Bible Reading
Luke 22:1-23:
1Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover.
2And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people.
3Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.
4And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them.
5And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money.
6And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude.
7Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed.
8And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat.
9And they said unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare?
10And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in.
11And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples?
12And he shall shew you a large upper room furnished: there make ready.
13And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.
14And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him.
15And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:
16For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.
17And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves:
18For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.
19And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.
20Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.
21But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table.
22And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed!
23And they began to enquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing.
Devotional
The Son of man went voluntarily to His betrayal and death, which had been determined in the eternal plan of God. He did not use His power to deliver Himself. He did not call forth legions of angels to destroy Judas and all His enemies. Submissively and willingly, He walked the path of suffering and death; He experienced the depths of humiliation. He endured the wrath of God for His people's sins; He satisfied the divine justice by His perfect sacrifice. He washed His people from their sins in His own blood. He had come into the world to save His people from their sins-and He followed His purpose to the end.
Those who have been redeemed, not with corruptible things as silver and gold but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a Iamb without blemish and without spot, should long for a thousand tongues to sing their great Redeemer's praise. It should be their fixed and unshakable purpose to praise Him and to serve Him to the end. All their lives they should endeavor to live as those who have been bought with a price, to be true, thankful, and unwavering representatives before men of their glorious God and King, who loved them to the end.
Welcome to "Think on These Things," a twelve-week daily devotional prepared by the late Dr. John H. Skilton, an ordained minister in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church and for many years Chairman of the New Testament Department at Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia.
We are indebted to P & R Publishing and Skilton House Ministries for permission to use this copyrighted material on the OPC Web site. (P & R held the copyright from 1975 to 2005, at which time they reassigned the copyright to Skilton House.)
