The Lord's Supper

Today's Reading
17And when it was evening, he came with the twelve. 18And as they were reclining at table and eating, Jesus said, "Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me." 19They began to be sorrowful and to say to him one after another, "Is it I?" 20He said to them, "It is one of the twelve, one who is dipping bread into the dish with me. 21For the Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born."

22And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, "Take; this is my body." 23And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. 24And he said to them, "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. 25Truly, I say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God."

26And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
~ Mk 14:17-26.

Reflection
The Lord's Supper has been made the subject of many artistic creations. The interpretations may be different, but the message is the same. This supper was not only instruction to do this in remembrance of him, but that someday we will enjoy this meal in Heaven with all of God's redeemed people. His body is represented by the bread broken just as his body was broken to save us. The blood reminds us that his blood was poured out for us but it also represents the covenant he made to all who believe in him. (If we believe in him, and have faith in his word, we will be saved.) By celebrating this meal we will be reminded of this promise.

He also makes it very clear that anyone who betrays the son of man would be better off not to have ever been born. Believe and be saved, don't believe and you have nothing-no life, no future, no hope. What a powerful statement! As believers, we believe our only future is the one with him in Heaven. If you do not go to Heaven, there is nothing. Our lives, no matter how long, are but a speck of dust in the universe and a very brief moment in time. So when he refers to "better off not ever being born" I think about all those people who have had the opportunity to hear Christ's message and deny it for this brief life we live today. Refuse to have faith in his word and you will have no future with God once this life is over.

I pray often for my older sons because while they were growing up, I was lost in my faith. As a result, I did not provide the Christian foundation and education that they should have had. We went to Church at Easter and Christmas and rarely at any other time. The foundation was weak but they did hear the message of Christ and both were baptized. I know that our Lord stands by the covenant he made with us at the last supper, so I know there is hope for them. I know that in my own life experience, I strayed from him, but the Spirit tugged at my heart and brought me back. Although I tried to deny it, I knew in my soul that by denying my faith, I would have no future with him. So I believe now that he will tug at their hearts as well and bring them back to him.

Response
1. Was there a time in your life that you denied the Son of Man?
2. What brought you back to the Lord's covenant?
3. Do you remember a time when the Lord tugged at your heart?

About the Author
Joyce Feldman has been a member of CCPC for approximately 2 years, but has been attending for 4 years. Previously, she was a member of CPC in Danville. She is a local insurance agent, lives and works in San Ramon, is married to Bruce and has three sons ages 32, 30 and 13.