IV.
I’d like to pick up today something in my closing remark in the last post – “ … Jesus’ remark’s about ‘body’ and ‘blood’ and ‘forgiveness’ and sharing with them in the ‘kingdom.””

Think about what Jesus “shares” with those at the table.

V.
Matthew 26:17-30 (New Revised Standard Version)

On the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where do you want us to make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?” He said, “Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, My time is near; I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.’” So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover meal.

When it was evening, he took his place with the twelve; and while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.” And they became greatly distressed and began to say to him one after another, “Surely not I, Lord?” He answered, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that one not to have been born.” Judas, who betrayed him, said, “Surely not I, Rabbi?” He replied, “You have said so.”

While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will never again drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

VI.
What do you see Jesus sharing with the disciples?

The borrowed room? The passover meal? His blessing and thanks over the bread and the cup? His asking them to “eat … body … [and] drink … blood”? His mention of covenant and forgiveness and the promise to “drink” again in the kingdom?

We so often take this passage as the model for our practice of eucharist/communion/the Lord’s supper.

Can we look beyond that liturgical practice, and while not diminishing its significance and importance, notice Jesus sharing the table with the disciples and the promise of life in the Father’s kingdom?

Can we put ourselves in that room and at that table?

What does Jesus share with you?

What does Jesus covenant with you?

What does life look like as you approach living in the Father’s kingdom?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}