The scene set for us. Jesus is lounging around the table with His chosen followers. This is not a typical meal; Jesus is preparing them for life without His physical presence. As they are reclining, Jesus takes some bread, tears it, and illustrates that as the bread was broken and torn so will His body. Then Jesus takes the wine, pours it, and uses that to represent the blood that He will pour out for mankind. What a way to tell your most faithful followers to remember you. Jesus states as he presents the two emblems “Do this in remembrance of me.” Oh the emotions the others must have felt, fear, sadness, confusion. So, what did they do? Did they sit around the table in silence? Did they share stories of Jesus? I cannot help but think they reclined and shared stories and memories of Jesus. There were probably tears shed, and laughter probably resounded from them all. They knew that Jesus came and fulfilled his Father’s work. They knew the power of the events that were to take place in the coming days, the trials, the crucifixion and the resurrection.
Are we any different than they were? Do we not know the power of those events that took place? Are we not able to share in the stories of Jesus? When we gather on the first day of the week, are we celebrating or are we mourning? Are we sharing in the legacy left behind by our Savior? There are times we make the Lord’s Supper a selfish act, we keep it to ourselves! That is not what it is about. It is more about us coming together as a group of Jesus’ followers, sharing in the celebration. This is not a time to be somber and mourn, rather it is a time to rejoice and celebrate! Jesus Christ lived a life that was sinless, He endured scorn, shame, and pain that we deserved, not Him. However, He wanted us to have a chance to be reconciled, to be clean, so He did it. He did it for us! As we share in the meal, let us do so in remembrance, let us share of the love, grace, and mercy, let us share as a community!
“He joins us here; He breaks the bread, The Lord who pours the cup is risen from the dead! The one we love the most, Is now our gracious host. Come take the bread, Come drink the cup, Come share the Lord.”
