March 20, 2016 Sermon Titled: All are welcome to the table

First Mennonite Church

March 20, 2016

All are welcome to the table

Text: Luke 22:14-23

  22:14 When the hour came, he took his place at the table, and the apostles with him. 22:15 He said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; 22:16 for I tell you, I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” 22:17 Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he said, “Take  this and divide it among yourselves; 22:18 for I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the  fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 22:19 Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 22:20 And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. 22:21 But see, the one who betrays me is with me, and his hand is on the table. 22:22 For the Son of Man is going as it has been determined, but woe to that one by whom he is betrayed!” 22:23 Then they began to ask one another, which one of them it could be who would do this.

There are many perspectives and even doctrines surrounding the Lord’s Supper. I have heard pastors describe it as the spiritual thermometer for believers. They believe that by whether or not a believer partakes of communion is evidence of his or her spiritual temperature. Those who are fervent participate and those who are spiritually cold refrain from participating.

The Catholic Church has a doctrine called Transubstantiation. This is the belief that the host and the wine literally transform into the flesh and blood of Jesus at the very moment the priest serves them to the believer.

Some other Christians would not use for communion elements other than wafers or bread made from wheat and grape juice. In Panama, the early Mennonite congregations among the Imbera and Gwanan indigenous peoples used plantain and coffee when they celebrated the Lord’s Supper.  Plantain (large bananas) and coffee were the staple food for these indigenous groups in Panama and northern Colombia. Wheat and grapes were not known to them.

Whatever the views there are surrounding the Lord’s Supper, Christians of all traditions see in this ritual a significance that goes beyond the simple elements.

Today, we are celebrating Communion. This Christian ritual is grounded in the act Jesus held with his disciples just some hours prior to his arrest, trial and crucifixion. We do not know if Jesus had celebrated the two previous Passover meals with his disciples in the same way as the one recorded here by Luke. Luke’s recording of this account seems to highlight the specialness of its timing. Jesus expressed an eagerness for this moment to come. “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. The timing for this meal is tied to Jesus’ suffering. The expression “before I suffer” is a veiled reference to Jesus’ death, which he had announced three times before (Luke 9: 21, 44; 18:31). This last supper was going to give Jesus the opportunity to graphically tell his disciples about his death once more. It was his last opportunity he would have and the elements of the supper were to help his disciples understand what they had failed to understand each of the 3 previous times Jesus had told them about his upcoming death.

The cup with wine was a perfect representation of his blood and the breaking of the bread was a visual illustration of what was going to happen to Jesus’ body. There was also a deeper meaning beyond the simple and visual elements. They represented Jesus’ life-giving grace and power.

Jesus further explains that he was not going to participate in this solemn act, at least not in the near future.  “. . . I tell you, I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” From Jesus’ perspective, this moment will not be repeated, at least not until God’s kingdom is fully established. It is for this reason every time we celebrate Holy Communion we anticipate the wedding feast between the Lamb of God and the redeemed and glorified church as mentioned in the book of Revelations. There we read:

Let us rejoice and be glad
and give him glory!
For the wedding of the Lamb has come,
and his bride has made herself ready.
Fine linen, bright and clean,
was given her to wear.

(Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.)

Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” And he added, “These are the true words of God” (Revelations 19:7-9).

Every occasion we celebrate the Lord’s Supper we cannot avoid remembering the death of Jesus. Communion is the closest visual display of what happened on Good Friday. The blood-stained cross, the wounded side of Jesus, the crown of thorns piercing his forehead, and his bleeding hands and feet are all symbolically present in the elements of Communion.

Every year around this time or on Easter Sunday we wonder: Why did Jesus have to suffer and die? Some years ago I preached a series on the various factors that led Jesus to die. In the pages of the Gospels we find various reasons given that led Jesus to the cross of Golgotha. Jesus’ outright declaration of divine character was blasphemous to the religious authorities. Jesus’ claims of superiority over the Sabbath regulations and his teaching authority brought jealousy—murderous jealousy which led religious authority to plan his death. Satan’s indwelling and control over Judas had a major role in Jesus’ death. The political threat perceived by Pilate and Herod was also a contributing factor to the crucifixion. Jesus even told his disciples that his suffering and resurrection were things written about him in the pages of the Old Testament. Each of these reasons combined and possibly all of them combined finally led to Jesus’ death.

On the second announcement of his death, Jesus pleaded with his disciples to keenly pay attention to his words, but even so they did not understand what he was telling them. They were afraid to ask him for clarifications (Luke 44-45). Again the question: Why did Jesus have to die?

When we read what Jesus did during the Last Supper, there he gave his disciples and to us the clearest reason for his death. These are the words of Luke:

Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood . . .” (19-20).

Included in that plural “you” are you and me. Jesus clearly says that his death is for our benefit. Jesus died for you and me. We are direct beneficiaries of his death. He was going to die, not for those who refused to believe or those who wanted his death, although they could also benefit from it, but Jesus said that his body was to be broken for the sake of those who sat around the table. At that moment even Judas was included as a possible beneficiary of Jesus’ death.

My dear brothers and sisters, today we are around the table of the Lord. And we are the direct beneficiaries of his vicarious death. He addresses us this morning reminding us that his body was broken for our sake. He is reminding us that his blood was shed for our redemption, for the washing away of our sins. He is reminding us that as we participate by eating the bread and drinking the cup at his table that we should also look forward to the day he will break bread the day the kingdom of God is fulfilled.

Please come to the Lord’s Table. He is inviting each of us. Amen!

Pastor Romero

 

 

Text: Luke 22:14-23

  22:14 When the hour came, he took his place at the table, and the apostles with him. 22:15 He said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; 22:16 for I tell you, I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” 22:17 Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he said, “Take  this and divide it among yourselves; 22:18 for I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the  fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 22:19 Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 22:20 And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. 22:21 But see, the one who betrays me is with me, and his hand is on the table. 22:22 For the Son of Man is going as it has been determined, but woe to that one by whom he is betrayed!” 22:23 Then they began to ask one another, which one of them it could be who would do this.

There are many perspectives and even doctrines surrounding the Lord’s Supper. I have heard pastors describe it as the spiritual thermometer for believers. They believe that by whether or not a believer partakes of communion is evidence of his or her spiritual temperature. Those who are fervent participate and those who are spiritually cold refrain from participating.

The Catholic Church has a doctrine called Transubstantiation. This is the belief that the host and the wine literally transform into the flesh and blood of Jesus at the very moment the priest serves them to the believer.

Some other Christians would not use for communion elements other than wafers or bread made from wheat and grape juice. In Panama, the early Mennonite congregations among the Imbera and Gwanan indigenous peoples used plantain and coffee when they celebrated the Lord’s Supper.  Plantain (large bananas) and coffee were the staple food for these indigenous groups in Panama and northern Colombia. Wheat and grapes were not known to them.

Whatever the views there are surrounding the Lord’s Supper, Christians of all traditions see in this ritual a significance that goes beyond the simple elements.

Today, we are celebrating Communion. This Christian ritual is grounded in the act Jesus held with his disciples just some hours prior to his arrest, trial and crucifixion. We do not know if Jesus had celebrated the two previous Passover meals with his disciples in the same way as the one recorded here by Luke. Luke’s recording of this account seems to highlight the specialness of its timing. Jesus expressed an eagerness for this moment to come. “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. The timing for this meal is tied to Jesus’ suffering. The expression “before I suffer” is a veiled reference to Jesus’ death, which he had announced three times before (Luke 9: 21, 44; 18:31). This last supper was going to give Jesus the opportunity to graphically tell his disciples about his death once more. It was his last opportunity he would have and the elements of the supper were to help his disciples understand what they had failed to understand each of the 3 previous times Jesus had told them about his upcoming death.

The cup with wine was a perfect representation of his blood and the breaking of the bread was a visual illustration of what was going to happen to Jesus’ body. There was also a deeper meaning beyond the simple and visual elements. They represented Jesus’ life-giving grace and power.

Jesus further explains that he was not going to participate in this solemn act, at least not in the near future.  “. . . I tell you, I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” From Jesus’ perspective, this moment will not be repeated, at least not until God’s kingdom is fully established. It is for this reason every time we celebrate Holy Communion we anticipate the wedding feast between the Lamb of God and the redeemed and glorified church as mentioned in the book of Revelations. There we read:

Let us rejoice and be glad
and give him glory!
For the wedding of the Lamb has come,
and his bride has made herself ready.
Fine linen, bright and clean,
was given her to wear.

(Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.)

Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” And he added, “These are the true words of God” (Revelations 19:7-9).

Every occasion we celebrate the Lord’s Supper we cannot avoid remembering the death of Jesus. Communion is the closest visual display of what happened on Good Friday. The blood-stained cross, the wounded side of Jesus, the crown of thorns piercing his forehead, and his bleeding hands and feet are all symbolically present in the elements of Communion.

Every year around this time or on Easter Sunday we wonder: Why did Jesus have to suffer and die? Some years ago I preached a series on the various factors that led Jesus to die. In the pages of the Gospels we find various reasons given that led Jesus to the cross of Golgotha. Jesus’ outright declaration of divine character was blasphemous to the religious authorities. Jesus’ claims of superiority over the Sabbath regulations and his teaching authority brought jealousy—murderous jealousy which led religious authority to plan his death. Satan’s indwelling and control over Judas had a major role in Jesus’ death. The political threat perceived by Pilate and Herod was also a contributing factor to the crucifixion. Jesus even told his disciples that his suffering and resurrection were things written about him in the pages of the Old Testament. Each of these reasons combined and possibly all of them combined finally led to Jesus’ death.

On the second announcement of his death, Jesus pleaded with his disciples to keenly pay attention to his words, but even so they did not understand what he was telling them. They were afraid to ask him for clarifications (Luke 44-45). Again the question: Why did Jesus have to die?

When we read what Jesus did during the Last Supper, there he gave his disciples and to us the clearest reason for his death. These are the words of Luke:

Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood . . .” (19-20).

Included in that plural “you” are you and me. Jesus clearly says that his death is for our benefit. Jesus died for you and me. We are direct beneficiaries of his death. He was going to die, not for those who refused to believe or those who wanted his death, although they could also benefit from it, but Jesus said that his body was to be broken for the sake of those who sat around the table. At that moment even Judas was included as a possible beneficiary of Jesus’ death.

My dear brothers and sisters, today we are around the table of the Lord. And we are the direct beneficiaries of his vicarious death. He addresses us this morning reminding us that his body was broken for our sake. He is reminding us that his blood was shed for our redemption, for the washing away of our sins. He is reminding us that as we participate by eating the bread and drinking the cup at his table that we should also look forward to the day he will break bread the day the kingdom of God is fulfilled.

Please come to the Lord’s Table. He is inviting each of us. Amen!

 

Pastor Romero