Sue O’Donnell. 22.08.20
“ ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb’.” (Revelation 19 v 9)
We experience God’s kingdom upon earth
To the extent that we experience the Lord Jesus,
His friendship, His teaching, His leading, His healing,
And His ever loving, holy company.
To help us with this, Jesus left us the Eucharist.
“Blessed be His most sacred heart. Blessed be His most Precious Blood. Blessed be Jesus in the most holy sacrament of the altar.” (The Divine Praises)
In coming to Jesus, at the altar where He waits for us,
We should learn no longer to sinfulness falter.
Because we experience the mercy of our Father’s forgiveness,
Shown us in the loving company of the Lord Jesus,
No more should satan ride rough shod over us disturbing and diverting us. “A (wo)man is justified by works, and not by faith only...faith without works is dead.” (James 2 v 24, 26)
We have been united with the sacred heart of Jesus.
What a profound benefit, what a real blessing!
We have become subject to the King of Glory.
Salvation is now our story, the blessing of forgiveness.
We rejoice in a new life shaped by the love of Jesus in His service.
“For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1 v 21)
“Let my conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ...that I stand fast on one spirit, with one mind striving together (with other believers) for the faith of the gospel.” (based on Philippians 1 v 27)
Dearest Father, only yesterday You showed me that the Marriage Supper of the Lamb is the fellowship of the Lord Jesus, a foretaste of the eternal blessedness as instituted for us by the Lord Jesus.
At the Last Supper He consecrated the first Holy Eucharist to nourish and sustain us for His kingdom work here on earth and to prepare us in His service of love, for our eternal destiny.
Thank You, I praise You, I delight to realise this and wonder why I never understood the full meaning of this phrase before? I can see this as the work of the Holy Spirit, the Illuminator and I am so grateful.
I believe through my own experience of the joy of receiving the Lord Jesus as the King of Glory, the Lord of life, with us in an unique way in the blessings of the Holy Eucharist, I am richly blessed.
May “Grace, mercy and peace be with us from You, God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, in truth and love,” (based on John 2 v 3) for this is how we become the Lord’s co-workers.
“He who is mighty has done great things for me and holy is His name. And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation.” (Luke 1 v 49, 50) This has ever been so, ever will be if we become partakers of the Lord Jesus.
What strength of hope is gifted us, what peace in our re-established relationship with You, dearest Father, what joy we find in Christian service, all because the risen and glorified Saviour has sent His Spirit to us, the Spirit of faith.
In receipt of Your Son and Your Spirit, we can achieve all manner of tasks not possible for us to accomplish previously. For Father, You have “Filled the hungry with good things...” (Luke 1 v 53) thank You.
These good things are the countless good works undertaken in the name of Jesus, works of compassion, love and mercy, as the love of Jesus shines through our Spirit led undertakings.
When Jesus expressed to His disciples concern at the large crowds gathering without provision, “ ‘You give them something to eat’,” (Luke 9 v 13) this has significant implications. Whatever it is we give in love, the
Lord Jesus will bless and multiply, we learn.
“He took the five loaves and the two fish” which were the disciples’ response “And looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke them” (Luke 9 v 16) just as He was always to do in the supper of Holy Eucharist.
“So they all ate and were filled, and twelve baskets of the leftover fragments were taken up by them.” (v 17) What a far more than ample sufficiency, just as we are fed on holy Bread and Wine transubstantiated.
How wondrous this is, truly most marvellous, thank You. How could we ever doubt that miracles happen even today, when freely we can receive of the Body and Blood of the Lord Jesus, as the Spirit makes present in the Holy Eucharist.
Jesus as King, establishes and asks us to extend the benevolent rule of His kingdom on earth, combatting demon power which sets out to divert and destroy us. We have a Champion in the Victor of the †, Christ Jesus.
The ministry of help and healing, of saving from sin and satan which our Lord and Saviour began, is ours to continue as we endeavour to spread the gospel message of salvation, and the hope, peace and joy thereby
given.
May the teachings and example the Lord Jesus sets before us be the seed which “ ‘Fell on good ground, sprang up, and yielded a crop a hundredfold,” (Luke 8 v 8) as we expect victory over all the powers of
darkness.
Let please the Holy Spirit be most active in and amongst us as we are assigned as authorised representatives of our Lord until He returns. “ ‘Do business till I come’,” (Luke 19 v 13) we are bid.
Thank You that filled by the love of the Lord Jesus, emulating His life of service to all others, it is Your pleasure dearest Father, Lord God, to supply us with that peace and power which is holy.
“ ‘Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom’.” (Luke 12 v 32) But this will happen only when we make the service of the Lord Jesus our life’s focus, “ ‘For where Your treasure is, there your heart will be also’,” (v 34) we are taught.
Oh what a tremendous amount we have to gain or lose according to whether or not we devote our life to Jesus. Dominion over all that is evil has been given us, thank You. But we must labour on.
I ask for the Spirit’s help for us to ever receive and apply the authority of holy love as we pray and work, especially with regard to the Holy Eucharist so that the Lord Jesus is alive in us.
May our personal ministry be of very good service, whatever we do in the name of the Lord Jesus, being done well for we are wholehearted when touched by the Spirit of love.
Surely life is meant to be when under the authority of the Master, as it was formerly? “He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick,” (Luke 9 v 2) as it is Jesus Himself who is our Healer.
“He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing.” (Luke 9 v 11) How magnanimous is this love You offer us, Lord God, by means of Your beloved Son.
As the Holy Spirit touches our hearts and minds, please help us to broadcast the gospel and its life giving, life enhancing outcome as best we each can, according to our circumstances.
“ ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel’.” (Mark 1 v 15) May this happen as the Lord Jesus came not to set up a church, but a kingdom where love reigns.
May we then, strengthened and supported in faith through the sacred Scriptures, prayer and the sacraments, notably the Holy Eucharist, may we be ardent followers of the Lord Jesus, meeting with success as we call on the Spirit of holiness.
Father God, hear our prayer and answer us that we “ ‘Seek first the kingdom of God’,” as set up by the Lord Jesus, intent upon His “ ‘Righteousness’,” becoming ascribed to us, for then “ ‘All these things shall be added...’,” (Matthew 6 v 33) that which is materially necessary, coming to us out of Your steadfast, faithful, all loving kindness.
Oh how profound is this love which we receive directly from the Lord Jesus’ love for us, the Holy Eucharist re-presenting His sacrificial victory at the †, that love calling out to us.
“Christ is the faithful Son over the entire household, and we form that household, as we continue to live as the people of courageous faith, who have a wonderful future of which we can rightly boast!” (Hebrews 3 v 6 The Truth)
All thanks, all praise, all glory ever, ever be as we devote to our Lord, Saviour and Master and commit to working hard in His service. Amen.
Images by Artist Christine Garwood
http://www.christinegarwoodartist.co.uk/
Season
Key Themes
EUCHARIST
SERVICE
