FreeTruth

It is nearly always good to eat with close friends. There is just something about enjoying a meal together that strengthens bonds and lightens hearts. It is apparent from this passage that Jesus shared that view: "I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you". But there is something deeper here as well. Jesus is showing his disciples that he loves them and his love is deeper, more radical and more intense than ever demonstrated by any human in the history of the world before or since.

First, Jesus lets his disciples know the time is now very short. After this meal, he won't eat or drink again until he returns from the cross. There is an element of prophecy here, but I think more significantly Jesus is making clear that he is not a victim of circumstance. He knows what is about to happen and is not seeking to change it. He wants his disciples to know that this is not just another Passover, but represents the last time they will enjoy one together. It's as if he is saying, "Hey guys, pay attention this is important!"

Second, Jesus is demonstrating that regardless of his circumstance he will obey God his Father. He took the cup and gave thanks. He also broke the bread and gave thanks. I sincerely doubt that this was a quick formulaic prayer by Jesus to his Father. Nothing Jesus does is formulaic; that would be outside his character. His actions are always careful, intentional and with feeling. It is interesting that the Gospel writer was careful to make note of both prayers in the text. I think it may be because the author wanted to make clear that even though Jesus was under tremendous stress, he still remembered that the simple pleasure of this meal was a tremendous gift from God and love for his Father demands that he thank him for it. Jesus always had his priorities straight.

Third, Jesus shows his disciples what love really means. "This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me." Jesus is predicting his death on the cross and is at the same time creating a ceremony to memorialize it. His body is about to be broken, not because he was a victim of the Roman Empire that was seeking to prevent a Jewish uprising, or a victim of Jewish leaders seeking to prevent a rabble rouser from diminishing their authority, but because Jesus loved us. He gave us his body and poured out his blood of his own volition so that we by his death may have life. It was entirely because of Love that he died on the cross.

This is why the celebration of the Lord's Supper should be so significant to us. It is a ceremony remembering that Jesus was a lover of our souls, and when you are loved by Jesus, you can be sure that that Love will stop at nothing. It is an all out, radical, revolutionary, extreme love that will sacrifice for you in obedience to the Father. What a Savior!

by Adam Metcalf

Labels: Communion, Guest Post, Lent

As TDB comments, "We're hard wired to hang on to our comfortable ways of doing life, believing it will start working--eventually--in the face of compelling evidence to the contrary." I agree. We often mistake what is comfortable for what is effective or right. If it feels easy or normal we don't even think to change it. We feel no instinct or desire to shift. Why mess with success? But is it really success, or is it something else?

One of my first adult life uses of the shift key took place around 1988. About five years into pastoral ministry I studied the Bible's teaching about Communion and concluded that the NT church observed the Lord's Supper often. I know there's debate on it, and my point is not to build a case here, but here's what I thought: the Bible at least commends (though I'm not sure it commands) frequent Communion.

Having come from a tradition of once-a-month Communion, this jarred my little theological world and caused no small inner turmoil. You see: the trouble with the way we do (and have always done) things is that our way takes on the status of conviction by wrapping itself in arguments to justfiy its existence and exaggerate its importance. That's what had happened with my once-a-month-Communion practice. It's the way it had been done. It seemed to be working. And besides, if you observe Communion more than once per month, it'll become a vain repitition; an empty ritual. Increased familiarity will lead to diminishing returns. So the argument (my argument) went.

But I was up against it: the trouble with the argument was that it didn't seem to stand up to the implications of Scripture, nor to the witness of history. Apparently in the NT church they were able to observe Communion at least weekly and still be impacted by grace. Scripture testimony (and the experience of some great Christians in history) rocked my convictions and exposed them as mere traditions. It was time to use the shift key.

Opting for every week Communion (our practice to this day) we've found that instead of becoming a vain and empty ritual, Communion has become a profoundly meaningful, and worship and life-transforming means of grace. Every week Communion perpetually reminds us that no matter what else happens in life and church and worship, we are each, individually, and all, collectively, people of the Cross. By this means, we are brought back to the gospel and to the main thing (1 Corinthians 15:3) every time we gather. Greater familiarity has in fact led to increasing returns.

The lessons learned from this use of life's shift key have been valuable:
1. When the Bible seems to be pointing in one direction and I'm going in another, it's always safer and better to adjust accordingly.
2. I don't need to be afraid to test my ways and traditions. With a Bible in hand, I can be willing to evaluate everything. Is it right? Is it really biblical? Are my arguments for my way merely human reasons for a human tradition or are they really God's truth truly held? Is there a better way? While the older or present way may not seem broken, does it need a tune-up or upgrade?
3. And in the case of Communion, I've learned that anything that keeps the Cross of Jesus front and center in life is a good thing!

Shifting direction has led us closer to Jesus.
Any thoughts?

Labels: Change, Communion, Growth