Jesus had the ability to know things before they even happened. In Mark 14:14-31 we are told that Jesus and the disciples were gathered together on a Friday evening eating the Passover. During the meal which we know today as the Lord’s Supper, Jesus lets the disciples know that the man who will betray him is eating with them.

Judas Iscariot the betrayer would eventually identify Jesus to the soldiers at the Garden of Gethsemane and the purpose of Jesus’ death on the cross would be fulfilled as the new covenant between God and His people. In the Jewish law, blood had to be shed as atonement for sins and Jesus was introducing a new covenant not based on blood sacrifice of animals but the shedding of His own blood on the cross.

Today, we share in this new covenant of Christ since all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. We were once weak but now are strong because of acceptance of Christ as Savior. The Holy Spirit provides a means whereby each individual provides something to the cause of Christ. In return, each member receives the combined strength of the whole.

The photo below was taken at the end of October in my back yard. It was right before the first strong cold front. Geese form a V-shaped formation to help conserve their energy as they fly because the birds in front reduce wind resistance. After flying in front for a while, the next in line will take the front and the one in front will go to the back to rest.

Apart we are weak but together we are strong. Like geese flying south for the winter, we help each other along the journey.  In return, each member receives the combined strength of the whole. Together as ONE in Christ, the application of our faith then becomes combined excellence and God’s glory is the ultimate outcome.

This day, we work together as ONE in Christ to be shaped for victory. We help and encourage each other along the journey. The Gospel message is about team formation as we become an ever-growing community of believers willing to give our part for the cause of Christ. Amen.