Thursday – The Last Supper
Luke 22:14-23
Several years ago, I read the book, “One Thousand Gifts”, which led me to a challenge to list the blessings in my life. I started with a dollar store journal turning it into my daily list of things for which I was grateful. I took the time to notice small and large gifts, as well as good and bad. It was life-changing! What does that have to do with the Last Supper?
Luke 22:14-23 is the story of Jesus and His disciples eating the Passover meal together. We’ve heard and read the familiar words, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” and “This is my blood which is poured out for you.” There is a very interesting phrase in that passage, “After taking the cup, He GAVE THANKS.” That phrase can be translated into the Greek word Eucharisteo which means—to be grateful, to feel thankful, to give thanks.
WAIT! Was Jesus thanking God for His body that in less than a few hours would be beaten, bloodied, and hung on a cross? Was He thankful for His blood that He was about to shed in a most horrific way?
Let’s look closer at that word Eucharisteo. Right in the middle you will see the root word “charis” which means grace. Jesus regarded His suffering as grace and He gave thanks for it. How can suffering be thought of as grace and be worthy of our thanks? This is when we must look to Jesus as our example to be thankful in ALL things—small, large, good, and bad.
Even in trials, God is still good, and His grace is always sufficient. Sometimes God uses the most painful moments to bring gratitude to our lives through His grace. Jesus gave thanks for His eminent suffering which led ultimately to the gift of salvation for us all. Take some time today to give thanks for His gifts, even the hard things in life, and especially give thanks for His body and blood given for us. Eucharisteo = grace and thanksgiving.
By: Cindy Teel
Luke 22:14-23 is the story of Jesus and His disciples eating the Passover meal together. We’ve heard and read the familiar words, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” and “This is my blood which is poured out for you.” There is a very interesting phrase in that passage, “After taking the cup, He GAVE THANKS.” That phrase can be translated into the Greek word Eucharisteo which means—to be grateful, to feel thankful, to give thanks.
WAIT! Was Jesus thanking God for His body that in less than a few hours would be beaten, bloodied, and hung on a cross? Was He thankful for His blood that He was about to shed in a most horrific way?
Let’s look closer at that word Eucharisteo. Right in the middle you will see the root word “charis” which means grace. Jesus regarded His suffering as grace and He gave thanks for it. How can suffering be thought of as grace and be worthy of our thanks? This is when we must look to Jesus as our example to be thankful in ALL things—small, large, good, and bad.
Even in trials, God is still good, and His grace is always sufficient. Sometimes God uses the most painful moments to bring gratitude to our lives through His grace. Jesus gave thanks for His eminent suffering which led ultimately to the gift of salvation for us all. Take some time today to give thanks for His gifts, even the hard things in life, and especially give thanks for His body and blood given for us. Eucharisteo = grace and thanksgiving.
By: Cindy Teel
