As with many families the main gathering
point has been the household table, it is here that families shared their lives, and their problems. Yet in spite of these problems the family members find , and found, a place to be accepted to belong in spite of who they, or we all are. As many Christians will be gathered at the Table of the Lord on Holy or Maunday Thursday consider this gathering and what it means to each of us.
The table
as a place of fellowship and family Communion has always been important. The
table brought people together, some times from many backgrounds and . Often this was
the common place of gathering and the center of family life.
The Last Supper/The First Supper
As Jesus came together at what, was in every sense the last
Supper of the Old Covenant and as Jesus would introduce a new meaning and Sacraments which
demonstrated the New Covenant, which is God’s new relationship offered to any and all who will but freely receive it , available with all humanity not just Israel ,
symbolized by the Lord’s Supper, Communion or Eucharist. It could be called the First Supper of the New Covenant.
We can read of Jesus being very intentional giving instructions to His disciples regarding the preparation of this supper, which up to that point was called the " Passover" . He wanted to be certain that this gathering would accomplish His purposes
"Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed. And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat" Luke:22:7-8
Jesus gave instructions to His disciples.
"And they said to him, Where will you that we prepare?And
he said to them, Behold, when you are entered into the city, there
shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the
house where he enters in. And
you shall say to the manager of the house, The Master said to you,
Where is the guest room, where I shall eat the passover with my
disciples?
And he shall show you a large upper room furnished: there make ready.
And they went, and found as he had said to them: and they made ready the Passover". (9-13)
The Lord's Supper Instituted
After all the preparation Jesus and the disciples gather around this table , and they engage in the centuries old ceramoney that commemorated the deliverance of the people of Israel Exodus:12:14-17.
But now Jesus transforms the Old Covenant Passover into a whole new sacrament with deeper meaning not just for Israel but for all peoples, this new sacrament is the Lord's Supper or the Communion.
Around the Table
"And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him. And he said to them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:
For I say to you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God." (14-16)
Jesus then introduces the meaning of that which was always intended and implied in the Passover. He tells us to "do this in remembrance of Me" this "remembrance" is not just recalling a past event, but meaning that we keep Him always in the forefront of our hearts and minds that we are always mindful of Jesus.
"And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: For I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.
And
he took bread, and gave thanks, and broke it, and gave to them, saying,
This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.
Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you".
(17-20)
Jesus gives thanks, but not just for a blessing on the symbols they are about to share in but Jesus is also thanking His Father that He can give His life for our redemption and forgiveness so that we can have Communion.
"But, behold, the hand of him that betrays me is with me on the table. And truly the Son of man goes, as it was determined: but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed! And they began to inquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing".(21-23)
Jesus gives thanks, but not just for a blessing on the symbols they are about to share in but Jesus is also thanking His Father that He can give His life for our redemption and forgiveness so that we can have Communion.
Around the Table
So often when we read the Gospel accounts our focus is mostly upon our Lord Jesus and this is right that we look to Him, but notice and consider what is taking place among the disciples who are there with Him.
Betrayal
When we look upon the disciples at the Table of the Lord we see sin and expressions of the carnal nature.We see betrayal.
Blame and Accusations
As the narrative unfolds in Mark's account ,we see shifting of responsibilities and accusation.
"And as they sat and did eat, Jesus said, Truly I say to you, One of you which eats with me shall betray me. And they began to be sorrowful, and to say to him one by one, Is it I? and another said, Is it I?" Mark:14:18-19
Who is the Greatest?
Here ,at the Table of the Lord, we wittiness the disciples who are gathered in midst of one of the most significant moments with their Lord , and even now, ambitions and agenda driven strife arises only hours away from Jesus' arrest and death. Here they descend into posturing an bickering over position.
"And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.
And
he said to them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them;
and they that exercise authority on them are called benefactors.
But
you shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as
the younger; and he that is chief, as he that does serve.
For
whether is greater, he that sits at meat, or he that serves? is not he
that sits at meat? but I am among you as he that serves".(24-27)
At this the table we see even denial of Jesus Himself. Jesus cautions Peter that he will refuse to acknowledge his association in a moments of stress, not only once but three times, yet with this caution there is grace and encouragement for Peter and for us all.
Even Denial
At this the table we see even denial of Jesus Himself. Jesus cautions Peter that he will refuse to acknowledge his association in a moments of stress, not only once but three times, yet with this caution there is grace and encouragement for Peter and for us all.
"And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
But I have prayed for you, that your faith fail not: and when you are converted, strengthen your brothers.
And he said to him, Lord, I am ready to go with you, both into prison, and to death. And he said, I tell you, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that you shall thrice deny that you know me".(31-34)
Through the Years
Even
Years after the Death, Resurrection and Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ there were problems. The
Christians at Corinth had disorder, selfishness , and over indulgence even as they gathered at the
Lord’s Table. We can read of Paul addressing this catalog of problems in 1Corinthian:11:2-22.
Same Issues
Years may pass, and the place may change, but
these issues have been with Christian all along. Where there are people there will be these issues, no matter what time we are in.
All This Around His Table
Yet these issues are the very reason that we all need to come to the Table of the Lord, and these weakness in humanity are very
reason that we are invited to His table. When coming to His table to share in the Lord’s Supper we are confessing our
need. We can neither earn nor deserve to sit and eat the Super of the Lord.
There is no other place to bring our brokenness, weakness, our lostness and sin, no other place we can appeal to for the Grace and forgiveness. There is no other that we can call out to for help but our living Savior Jesus Christ who died for us all. It is also at this Table of the Lord the we can be included in His love and fellowship, His Communion. Her at His table we find belonging and unity in spite of our selves. It is at His Table alone that this inclusion is found for us and when we come we bring to it all of our inherent brokenness.
There is no other place to bring our brokenness, weakness, our lostness and sin, no other place we can appeal to for the Grace and forgiveness. There is no other that we can call out to for help but our living Savior Jesus Christ who died for us all. It is also at this Table of the Lord the we can be included in His love and fellowship, His Communion. Her at His table we find belonging and unity in spite of our selves. It is at His Table alone that this inclusion is found for us and when we come we bring to it all of our inherent brokenness.
When we come to the Lord’s Table ,we are
acknowledging our need for Him, for our Lord Jesus Christ whose table we sit at in Communion all by Grace, and what He alone can offer us. We will never, nor can we be, worthy in our own selves, to sit with Him at His table yet this is where our Lord want us to be. This something we all need to remember
as we gather around the Lord’s table. Amen
Rev.Todd Crouch, Pastor
The Fountain of Life Church a Congregation of Grace Communion
Washington, Pennsylvania.
The Fountain of Life Broadcast heard on the RKP
Radio Network 1710 & 1670 AM in Washington and North Franklin, Pennsylvania. and on 1710 AM in Bentleyville ,
Pennsylvania. And online around the world at www.rkpradio.com
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