out of the ordinary | the waters

God frequently works through the ordinary. Through them he shares something of his love for us and reveals elements of his redemption plan. In this devotional series we look at some of the ordinary things Jesus would have encountered as he journeyed towards the cross. Over the next few days we are looking at all things liquid! Holy Spirit, will you reveal something extraordinary through each of them. Amen.

After supper he took another cup of wine and said, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you. Luke 22.20, NLT

One of the significant things Jesus does at the Last Supper is to point us to the wine he is about to drink. He uses a symbolic gesture to tell us he will pour out his own blood to deal with the sins of all humankind and establish an entirely new covenant.

It helps to remember Jesus shared wine with his friends but also the man who would betray him. Yet the new covenant is for all of them. There isn’t a single person who has or ever will live whose sin was not accounted for on the cross. The new agreement is available to everyone - they just have to know it’s theirs and be willing to accept its terms.

I don’t know how I would have behaved on the days leading to the crucifixion. I want to think I’d be like John and the female disciples, standing with Jesus through the long, agonising hours. But I might have behaved like Peter, afraid of the consequences of being known as Jesus' friend. Or Judas, misguided, greedy, pushing my own agenda. Either way, Jesus still died for me.

We don’t know how other people will respond in the long term to Jesus, but it strikes me the choice is taken from them if no-one tells them there’s a new covenant to be had. So, I’m asking the Father for an opportunity to tell someone about Jesus today. What about you?

Let's pray
Thank you, Father, that you are not slow in keeping your promise but patient, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. Thank you that you have made me an ambassador for Christ. Send me to those people who need to hear good news today and make me bold to share it! In Jesus' name. Amen.