and in prayer rather than falling asleep (Luke 22:45)? Maybe he would have had the courage to speak up, instead of denying that he even knew Jesus (Luke 22:54-62)?

Following Jesus is about following his example

Peter didn’t just need more willpower—he needed to follow Jesus’ example. Jesus only calls his followers to the life of being a servant (Luke 22:26) because he himself was the greatest servant.

In the next chapter, he goes to the cross and willingly drinks the “cup of suffering” (Luke 22:42). Why? Because he wants God’s will to be done. Because he wants us to be freed from slavery. Because he wants us to become God’s children. Look at how Jesus the servant, lays down his life.

How will you follow him today? Will you come close to him at the table? Stand firm in challenge? Serve like he served?

Ask the Holy Spirit to help you follow Jesus’ example.