stephen R Harrison

“At the Table”

“When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. 

And he said to them, ‘I have eagerly desired to eat 

this Passover with you before I suffer.’”

-Luke 22:14-15

One of the most intimate times of fellowship we can have with anyone is sharing a meal with them. Twenty-four hours before being crucified, Jesus desired to eat the Passover meal with his disciples. This was indeed his last meal before death. Luke tells us the Passover lamb was killed and prepared for the meal that would take place that evening. Jesus tasked Peter and John with the preparations: find the lamb and the room and prepare the meal. Jesus even told them a man carrying a water jar would guide them to the large upper room where the meal would be shared. This man would have been easy to find as carrying water pots was traditionally a woman’s task in that culture. The disciples quickly obeyed and made the preparations the day before Jesus’ death.

I’ve eaten a lot of meals in my life. If three a day, then I’ve eaten over 50,000! I don’t know about you, but I have difficulty remembering what I ate last night! There’s no way to remember that many, but I remember some special ones. My first date with my wife, our wedding dinner, and the last meal with my dad come to mind. I also remember special places – the donut shop before school with my kids, the Mexican restaurant with friends every Saturday night after church for 10 years, and the Pizza Pro before church every Wednesday with my wife before having kids come to mind. Some meals were special, and some places held significance, but the disciples would never forget the person they ate with that Thursday evening! 

Jesus wasn’t the guest at this meal – he was the host. He would guide his disciples through each element of what believers have since called Communion, the Lord’s Supper, and the Breaking of Bread. This meal had great significance for several reasons. First, it was a meal of commemoration. The Passover reminded them of the lamb’s blood that was applied to the door of every home so the Angel of Death would pass them by during the Israelites’ escape from Egypt. More than that, this supper would commemorate Jesus’ death – the wine, his blood, and the bread, his body, shed and broken on the cross for our sins.  

Next, this meal was a celebration. The Passover was a retelling of the Exodus story when Israel escaped bondage in Egypt. It was a meal that stood for freedom. As believers receive the communion elements today, it is a celebration commemorating our freedom and fellowship because of Jesus’ sacrifice. And lastly, the Passover was a time of anticipation. The Jews awaited a Messiah who would redeem God’s chosen people. The Last Supper reminds all who receive it that Jesus is the Messiah who has come, gone to the cross, resurrected from the grave, ascended back into Heaven, and is coming again! It is time to say, “Maranatha! – Come Jesus come!”

During Lent, we commemorate, celebrate, and anticipate Jesus! Come to the table. Eat, drink, rejoice! 

Questions: 

What has been your tradition of the Lord’s Supper (frequency, significance, memories, etc.)?

How do Jesus’ death and resurrection cause you to commemorate, celebrate, and anticipate?

Prayer:

Jesus, we commemorate you as the Passover Lamb who died for the sins of the world. We celebrate your victory over the grave, as it is ours over sin. We anticipate your return to receive us as your bride and usher in the consummation of your Kingdom into its fullness. Thank you for the joy of regularly sharing this sacred meal with your church. In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.

Read: 

Luke 22:7-25

Action Step:

Prepare your heart for the next time you take the Lord’s Supper with your church. Sometimes, we don’t prepare until the morning of communion. Allow the Lord to bring reflection and celebration as you read today’s selected passage.