1. Motionless Man
Bill Fuqua, the Motionless Man, is the Guinness Book of World Records champion at feeling and doing nothing. In fact, he appears so motionless during his routines at shopping malls and amusement parks that he is sometimes mistaken for a mannequin. The sign next to the expressionless face said: "The Motionless Man: Make Him Laugh. Win $100." So several people gave it all they had. For hours they pulled their faces into strange contortions, told jokes, made fun of him, did stunts -- but nothing worked. He was totally unmoved and his face showed no expression.
God did not/does not intend for us to be motionless or emotionless in our relationship with him. The LS is a moving emotional experience that stirs our hearts, the dwelling place of God in our lives.
2. Jesus knew:
* When and how he would die
* That he would bear the weight of the sins of the world on his shoulders
* That He would experience separation from Father -- hell on our behalf
3. In spite of pressure he demonstrated concern for followers -- when he could have expected people to comfort him, he was comforting them: "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. Luke 23.28)
4. Jesus made at least 2 assertions and showed calmness under pressure when he instituted the LS -- Mark 14.12-26
I. Assertion #1: There Must be Intentional Preparation for the Lord's Supper -- v.12
Be Prepared for What You See
Behavioral scientists have discovered that we usually see things that we are prepared to see. This is all centered in a network of nerve cells called the "Reticular Activating System." Everybody has this system.
The "Reticular Activating System." works like this: Once something has been brought to our attention, and we have been prepared to see it, we'll see it virtually everywhere we go.
For example, you decide to buy a new car. You make up your mind that you are going to buy a certain brand, a certain body style, and a certain color. Now, you'll see those cars everywhere. You'll see them on the roads, in TV advertisements, in newspapers and magazines. They're everywhere.
Now what has happened? They were always there, but the moment you were prepared to see them, your Reticular Activating System kicked in, and suddenly you saw them everywhere.
It happens in other areas of life, too. We can prepare ourselves to see the worst or the best, and we do. We can prepare to see God in our assembly times and we will.
A. It could have been exasperating for Jesus
1. with all that was on his mind, he might not want to think about the details of the Passover meal
2. He might have thought that with all of their training, they would be able to prepare the meal and serve HIM
3. Yet, they ask him about preparations -- Like a husband talking to his wife as she packs her clothes to go to the hospital for a serious operation and he asks, "Have you made arrangements for someone to cut the grass while you are gone?"
4. Hard to be patient, but Jesus was -- he did not explode, he told them what to do
B. He had made advanced preparations -- vv. 13-16
1. Normally women carried water; Essene Quarter?
2. This was a signal for the disciples as to where to go
3. Remember, Jesus was a wanted man and could be arrested by the authorities if they found him away from the crowds -- he flew under the radar because he would be arrested on HIS timetable, not theirs
4. Jesus delegated out what needed to be done -- important night with nothing to chance
C. If the Lord's Supper is to be Meaningful to Us, We Must Make Advanced Preparation --
More Than Empty Ritual
The story is told about the baptism of a King by St. Patrick in the middle of the fifth century. Sometime during the ritual, St. Patrick leaned on his sharp-pointed staff and inadvertently stabbed the king's foot. St. Patrick was totally unaware. After the baptism was over, St. Patrick looked down at all the blood, realized what he had done, and begged the king's forgiveness. Why did you suffer this pain in silence, the Saint wanted to know. The king shrugged and replied, "I thought it was part of the ritual."
1. I am not sure that we make much advanced preparation for our worship
2. Conversations before church:
* Why is my breakfast burned? Are you going to be in there all day?
* Where's my bible? I haven't seen it since last Sunday.
* I am going to start the car -- if you aren't out there in 2 minutes I will leave without you and will tell everyone that YOU are the reason I am late each week.
* George, if you would help with the kids instead of barking orders we might be ready.
* Kids bickering in car; Let's at least smile and look happy.
* Why can't we be more like that family?
It takes several minutes to settle down and by the time we do, the LS has passed and we have not really been in a good frame of mind to participate
3. Suggestions for Preparation:
* Reduced late night activity on Saturday night if possible -- reason little happens for us on Sunday AM is because too much happens on Saturday PM; go to bed at reasonable hour
* Play Christian music as getting ready
* Dress accordingly -- we don't need to dress up for God to worship; to impress people; but what if how we dress effects our attitude?
Forbes Magazine, OCT 17, 2013: Is Casual Dress Killing Your Productivity At Work?
"So if you wear a t-shirt and jeans at work...and a t-shirt and jeans on the weekend, can you differentiate between your "work self" and "weekend self"? Does it mean you're in work mode 24/7? Or conversely, are you likely to always be in play mode finding it harder to be productive? Dressing casually could cause an employee to feel less focused and alert says Dr. Karen Pine, professor of psychology at the University of Hertfordshire and fashion psychologist.
Research shows your alertness is affected by what you wear. "The influence of clothes thus depends on wearing them and their symbolic meaning." Some clothes symbolize work; some recreation and we act accordingly."
* Leave 10 minutes early [Several years ago I got to meet our POTUS. I bought a new suit; left early to be sure I could find my way; and so that I could be on time. I was not sure I would get to meet him, but I did -- it was a memorable experience in meeting a special person
* Read through order of worship in advance -- by website; email; in pew -- anticipate the presence of God
II. Assertion #2: There Must be Personal Preparation in the Lord's Supper
A. Jesus made Advanced Preparations and Participated with Imperfect People -- vv. 17-21
1. Under stress we want loyal friends
John 13.21: After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, "Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me."
2. One would betray
a. Jesus was "troubled"; Judas had made arrangements to turn him over to his enemies after dark -- John 13.30: So, after receiving the morsel, he immediately went out; and it was night.
b. Judas was a good actor -- when Jesus spoke of a betrayer the disciples did not know who it was; no one said, I bet it's Judas, I think he's been stealing from our treasury; No -- Is it I? If I was Jesus I would have identified Judas and said -- Haven't you seen him pouting; conniving with the enemy; undercutting me? Jesus' reply --v v. 20-21 (gave Judas opportunity to repent)
c. Another would deny -- Mark 14.27-31
Peter acted like a know it all -- always bragging and continued blowing it
Luke 22.31-32: 31 "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you that he might sift you like wheat, 32 but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers."
d. James and John argued over places of authority -- Greatest is servant of all
[Imagine two ministers requesting personal parking places close to the door -- we are important; actually, ministers are not the exceptions to the rule but the examples
B. Jesus Still Eats the LS with Imperfect People -- just look around
1. People who have been immoral
2. People who have been hurtful to you or friends
3. Can make a barrier between you and the LORD -- Zig Ziglar: If you let a hypocrite come between you and God you will find that makes the hypocrite closer to God than you are.
4. Mark 11.25 And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses." -- practice forgiveness with God and others
[Woman called preacher/Did you notice I did not take LS yesterday?/ No/ Let me tell you why -- I was angry with you b/c I read the prayer list and you left off my aunt who is like my own mother. The bible teaches that we are to leave our gift if we have something against someone, so I did.//Maybe the woman was right in not taking LS with an angry spirit, but maybe she would have been better served if she had bowed her head and prayed, "God, please forgive the preacher for leaving my aunt off the prayer list; please forgive him the way I ask you to forgive me whenever I forget something, especially when I forget you."
LS is a time to reflect on God's forgiveness and an opportunity for us to forgive others
5. Often our own imperfections disturb us in LS -- 1 CR 11.28 -- examine selves -- aware of sins and how far we fall; how often we fail -- Jesus dealt with Judas, Peter, James, and John as well as the others -- LS is for penitent sinners
C. We Prepare for the Lord's Supper and It Helps Prepare Us for Eternity
Alexander the Great came upon his teacher, Aristotle, looking over a pile of bones. Asked what he was doing, the teacher replied "Upon examination, I cannot distinguish the bones of your father from those of his slaves." Soon, even the most powerful man in the world will be nothing but bones--just as you and I. The important question is "And then what?" Jesus answered that question for me with an empty tomb!
1. Make the Connection
Herbert Jackson told how, as a new missionary, he was assigned a car that would not start without a push. After pondering his problem, he devised a plan. He went to the school near his home, got permission to take some children out of class, and had them push his car off. As he made his rounds, he would either park on a hill or leave the engine running. He used this ingenious procedure for two years.
Ill health forced the Jackson family to leave, and a new missionary came to that station. When Jackson proudly began to explain his arrangement for getting the car started, the new man began looking under the hood. Before the explanation was complete, the new missionary interrupted, "Why, Dr. Jackson, I believe the only trouble is this loose cable." He gave the cable a twist, stepped into the car, pushed the switch, and to Jackson's astonishment, the engine roared to life. For two years needless trouble had become routine. The power was there all the time. Only a loose connection kept Jackson from putting that power to work.
2. The Lord's Supper Requires -- Preparation and Participation
3. Remember, in the LS, we find relationship with God through Jesus, not merely a ritual
4. It is a connection to the power of God for our lives!
