Galatians 5:22 | Steven Parkin

Peace is an inner tranquility and calm of the soul. We can only find this peace in our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave his life to reconcile us with God, producing a reconciliation that brings peace to our human relationships as well. Striving for peace will not come without conflict, but as we seek to walk by the Spirit, we must pursue peace with others as far as it depends on us. Let us rejoice that the Holy Spirit delights to work his divine peace in our hearts!

Psalm 73 | Alex Lynch

Scripture is clear that God is good. But this truth is hard to believe when we endure trials, especially when we see others around us thriving. Scripture promises that the path that follows God is filled with blessings while the path of the world leads to destruction, but it seems that more often than not the wicked are living full lives while believers suffer. Is God really good? Yes, he surely is! We stumble and spiral when we focus on the world, but when we set our eyes on Christ and recount his good nature and works, we stabilize. God strengthens his people and fills them with the sure knowledge that our hope is not in this world but in our eternal inheritance with Jesus Christ.

Galatians 5:22 | Steven Parkin

It can be tempting to think about joy as a temporary or optional measure. After all, who can have joy when things are hard in our lives? But truly, joy is an overflow from the heart of God that fills believers and is meant to characterize our lives. In the midst of mourning, God’s joy sustains us. As we endure through highs and lows, God’s joy fills and encourages us. We glorify God by delighting in him, so let us turn away from lesser delights and instead find satisfaction in our good and gracious Lord.

Luke 22:54-62 | JD Summers

The fear of man hinders us from faithfully following Jesus. Fear can control and constrict us, compelling us to act in ways that are counterintuitive to our faith in Christ. The fear of God should move us to worship, obey, and enjoy him, but we replace that right motivation with other, lesser motivations that lead us into sin. In light of this, then, how wonderful is the grace of God that both convicts us of this sin and also draws us to repentance. Where we are faithless, he is faithful. Where we are fearful, he is forgiving. Let us draw near to our merciful Savior in hope!

Luke 22:47-53 | JD Summers

The salvific nature of Christ’s mission had been foretold since before he was even born and was reinforced again and again throughout his life and ministry. Even so, as the hour for his sacrifice drew near, many failed to embrace his plan. Some seemed to follow but turned on him in the final hour. Some desired to stand with him, but foolishly pursued their own plans instead. And some outright opposed him, seeking to derail his sovereign design. But God’s plans do not fail. As Christ went to the cross, God was using Satan’s evil intent to accomplish his own plan of salvation instead. Behold our faithful, gracious, and sovereign God!

Luke 22:39-46 | JD Summers

Jesus, fully God, eternal, and preexistant, was also human. In the garden, he showed the full force of his humanity as he prayerfully relied on the Father in the moments leading to his crucifixion. Christ’s faithfulness can be seen as he prayed to embrace the Father’s will, relying on the strength he provides. As those who trust in Christ as our Savior, we too must persist in prayer that embraces God’s will and depends on the strength he displays in our weakness.

Luke 22:35-38 | JD Summers

We are called to carry out our mission in a hostile world. Jesus did not ask us to follow him merely when the going is good, but instead calls us to take up our cross and follow him. Jesus was numbered among the transgressors, taking on our sin and the penalty that accompanied it. Just as he experienced opposition and hardship, so should we. In light of this, let us make the necessary preparations and place our hope squarely in Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us.

Luke 22:31-34 | JD Summers

Those who follow Christ are a group of people in process, so we know that there will be failures along the way. But we also know that our failures do not define us and are not the end of our story. We face a real and dangerous enemy in Satan who desires to lead us into sin, and our flesh wants to satisfy its sinful cravings as well. But thanks be to God who lovingly works his all-sufficient power in us to aid in our battle against sin. And when we do fall, Christ mercifully restores us by drawing us to repentance. What a wonderful savior!

Luke 22:24-30 | JD Summers

The ambition that the twelve disciples displayed at the Last Supper was a common problem for them, and so it is for us. Though our hearts often strive to be great and gain power by means of exalting ourselves above others, in reality, true greatness is exemplified in humble service. Our pride leads to conflict with others and a rebuke from Christ, but lowering ourselves to serve others shows love to them and brings joy to our Savior. Let us humble our hearts to serve and rejoice that God’s grace has enabled proud people like us to find true greatness by simple submission!

Luke 22:7-23 | JD Summers

At the Last Supper, Jesus demonstrates providence in orchestrating every event in the world according to his plan. He gives grace, pointing to his coming sacrifice and showing that he loves and delights in his followers. And Jesus affirms his hope that he will be with us again, enjoying a future meal with us in eternity. As he initiated the new covenant on the cross, Jesus accomplished salvation for all who would believe in him. As we consider the gospel, and especially as we participate in communion, let us enjoy the sweet fellowship Jesus has allowed us to have with God through his broken body and shed blood.