VIP Ministry Network

Sermon in a nutshell: Matthew 26:17-30                   Take and Eat!

We start this year with God’s amazing Grace! Last night, we have examined our heart. We know what we have in us. However, many times, we pretend that we are not the person that we see ourselves. Sometimes, we even deceive ourselves. What is amazing about God’s Grace is this: God loves us even when we pretend and deceive ourselves.

Here are God’s people! They gathered together around the Passover table. Jesus already said “My appointed time is near!” but nobody understood what he meant. Jesus wanted to have the last meal with his disciples, knowing that one of them would betray him. He even openly predicted: “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.”

It is like our new year’s resolution. “I will do this and that this year!” God already knows that we cannot keep the resolution but still encourages us. Many of you will say to me: “Oh, no, pastor, you are not talking about me!” Yes, right, I am not talking about you!

Then Judas, the one who would betray Jesus, said, “Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?” Jesus smiled and looked at him with his loving eyes. “You have said so!”

God knows our struggles and weaknesses. God knows that we mean it when we say we would do this and that. So, Jesus, without any debate or rebuke, simply took the bread and offered to the disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”  Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

When we have the Holy Communion, we take it as sinners. Some people do not come to take the communion because they feel that they are not qualified. However, my friends, nobody is qualified to take it! We all participate in God’s Grace. Jesus pre-forgave his disciples including the Judas Iscariot, who would betray him and offered his body and blood for them. We start our new year with this Grace! Both God and we know that we are going to make many mistakes. However, both God and we also know that God’s Grace is working in our lives. Let us take this new-year with faith and courage! God be with us all!

1. What is your new year’s resolution?
2. When have you experienced God’s Grace in your life?