June 27 – July 4, 2025

ELEMENTS THAT BRING RESULTS

Isaiah 53:5 “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.”

The last supper, Jesus’ final meal with His disciples, was also the first communion. By the time the night was over, He would have fulfilled the first communion with the stripes of the beatings and the shedding of His blood on the cross. Communion is about forgiveness and healing. The elements of communion, wine and bread, represent the forgiveness of our sins by the shedding of Jesus’ blood and the healing of our diseases and sicknesses by His broken body. At the last supper, Jesus acted out the most important teaching in the gospel. Who is the first person Jesus served communion to? The one who needed it the most: Judas. Jesus honored His betrayer. “I’m dying to forgive you of your sins—and here you are, My betrayer—I’m offering you My forgiveness.” Only the Lord could give it to him. And on the cross, Jesus forgave even those who hired Judas. And He forgave those who nailed Him to the cross. 

What does that mean for us? Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:14-15, “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” We must forgive in order to be forgiven! It’s not that the Father is a bully! God is about relationships! The greatest commandment is love GOD and love others as yourself (Matthew 22:36-39). Jesus knows if we don’t forgive, unforgiveness will escalate into resentment, anger, rage, retaliation, bitterness, violence and murder. The Lord wants to love us and to bless us but when our hearts grow cold, then it’s hard for us, like Judas, to receive from the Lord all that He has for us.

In Mark 11:22-26, God says we can move mountains with our prayers BUT if we are praying and remember something, FORGIVE. God wants us to deal with issues of our own heart. It takes two to reconcile, but it takes only one to forgive. The other person may not be ready to reconcile. But take responsibility for your heart. That’s all God asks.

This is an excerpt from a 90-day devotional written by Emil and Karen. To order the full devotional, click on the TO ORDER DEVOTIONAL page.