APRIL 17 | LUKE 22:1-27
- Judy Webb
- Apr 17, 2025
- 2 min read
DAILY READING
REFLECTION
The Perfectly Balanced Meal
by Judy Webb
“They went off to the city and found everything just as Jesus had said…” (Luke 22:13 NLT)
After reading the text for today and asking the Holy Spirit for inspiration, I read the verse above with new eyes. It was as if a yellow highlighter marked the verse in bold color! Of course, this makes perfect sense now. After three years walking with the Disciples, teaching them, living life with them and loving them, He instructs them one more time to follow His commands which led them to this place, and their final meal together.
Then, Jesus’ words in verse 21 changes everything. “But here at this table, sitting among us as a friend, is the man who will betray me.” (NLT). And then there were 11. Can you imagine the shock and pain these words held? Certainly, Jesus felt pain uttering them, and those 11 who were innocent may have wondered who it could be. For a moment, some maybe even questioned if they could be that person.
“…how terrible it will be for the person who betrays Him. It would be far better for that man if he had never been born!” (Matthew 26:24 NLT)
The Last Supper, is an exciting meal. We need food to live and we need Jesus to provide Salvation and eternal life. This last supper was a much-needed nourishment and a step necessary to our redemption. Jesus’ suffering and death is our path to ultimate freedom from lasting death.
When we take part in Holy Communion, we remember that first taste of deliverance and we receive renewed fellowship with Jesus. Let’s revisit verse 13 in closing. “They went off to the city and found everything just as Jesus had said…” (Luke 22:13 NLT)
Jesus taught his followers so much in the years they followed Him. He was preparing them for “such a time as this.” Is His word also preparing you and me for tomorrow? His Word is truth and we will find “everything just as Jesus said.” So let us dig in to this perfect meal and let it fill us up.
PRAYER
Dear Heavenly Father,
Remind us daily of your unending love for us. Never let us stray from the belief that you died for us, for our sins, and that you are waiting for us to join you in eternity. What a day that will be!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
JUDY WEBB
I have been a member of UALC for 26 years and have been writing devotions for this site for about 17 of them. Writing is my passion. As retired staff I still love everything about UALC and its members including my small group.
Beautiful message!