“Gentlemen, This is a Football.”

Luke 22:14-20

(Use the link below to read the verses.)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2022%3A14-20&version=NIV;NLT

  

In 1960, the Green Bay Packers had a devastating loss in the NFL finals. The following year, Vince Lombardi started his pre-season training camp with the basics. “Gentlemen, this is a football.” This is what coaches, teachers and employers do; they start with the fundamentals of the job that is in front of you.

 

Understanding the Bible is the same way. You start with the basics; the fundamentals. One of the Biblical basics is understanding the difference between the Old Covenant, found in the Old Testament, and the New Covenant, found in the New Testament.

 

One is about the Law; the other grace. One is about rituals; the other relationship. For some, the two shall never meet. In reality though, they are both a part of the same story. Together, they tell the history of God’s plan of redemption. They tell the story of God’s covenant with Israel, and with all those who believe and have faith.

 

The Old Covenant was confirmed in Exodus 24 with many animal sacrifices being

made.

 

⁶ Moses took half of the blood and put it in bowls, and the other half he splashed against the altar… ⁸ Moses then took the blood, sprinkled it on the people and said, “This is the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words.”                       NIV

 

The New Covenant was confirmed during the Passover Feast with Jesus and his disciples in the Upper Room.

 

²⁰ After supper he took another cup of wine and said, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you.                      NLT   

 

Like the animal sacrifices of the Old Covenant, Jesus shed his blood to establish the New Covenant so that we might be forgiven. The difference being that Jesus is the pure Lamb of God sacrificed once for all so that no other sacrifices are necessary.

 

In order to be the best football players and team that they could be, Vince Lombardi instructed his team in the basics. As followers of Christ, should we do any different?

 

 

 

 

 

 

What Was, What Is and What Is To Come

Thanksgiving.

 

A day for remembering and celebrating. A day to spend time with family and friends.  A day to relax and watch football. A day to eat and eat, rest a bit and eat some more. And best of all, today is the day!

 

At our house we remember all the good things God has given us and give thanks. We look back to the past and reflect on what we have, and we reflect on the good things we have in the present. These include family, new family members, friends, our material possessions and perhaps a special vacation we took over the summer.

 

We give thanks for what is and what was.

 

Today’s reading is Isaiah 25:6-9.

 

Isaiah is describing a sumptuous banquet that at first may seem like a Thanksgiving Day meal. It is greater than that, though. It is the wedding banquet of Jesus and his Church.

 

The banquet is to honor the groom, Jesus, as well as the bride, his church. Since his church includes you and I, we will be there, not as invited guests, but as guests of honor!

 

Preceding this feast, Jesus returned to earth to gather the saints and take them to the banquet. He resurrected the dead; the once deceased saints will be there as well. He perfected us, he destroyed Satan and he removed all sin. All this is done in the “twinkle of an eye” (see 1 Cor 15:52).

 

The banquet will be a celebration of thanks for all that God has done for us.

 

Obviously this great banquet occurs in the future, yet we can be certain that it will happen. We know that Jesus will overcome Satan and his minions. We know that we will be there. What a great joy it will be!

 

Back to Thanksgiving at my household.

 

I have to modify the prayer for Thanksgiving  this year.

 

We will give thanks for what was, what is, and what is to come! (Cf. Rev 4:8)

 

Have a happy and blessed Thanksgiving!