The Mirror of Grace
By Dean Collins
Have you had that moment when you are in a gathering of fellow believers, and the one giving the message makes a point and you suddenly believe that the pastor/teacher is talking about you? Maybe you wonder, “How did he know?” It is very likely he didn’t, but the Holy Spirit brought a moment of clarity to you about an attitude or past or present action that needs to be changed.
What is true in those moments is that we suddenly realize that God’s word is living and active and can bring aspects of our lives to our attention so that we can repent and be forgiven. God uses worship, prayer, Bible reading, the preaching of his word, and Christian community to correct us, inspire us, and send us back to places where we can serve in his kingdom.
In Luke 22, we watch as the disciples have an experience with the Lord that is in some ways shocking but in other ways encouraging. Luke tells us that it was the Passover meal and Jesus shared:
“I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves. For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 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.” And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.” (22:15-20)
Imagine the emotions of the disciples as Jesus took them deeper into understanding that things would soon be very different. What happened next raised the level of concern in the group. Jesus announced that the hand of his betrayer was at the table, and suddenly there was shock and fear. Shock that one of the 12 would betray their rabbi and concern that they might be the one. Judas of course knew he was the one, but apparently some had concerns that they might have or would soon betray the Lord.
But things got worse. In the middle of wondering which one was a betrayer, an argument broke out about who was the most spiritual and therefore the “greatest.” The mood went from a question of “is it me” being the worst person in the room to an arrogance that assumed that they might be the best person in the room. And all this arguing in the middle of their last meal with Jesus.
So, what is encouraging about this scene? If we are honest, we can easily see ourselves in this story. Maybe we have seen ourselves way too often in this story. We know what others don’t know about us. We know that we are deeply flawed and have acted in ways that betray our confession, both by what we have said or not said, and by times when we have seen ourselves as better than others.
The beauty and power of the gospel is that no matter what we have done, no matter how many times we have acted with arrogance or been deceitful in our actions, Jesus still reaches his arms out toward us and forgives, corrects, and allows us to be a part of his family.
Father, we come today confessing our sins. Holy Spirit, transform our minds and hearts, that we might humbly receive Jesus and live in humble obedience to Jesus with our words and deeds today. We marvel at your amazing grace. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Your Time with God’s Word
Luke 22:21-27 ESV
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