evotion 42
On the day that Jesus was to be sacrificed, He knew the time had come. It was as if He had rehearsed all that should take place on that day, in fact it seemed almost as if He was directing the proceedings. Jesus was the ‘Lamb led to the slaughter’, yet somehow He was also in authority. He even continued to coach his disciples about the kingdom. He showed them that ruling in that kingdom looked like serving, and then instructed them to rule that way. In Luke 22:25-26 Jesus told the disciples, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves.”
What followed was astounding. Jesus told his disciples in verse 29 “And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” Right here Jesus restored God’s mandate to mankind in Genesis 1:26 “and let them rule over all the earth,” which Adam had forfeited to Satan.
In Luke 22:15 Jesus told the disciples, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.” That was fulfilled on the day Jesus rose from the dead when He appeared and met two disciples as they walked and talked about Him. They did not recognize Jesus, but, “When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him,” (Luke 24:30). The kingdom of God had come.
PRAYER OF FAITH: Lord Jesus You restored the kingdom to us. Thank you for Your sacrifice and for Your obedience to fulfill the plan of the Father. We have been ‘slow of heart to believe’ but today, our eyes have been opened to realize that You are with us. We begin to exercise Your influence, Your order and Your authority in our spheres of influence. Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.” AMEN!
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