You know the tradition of offering
a condemned man his choice of a meal for his final supper? I wonder if that is how Jesus felt on Thursday. He knew that his time had come, that he would
soon depart from this world and go home to the Father. Did he sense he was a
man who was condemned having a final meal, or man about to be set free, having
his last supper?
Tonight he would eat his
final Passover Meal. On the menu was lamb. As it had been for centuries. (Read Exodus 12:1-14) The Lamb of God would be serving lamb, the lamb with which we remember
God’s grace in passing over the homes which housed his children.
Speaking of serving, Jesus
taught, remember that you, my followers, exist to serve others, not yourselves,
just as Jesus did for his us, so we are to do for him. To emphasize the lesson,
and to give us the motive to serve, Jesus teaches a new commandment: that we
love one another. How can we know that we are invited to take a seat at the
Table with Jesus? Examine your life: do you have one for one another? (Read John 13:1-17, 31b-35)
Also on the menu was bread
and wine. Jesus explained why: The bread
which we break, he said, ‘This is my body that is for you.” The wine which we
drink, he said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood.” For centuries since we follow his menu
directions: whenever we eat and drink at the Lord’s Table, we commune with each
other and Jesus in remembrance of Jesus, recalling this last holy supper. (Read I Corinthians 11:23-26)
The Lamb. The Bread. The Cup. Life-giving
ingredients. Heavenly taste.
Then a closing hymn to give
thanks for a last supper. A hymn of
thanksgiving, lifting up the cup of salvation in return for the Lord’s bounty.
And then heading out into the darkness, full of the knowledge that ‘Precious in
the sight of the LORD is the death of his faithful ones.” The thanksgiving
sacrifice is offered to fulfill vows made to the LORD, to offer up praise. (Read Psalm 116:1-2; 12-19)
‘Praise the LORD!’, the Lamb
who is worthy sings. Amen.
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