Luke 22:24–27 And the least shall be greatest in His Kingdom

Jesus came to serve those whom He created. 

No greater love exists.

God is so compassionate towards us. He knows that we are mere humans unable to understand the depth of His mercy and agape love for us.

God hates pride and arrogance.

Micah 6:8

8 He has shown you, O man, what is good; 

And what does the Lord require of you 

But to do justly, 

To love mercy, 

And to walk humbly with your God?

“The mind can go in a thousand directions, but on this beautiful path, I walk in peace. With each step, the wind blows. With each step, a flower blooms.” Thich Nhat Hanh

Luke 22:24–27

24 Now there was also a dispute among them, as to which of them should be considered the greatest. 25 And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called ‘benefactors.’ 26 But not so among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves. 27 For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the One who serves. The New King James Version

The disciples’ argument about who is the greatest emerges from their puzzlement over who might betray Jesus (Luke 22:23). Jesus gently rebukes them, explaining their future role in His kingdom.

Jesus provides a vivid example of humble service. Faithlife Study Bible

“The greatest”, note the sad irony in this verse. While Jesus faced the reality of being betrayed and killed, His disciples argued about which of them was greatest. 

Leadership in the church does not exalt; it serves. It shows respect to others, as a young person would show respect to an elder. True leaders labor for others, as a servant would. In short, the Lord’s view of greatness is the exact opposite of the world’s view. The NKJV Study Bible

If believers were left to themselves, they would fall; but they are kept by the power of God, and the prayer of Christ. Our Lord gave notice of a very great change of circumstances now approaching. At the time the apostles understood Christ to mean real weapons, but he spake only of the weapons of the spiritual warfare. The sword of the Spirit is the sword with which the disciples of Christ must furnish themselves. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Matthew 20:24–28 And when the ten heard it, they were greatly displeased with the two brothers. But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them…

Mark 9:34–35 But they kept silent, for on the road they had disputed among themselves who would be the greatest. And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.”

John 13:1–17 Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray Him…

Vacation with family in NC blessings

 Taking a much needed family vacation with 4 of us siblings, our children and grandchildren and a great-grandchild. God has blessed our family so very much!!!!!

Matthew 26:20–25 betrayal

The ultimate betrayal  comes  from someone who professes to love us.

Judas knew that he would betray Jesus. He did it anyway.

Hebrews 10:23 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

We can hold fast to our faith because God is faithful. And we can show our love for others because of our love for Him. Joy in the Lord is our strength.

Encouraging one another and doing good works strengthens  our faith here on earth. Using our talents and gifts for others honors God. We should assemble together with believers who share our beliefs. 

Hebrews 6:4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.

For it is near impossible for those who were once enlightened and made partakers of Holy Spirit if they fall away and scorn the sacrifice of Jesus Christ to return to grace. after we receive the truth if we  go back to  legalism it is near impossible to return to grace. We cannot earn our salvation.  Jesus is the compete and perfect sacrifice there is no other way to the Father. There was no mercy in the letter of the law. There is freedom in Jesus Christ. Those who He sets free are meant to be free forever in God’s mercy and grace.

1 John 3:1 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. 2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

What agape love the Father has bestowed on us that we should be called the sons of God.

Philippians 3:20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.

We are here to be the hands and feet of Christ on earth while awaiting His return.

Proverbs 13:13 (ESV) "Whoever despises the word brings destruction on himself, but he who reveres the commandment will be rewarded." It all goes back to what Jesus said: "If you love me, you will keep my commandments" (John 14:15). Though He knew no sin, Jesus became sin and died on the cross so we could receive the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21). God's correction is always meant to lead us to this gospel Truth. 

“We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.” (Thornton Wilder)

Our gracious and loving God,
we thank you that you have been touching our lives:
illuminating us;
opening us at deep levels of our being;
stretching us at points of our narrowness;
confronting us where we are distorted;
challenging us to become the word you speak us forth to be;
but in every way working in all for your good purposes in our lives.
Amen. Robert Mulholland Jr. 

Matthew 26:20–25

20 When evening had come, He sat down with the twelve. 21 Now as they were eating, He said, “Assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.” 22 And they were exceedingly sorrowful, and each of them began to say to Him, “Lord, is it I?” 23 He answered and said, “He who dipped his hand with Me in the dish will betray Me. 24 The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.” 25 Then Judas, who was betraying Him, answered and said, “Rabbi, is it I?” He said to him, “You have said it.” The New King James Version

Judas’ query differs from that of the other disciples. Throughout Matthew’s Gospel, only those who show faith in Jesus call him “Lord.” Rabbi. Jesus confirms that Judas is the betrayer. Faithlife Study Bible

“One of you will betray Me” indicates the Lord’s omniscience. 

Repeatedly—in submission to the Father—Christ unveiled evidences of His deity to His disciples. The disciples had already heard that Jesus was going to die in Jerusalem, but His revelation of betrayal was new. Is it I expects a negative response. The meaning is “I’m not the one, am I?”. The NKJV Study Bible

We know not how strongly we may be tempted, nor how far God may leave us to ourselves, therefore we have reason not to be high-minded, but to fear. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

John 13:18–26 “I do not speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen; but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He who eats bread with Me has lifted up his heel against Me.’ Now I tell you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe that I am He…

Luke 22:21–23 But behold, the hand of My betrayer is with Me on the table. And truly the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!”…

Mark 14:17–21 In the evening He came with the twelve. Now as they sat and ate, Jesus said, “Assuredly, I say to you, one of you who eats with Me will betray Me.”…

Mark 9:12 Then He answered and told them, “Indeed, Elijah is coming first and restores all things. And how is it written concerning the Son of Man, that He must suffer many things and be treated with contempt?

Luke 24:25–27 Then He said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?”…

Colossians 1:15-18 Christ the firstborn over all creation

John 1:1–3 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God…

We are reconciled in Christ

Acts 26:23 that the Christ would suffer, that He would be the first to rise from the dead, and would proclaim light to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles.”

Hebrews 10:19 19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and having a High Priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

Having boldness, without reservation, we can enter into the holiest of holies by the blood of Jesus to receive mercy and grace. Our prayers reach the Father. The veil that separated us from Him was rent from the top to the bottom.  In Jesus we have a high priest who loves us and gave His life for us. We can draw near with a true heart and full assurance of faith. 

The blood of Christ has washed us clean from the evils of this world. Our bodies are the temples of Holy Spirit. 

Ephesians 1:13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.

We trust in the truth of Jesus Christ. The moment we believe our souls were sealed with Holy Spirit of promise. He is the down payment until the redemption of the purchased body we live in.

Romans 8:20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; 21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. 23 Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.

This present time is not to be compared to the glory of the manifestation of the sons of God. Before Adam sinned God knowing all things put the plan of redemption into place. We will be delivered from the corruption of death and the redemption of our bodies.

Christ was made sin, He that knew no sin, that the world through Him could be saved. God’s love is beyond human understanding. Faith is abiding in the truth of God’s word. 

Proverbs 12:12, "The root of the righteous bears fruit." The Hebrew word for "root" in these two verses, seres, communicates the idea of a tree whose roots provide firmness and permanence. The same word is used in Jeremiah 17:7-8 to describe those who trust in the Lord and put their confidence in Him. Like those of a tree planted by the water, our spiritual roots are strengthened by God's Word, which provides the nourishment we need (Psalm 1:1-6).

As Jesus would later tell His disciples in John 10:10, the thief comes to steal, kill and destroy, but Jesus has come to give abundant life to all who believe in Him. This abundance can include earthly blessings like financial provision, physical protection and health, but it primarily refers to spiritual blessings like love, joy and peace as well as the promise of eternity with Jesus no matter what trials we experience on earth (John 16:33).

And as we stand firm on the foundation of faith in God, our lives rooted in Him become legacies of His faithfulness, producing fruit for generations to come (Proverbs 12:12). 

Morning has broken like the first morning
Blackbird has spoken like the first bird
Praise for the singing, praise for the morning
Praise for them springing fresh from the Word
Sweet the rain's new fall, sunlit from Heaven
Like the first dew fall on the first grass
Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden
Sprung in completeness where His feet pass
Mine is the sunlight, mine is the morning
Born of the One Light Eden saw play
Praise with elation, praise every morning
God's recreation of the new day
Morning has broken like the first morning
Blackbird has spoken like the first bird
Praise for the singing, praise for the morning
Praise for them springing fresh from the Word

Music here -- Morning has broken – Cat Stevens

"Morning Has Broken" is a Christian hymn first published in 1931. It has words by English author Eleanor Farjeon and was inspired by the village of Alfriston in East Sussex, then set to a traditional Scottish Gaelic tune, "Bunessan".“SabbathMoments”

As dads, we accelerate or stifle, release or repress our children’s giftedness. They will spend much of life benefitting or recovering from our influence. But remember, our kids were God’s kids first. We tend to forget this fact, regarding our children as “our children,” as though we have the final say in their health and future. But we don’t. Wise are the parents who regularly give their children back to God. In the right time and the right way, God will give your child back to you.  Max Lucado

Colossians 1:15-18

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. The New King James Version

Jesus Christ makes the Father and the Spirit visible to people. Paul later draws on the notion of resembling God when writing about how people should treat one another. 

Jesus as the Image of God in this context, the Greek word used here, prōtotokos, affirms Christ’s supremacy and sovereignty over all things. In its old testament context, prōtotokos refers primarily to preeminent status, as the Israelites recognized the firstborn son to have special privileges. 

Firstborn could denote a priority in time or in rank. The word does not describe Christ as the first being created in time because the hymn proclaims that all things were “created by Him” and that “He is before all things.” Jesus is the eternal One who was before all creation. 

The idea of firstborn in the Hebrew culture did not require that one be the first son born. This was not the case with either Isaac or Jacob. But they were the firstborn in the sense that they were rightful heirs to the line of their fathers. Being firstborn referred more to rank and privilege than to order of birth. 

Since Christ is God, He is supreme in rank over all creation. Yet He is not only the transcendent deity who created us; He is the One who died on our behalf and was subsequently raised from dead. Thus He is also the firstborn from the dead. The first One who experienced the true resurrection. This emphasizes the superiority of Christ over all creation. Christ is the One who created all things, whether they be material or immaterial, seen or unseen. All things were created through Him and for Him: Not only did Jesus create all things; everything was created for His purposes where Christ is said to be the “heir of all things”. But the glory of the earth, the heavens, or the sun, moon, and stars cannot be compared with the glory of His new creation. 

Following the celebration of Christ’s authority over all creation, this early Christian hymn proceeds to proclaim His authority over the church. He is the head of His own body, which is the church. No one should underestimate the significance of the church, for it is in fact Christ’s body. The sovereign Creator of the universe, as Head of the church, provides leadership and oversight over it. No wonder He is so jealous for it. 

Christ was the first to be raised from the dead. His own resurrection guarantees that the church will one day be resurrected. The NKJV Study Bible

In some cases, the special status of the firstborn was applied to a son who was not born first. For example, Isaac was not Abraham’s first son, yet he inherited blessings that indicate that he was treated as the firstborn. Jacob bought the birthright from Esau and swindled for the blessing, as well. When Jacob blessed the sons of Joseph, he transferred the blessing of the firstborn son, Manasseh, to his younger brother, Ephraim. 

Firstborn of All Creation these terms refer to earthly creatures and spiritual beings. There is nothing outside the scope of Christ’s sovereignty. Since all things—natural and supernatural—were created through Him, they are subject to His authority. 

The head indicates Christ’s leadership of the Church. His authority and empowerment enable the body of Christ to grow and mature. Head of the Body, the Church, the Greek word used here, ekklēsia, refers to an assembly of people. In Christian contexts, it describes the people who assemble in the name of Christ. Ekklēsia refers to Jesus’ resurrection, which Paul regards as a template for the resurrection of all believers. Faithlife Study Bible

Ephesians 1:20–23 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come…

Romans 11:36 For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.

Revelation 3:14 “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write,‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: