Lent Midweek: Part 1 - The Lord’s Supper

***Note: Throughout the season of Lent, we hear the Passion readings drawn from the Four Gospels. This is part 1 of the readings based upon the Institution of the Lord’s Supper.***

***Second Note: This sermon is written in the immediate aftermath of my mother’s death and funeral.***

+INJ+

As I reflect on memories of my mother, it’s hard not to think or have memories of family dinners. Especially those around the holidays.

She would prepare, make the food, set the table, and assign the seats – you couldn’t have the left-handed family members sitting next to the right-handed. There was much to be done, and it required great thought, attention, and love.

Family meals are important; they reflect community and intimacy. Not just anyone can approach your table, sit down, and join in the conversation or feast alongside you.

No, meals are for families, friends, brothers and sisters. And for this reason, a table is exclusive because a meal together confesses unity, understanding, and love for one another.

This is what we heard in tonight's reading regarding the institution of the Lord’s Supper. We heard,
When the hour was come, Jesus sat down and the apostles with him. As they were eating, he said, “I have longed to eat this Passover with you before I suffer, for I say to you I shall not eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.”

This meal was not for anyone; this meal on this night was for Jesus and His Disciples. It was an intimate affair. Because it is here Jesus gives to them and His Church a table to gather around, to receive, and know where forgiveness is located for them and for us.

The Gospel of Matthew records,
Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” And He took a cup, and when He had given thanks He gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” (Matthew 26:26-28)

Why was this meal established?

“For the forgiveness of sins.”

Not just anyone can receive the forgiveness of sins; only the contrite, those who are sorry and confess their sins. For this reason, Jesus is not speaking to the world here as He institutes the Lord’s Supper; he is speaking to His disciples, His apostles, and the Church gathered around His table. His family.

And yet, Jesus institutes this meal and prepares it for us, even as He knows He is about to suffer and die upon the cross.

How great is His love for us, His dear children, to provide for us even as He prepares for His death? To institute a meal for us to come and gather around, to receive the forgiveness of sin and be united with the Church in heaven and on earth.

You see, the Apostle Paul went on to write regarding the Lord’s Supper, “The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?” (1 Corinthians 10:16) 

And here is the great news that we already know: the cross was not the end; it did not defeat Jesus. Rather, Jesus lives, and for those who live in Christ and for those who die in Christ, they remain and abide in Christ.

For this reason, the Sacrament of the Altar, the Lord’s Supper, is a family affair. It’s where we gather together to confess our faith in Christ Jesus. It’s where His preparations to suffer and die for us are now faithfully received by us in the form of bread and wine for the forgiveness of sin. It’s where heaven and earth are joined together, where heaven and earth kiss, and we are once again connected and joined with all the faithful departed – because in Christ Jesus, we are one.

So come to the meal Christ has prepared and instituted for you regularly and often. Come and be fed the food of eternal life and the forgiveness of sin. Come and join in heaven’s song as we receive yet again – a foretaste of the feast to come.

Because Jesus lives, and in Him, we live eternally. +INJ+

 ***The photo below was taken of my mother and me on Mother’s Day last year.***