COMMUNION THROUGH THE EYES OF JOHN 12 11
Uncover table. Read.
- Luke 22:14-23
Pray.
> Luke 22:19 (HCSB) And He took bread, gave thanks, broke it, gave it to them, and said, “This is My body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.”
We are about to celebrate a memorial meal. A meal given to us by Jesus Christ Himself, that He says is to be used to remember Him by. But, what is it specifically that we are to remember about Jesus? What are we to think about and remember as we share this meal together?
Let’s ask John, the “Beloved Disciple” what things stand out in his mind as he thinks about Jesus. What are the things he thinks are especially important to remember?
- John 1:1-5
I. JESUS IS ETERNAL – vv 1-2
Some people think of Jesus as having arrived on the scene in Bethlehem. My friends, I want you to understand that Jesus didn’t start in Bethlehem. He didn’t begin in Mary’s womb. Jesus has always been. John tells us that He was in the beginning with the Father.
Parents. Grandparents, as we celebrate this Christmas season together, as we sing carols and talk about the Baby Jesus, explain to your children and grandchildren that although Jesus was born as a baby in Bethlehem, that He had been around for a long time.
Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. Nothing has happened that He is unaware of and there is nothing that can or will come your way that He is unaware of. He is eternal.
- OK John, Jesus is eternal. What else shall we remember as we share this meal?
II. JESUS IS GOD – v1
When you ask people what they think about Jesus or ask them Who He is, they will say many things. The muslims will tell you He was a prophet. Others will tell you He was a good man, or a good example, or a Jewish miracle-worker.
The Mormons will tell you He is an older-brother and that we can become like him.
Jehovah’s False Witnesses will tell you that He is a god.
Listen, the Bible tells us that Jesus is not “a” god, but that He is God.
He’s not one of many, but one of a kind.
Because you can talk about Jesus as a baby in a manger, and you can talk about Him as a good example, and you can run around with WWJD bracelets on your wrists, cross earrings dangling you’re your ears, and crosses tattooed on your bellybutton, without people getting too upset; but when you start talking about Jesus being God and people needing to know Him, folks will get upset.
Isaiah prophesied:
> Isaiah 40:3 A voice of one crying out: Prepare the way of the Lord in the wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert.
The writer of Hebrews describes Him
> Hebrews 1:8 but about the Son: Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, and the scepter of Your kingdom is a scepter of justice.
The angel said in Luke 2:11
> Luke 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.
An angel told Joseph in Matthew 1:23
> Matthew 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a Son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, “God with us”.
Doubting Thomas after seeing the resurrected Lord, called Him in John 20:28 …”My Lord and My God.”
He is Emmanuel, “God with us.”
But John says, “I remember Him. He is eternal, and He is God.”
What else do you remember John? I remember that Jesus is the Creator.
III. JESUS IS THE CREATOR OF ALL THINGS
Our founding fathers said, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal and that they are endowed by their Creator, with certain inalienable rights …”
How sad is it that our founding fathers, in the documents that brought about the formation of our country, were able to speak of a Creator that we are no longer able to mention in polite conversation or in many public settings. But John says, “I remember that Jesus is the Creator!”
This past April, across our country, people gathered in many locations to celebrate the Earth Day Birthday. Can you believe that? The Earth Day Birthday. They celebrated a birthday to the earth when they complain about us celebrating Christmas and recognizing the birth of Christ.
Someone even took the music from “The Twelve Days of Christmas” and rewrote the words for Earth Day.
On the twelfth Earth Day birthday the wide world gave to me:
12 wolves a howling
11 seals a swimming
10 bison grazing
9 turtles hatching
8 cranes a dancing
7 whales a breaching
6 owls a hooting
5 spotted fawns
4 salmon leaping
3 panthers creeping
2 Grizzles sleeping
and a bald eagle in a blue sky.
They’ve even put that blasphemy in a children’s book. Can you imagine such nonsense? If that isn’t enough to make you gag, I don’t know what is.
How right was God when He warned through Paul in Romans 1:25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served something created instead of the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
Listen my friends, all things were created by and for God, for Jesus Christ is the Creator.
> Ephesians 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ.
Speaking of Jesus, Paul writes in:
> Colossians 1:16 because by Him everything was created, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities— all things have been created through Him and for Him.
Jesus Christ is eternal. Jesus Christ is God. Jesus Christ is the Creator, and Jesus Christ is life.
IV. JESUS IS LIFE
Since Jesus is the Creator, He is the source of all physical life. Jesus Himself said, “I Am the Way, the Truth and the Life.”
- New Life
Some people spend their whole lives dying. They’re just marking time until this life is over. Yesterday morning, a good friend of mine passed away. Let me tell you, she was a Christ-follower and she, like other Christ-followers do not spend their days dying, simply marking time until this life ends. For Christ followers:
a) Their lives are marked with purpose. We are Ambassadors of the Lord Jesus Christ. Turn to someone near you and tell them, “You are a representative! You are an Ambassador of Jesus Christ! Ambassadors …
You may be a construction worker, but you are really an ambassador, a representative of Jesus Christ, making a living at construction. You may be a computer programmer, or a salesman, or a teacher, but you are really an ambassador of Jesus Christ simply making a living in that position.
You may be a house-wife – No, model of a Christ-loving, spouse honoring mother/grandmother, instilling a love of God and a vision for the future into the lives; the hearts and minds, of those God has entrusted to you.
c) Life in the future – Aches & pains may increase, but it just means I’m that much closer to finishing this race, I’m just that much closer to home.
Marathon runner.
V. JESUS IS THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD
People wrapped up in sin & immorality, ungodliness. I can’t help it. That’s the world we live in.
Jesus came at a time …
Jesus came as light …
1. Resisted temptation
2. De-masked the religious pretenders – Shined a light on their futile worship.
If you’re happy where you are, don’t get near Jesus, because He’ll shine a light in the dark recesses of your heart & expose the roaches hiding there.
a. Pride
b. Jealousy
c. Bitterness & unforgiveness
VI. JESUS IS THE GIFT OF GOD AND THE SAVIOR OF THE
WORLD
It’s the time of year when children are thinking about the gifts they want and adults are frantically running around trying to get gifts for folks. Well listen, Jesus is the greatest gift the world has ever been given.
- John 3:16
VII. JESUS IS THE GOOD SHEPHERD
John 10, Who lays down His life for His Sheep.
VIII. JESUS IS YOUR SOURCE
Chapter 15 – the Vine
Do this in remembrance of Me.
