Key Thought

Today's Prayer

Father, may I never, ever outlive my love and loyalty to you and your Son. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Today's Verses in Context

It was now the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread. This was the day when the Jews killed the lambs for the Passover. Jesus' followers came to him. They said, "We will go and prepare everything for you to eat the Passover meal. Where do you want us to have the meal?" Jesus sent two of his followers into the city. Jesus said to them, "Go into the city. You will see a man carrying a jar of water. The man will come to you. Follow that man. That man will walk into a house. Tell the person who owns the house, 'The Teacher asks that you show us the room where he and his followers can eat the Passover meal.' The owner will show you a large room upstairs. This room is ready for you. Prepare the food for us there." So the followers left and went into the city. Everything happened the way Jesus said. So the followers prepared the Passover meal. In the evening, Jesus went to that house with the twelve apostles. While they were all at the table eating, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth. One of you will be against me—one of you eating with me now." The followers were very sad to hear this. Each follower said to Jesus, "Surely I will not be against you!" Jesus answered, "The man who is against me is one of you twelve. He is the one who dips his bread into the same bowl with me. The Son of Man will go {and die}. The Scriptures say this will happen. But it will be very bad for the person who gives the Son of Man {to be killed}. It would be better for that person if he were never born." While they were eating, Jesus took some bread. Jesus thanked God for the bread and divided it. He gave the bread to his followers. Jesus said, "Take this bread {and eat it}. This bread is my body." Then Jesus took a cup of wine. He thanked God for it and gave it to the followers. All the followers drank from the cup. Then Jesus said, "This wine is my blood. My blood (death) begins the new agreement {from God to his people}. This blood is given for many people. I tell you the truth. I willnot drink this wine again until that day when I drink it in the kingdom of God and the wine is new." All the followers sang a song. Then they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Related Scripture Readings

The Jewish leaders answered, "We have a law that says he must die, because he said that he is the Son of God." When Pilate heard this, he was more afraid. Pilate went back inside the palace. He asked Jesus, "Where are you from?" But Jesus did not answer him. Pilate said, "You refuse to speak to me? Remember, I have the power to make you free. I also have the power to kill you on a cross." Jesus answered, "The only power you have over me is the power given to you by God. So the man who gave me to you is guilty of a greater sin."

This teaching is true: If we died with him (Jesus), then we will also live with him. If we accept suffering, then we will also rule with him. If we refuse to accept him, then he will refuse to accept us. If we are not faithful, he will still be faithful, because he cannot be false to himself.

The people that live now are living in a sinful and evil time. If any person is ashamed of me and my teaching, then I will be ashamed of that person. I will be ashamed of that person at the time I come with the glory of my Father and the holy angels."