NEHEMIAH 8:10

And Nehemiah continued, “Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!”

TO PONDER

Sometimes keeping the joy alive from a special event can be a challenge. We take photos and videos and maybe take the time to look back at them and it reminds us of the joy we experienced but it doesn't really bring the joy back.

The Israelites, particularly in the Old Testament, had a kind of different thinking about participating in these kinds of festivals and commemorations. The Passover meal for example, is a meal of remembering what God did to rescue the people from slavery in Egypt, but it is also a kind of active participation in the events of that first passover. That in participating in this meal, God's judgement will passover their houses also.

This is something like what Holy Communion should be for Christians today. It's a way of keeping the joy alive in our lives every week when we once again receive and participate in Christ's sacrifice for us as we receive his body and blood in the bred and wine of Holy Communion. We remember, but we also participate and are joined with him in his death so that we might also be joined to him in his resurrection life. That's a life of joy for every day, so let's get living.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, Thank you that you have given yourself for me and also given a meal to commemorate and participate in your death and resurrection. Help me to live each day in the joy and hope of your resurrection live and to always know that you are with me. Amen

Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle