Lessons Before and After

“When the hour came, he reclined at table, and the apostles with him… He took bread,.. broke it and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ And likewise the cup.., saying, ‘This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood…’

“’Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers…’

“The men said to them, ‘Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you,.. that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.’ And they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest… Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and went home marveling at what had happened…

“[Jesus] said to them, ‘These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law… and Prophets and Psalms must be fulfilled.’ Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, ‘It is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations.'”  Luke 22:14,19-20,31-32; 23:46-49; 24:5-9,12,44-47

While He lived among them, Jesus taught His disciples and repeatedly warned them of His upcoming death and resurrection. The consistent message dripped on their curious, eager hearts, but was not fully absorbed until He had died and been raised. The lessons of preparation for understanding and accepting His death became lessons of applying it, what to do with His victory won. (Luke 23:46-49)

All through life we take in lessons, some specifically conveyed and others gleaned from experience. There are situations we’re so in the moment that we fail to recall what we know we know, yet looking back, see how the lesson applied, or could have been. The scriptures are full of warnings and direction that, the more familiar we are with them, are a help and hope in present living. The Spirit calls them to mind to effect immediate decisions and responses. (John 14:26)

In a time of tension between promises fulfilled and those to anticipate, how should we then live? At Christmastime, we look back on the gift that was Jesus to the world, and we look forward to His coming again. Our challenge is to live out and proclaim the message of His life and salvation with hope of His future return. The lessons He’s taught us all along can be applied now and believed in days to come.

What lessons has the Lord taught over the recent past? What have we learned about suffering, the wickedness of the world, the blessing of mutual encouragement, our mandate as His children? How deliberate are we to put His word to action? Christ gives both perspective and power as we trust and obey.

Lord, keep me alert to all You’ve taught and are teaching, that I might always, aware of Your sovereign, good activity, live boldly to Your praise.