The One Year New Testament

March 8

Matthew 26:17-29

Matthew 26:17-29

17 Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where will you have us prepare for you to eat the Passover?” 18 He said, “Go into the city to a certain man and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.’” 19 And the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover.

20 When it was evening, he reclined at table with the twelve. 21 And as they were eating, he said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” 22 And they were very sorrowful and began to say to him one after another, “Is it I, Lord?” 23 He answered, “He who has dipped his hand in the dish with me will betray me. 24 The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.” 25 Judas, who would betray him, answered, “Is it I, Rabbi?” He said to him, “You have said so.”

26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.”

Reflection

Jesus and his disciples shared a final Passover meal, which the Israelites celebrated annually as a reminder that God had delivered them from slavery in Egypt. At Jesus’ last meal with his disciples, he gave them bread and the cup and established what we now refer to as the Lord’s Supper. The Lord’s Supper gave new meaning to the Passover meal, so that when we partake of the bread and the cup we are celebrating God’s greatest act of deliverance, which he accomplished through the sacrificial death of Christ on the cross.

Jesus’ death established a new contract (“covenant”) between God and his people that promised the forgiveness of sins and a right relationship with God (Matt. 26:28; Luke 22:20; 1 Cor. 11:25; 2 Cor. 3:6, 11; see also Jer. 31:31–34). For believers, this new covenant agreement results in a joyful freedom from sin’s destructive influence. In the gospel, we learn that Christ has set us free from sin and death!

1 Corinthians 8:1-13

1 Corinthians 8:1-13

Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up. If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. But if anyone loves God, he is known by God.

Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “an idol has no real existence,” and that “there is no God but one.” For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”— yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.

However, not all possess this knowledge. But some, through former association with idols, eat food as really offered to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. 10 For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol's temple, will he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? 11 And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. 12 Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.

Reflection

In chapters 8–10, Paul speaks to a second topic from the Corinthians’ letter: food offered to idols (images of false gods). After a food offering was made at the pagan temple, some of it was sold in public markets (1 Cor. 10:25), and some of it was eaten in feasts at the temples (8:10; 10:20). Some of the Corinthians believed that their maturity as Christians gave them the freedom to eat this food, even though other believers were falling into sin as a result (8:10). Paul says that we should be careful to avoid doing anything that would interrupt the growth of other believers in Christ (“stumbling block/stumble”; 1 Cor. 8:9, 13). Instead, we should gladly give up our “rights” out of love for our brothers (v. 13) — even those who seem less mature (“the weak”). Like the Corinthians, we often ask, “What am I free to do?” But as believers in Christ, we are able to ask a different question: “What am I free to give up for the good of others?” Similarly, if we have more knowledge than others, we will use it not to justify doing what we please but to “build up” other people (vv. 1–2).

In the gospel (the good news about Jesus), we are reminded that Jesus himself gave up his own rights and privileges for our sake. The only way we can care about the good of our neighbor more than our own rights and privileges is by the transforming power of this good news.

Psalm 85:2

Psalm 85:2

You forgave the iniquity of your people;
you covered all their sin. Selah

Thoughts For Prayer

Consider the promises of the new covenant, and rejoice in your forgiveness. Spend some time with God remembering what he has delivered you from, and ask him to further awaken your heart to the goodness of his grace.

Missions Prayer Requests More

  • May 16, 2025

    Supported Workers: Parkside Church: Westside

    Country: United States of America

    As Parkside Church Westside continues to love and serve their neighbors in Lakewood, pray for them to boldly proclaim Christ in the daily mission fields into which the Lord has placed them. Pray for Westside members who are forming relationships with refugees in the Cleveland area through the ministry Building Hope in the City. Continue to pray for the Cleveland Pregnancy Center as they provide help to moms in need. Pray also for International Friendships as they care for students living far from home this semester. Pray for a church family abroad who is working with a minority language group to advance the gospel in all languages. Continue to pray for the health and safety of Nathanael Wiles as he raises funds to return to Tenwek Hospital with World Gospel Mission. Pray for the safety of Ryan and Samantha S. as they share the gospel with Somolian refugees in Kenya.

    Yeman (Asia). Population: 41,773,878 Believers: <0.1%. Amidst the terrible suffering, Yemenis are finding life in Christ through radio, Bible distribution, careful witness, and dreams and visions from the Lord! Believers meet secretly and only in small groups. They often face dangerous opposition. Praise God for these followers of Jesus. Pray for them as they learn how to honor their culture and family while faithfully serving the Lord.
    From Operation World DVD-ROM 2010 and www.operationworld.org