Defining Our Community
Luke 22:13-23
#WorldCommunion
INTRODUCTION… COMMUNITY DISTINCTIVES (p)
Every group we are a part of has rules, traditions, meanings behind phrases, and reasons for doing what they do when they gather together. These traditions or words make the group unique and give them an identity. Let me share with you some examples:
* Where I went to college, there was a paved circle that went around the main building of campus. It was a tradition that if a guy and girl walked around that circle three times that they would get married. Kind of a silly thing, but it was part of the tradition of the school.
* My sister went to Texas A&M and there the phrase “Gig ‘Em Aggies” is followed by a thumbs up. I have no idea what an Aggie, “gig ‘em” or even a thumbs up has to do with each other, but I am betting that if I went to Texas A&M all of those things would be understood by me.
* When you go into any store on any US Military base, especially overseas, it is customary to show your military ID at the door to get in and is always required when checking out. It is just what you do and an expected rule that is known. No ID, no purchase.
* Apparently, at US Presidential debates, it is customary to argue and argue and get nothing accomplished so that people turn off the debate and wonder what just went on. Well, maybe that is not a tradition and doesn’t fit with this list, but does seem to be a normal tradition.
* Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, the Masonic Lodge, and other organizations all have traditional ways of using hands to greet one another, salute, communicate, and say pledges. A person would not know the hand signs and has to be taught them once a part of the group.
* Holidays often have these types of traditions… wearing green on St. Patricks Day or eating turkey on Thanksgiving, but someone from another country may not have those traditions. Certainly Christmas traditions vary from country to country and some of them would be unknown to us if we were in their country at Christmas time.
What does all of this mean? My point is that there are groups and holidays and sports teams that have traditions and rituals that make you part of the group. Once you know the tradition, you are more a part of what is going on. Most of the time traditions and rituals have significance and a meaning behind them that are treasured by the people who are in the group.
They mean something specific to the group members.
They identify the values of the group.
They tie the current members to people who have been there before.
This morning, we are going to read a passage where Jesus Christ does something that absolutely defines who we are as Christians. Today is World Communion Sunday. Now that is not a yearly tradition we keep here at NBCC, but it is a worthy one that we are taking part in today. All over the world, Christians of various flavors and traditions are focusing on the Lord’s Supper as a central distinctive of our faith. I like that! We are going to focus on Communion today as well! Let’s read from Luke 22 and discover how Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper and how it makes us a unique and particular community of believers.
READ Luke 22:13-23
“They left and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover. 14 When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. 15 And he said to them, "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God." 17 After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, "Take this and divide it among you. 18 For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes." 19 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me." 20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. 21 But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table. 22 The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed, but woe to that man who betrays him." 23 They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this.”
PREPARATION AND EAGERNESS (verses 13-15)
We see two truths presented as the passage begins that describes the Last Supper.
First, we find that Jesus had prepared for this time with His disciples. Jesus had given two disciples instructions on where to go and how to find the place for their meal. Verse 13 tells us that the disciples found everything exactly as He described. There was an upper room. There was enough room for all of them. There was a table big enough for all of them. Food and drink was available. We don’t know how Jesus prepared it, but it was all prepared for them. We don’t know if Jesus talked with people beforehand or if this was a miracle Jesus divinely performed, but when it came time for Jesus and His disciples to eat the Passover meal, it was all prepared.
Second, we find that Jesus was eager to eat this meal with His disciples. We know this because Jesus says those exact words! Jesus wanted to eat this meal with His disciples. He looked forward to it. He felt anticipation over it. I can imagine that He got more and more sentimental as the Cross loomed closer and closer. The men around the table with Him were His friends and real world changers.
The reason Jesus prepared this time and was eager to share it with His disciples was because it was very important not only for them, but for all believers after them. This meal that He was going to share with them was not just another meal, but one that would have a great amount of significance. The meal was already significant in that it was the Passover Meal. The Passover Meal celebrated and remembered when God “passed over” the Israelites in Egypt and their first born did not die (Exodus 12) and immediately after were released from slavery. This meal would take on new significance as Jesus Christ tied it directly to the new covenant which would be signed for with His blood.
ILLUSTRATION… Running in the Tough Mudder Race (p)
In 2012, I had the pleasure and the fun to run in my first of two Tough Mudder Races. A Tough Mudder Race is a 12 mile run and obstacle course that is full of cold water, tall obstacles, much mud, electrical shocks, fire, and heavy things to carry. As you can imagine, doing a 12 mile obstacle course is not something you just wake up and do… although I am sure there are folks that can do that. It takes training. It takes stamina and practice. The next year my dad ran with me and he prepared by sitting in an ice cold bath at times. Such an undertaking takes preparation. I also remember the feeling of eagerness. Before the race there is an announcer who jazzes up all the participants and relays important information. It is exciting and everyone is eager to begin the race that they have prepared so hard for. The feeling of eagerness is on each person’s face.
As we begin to think about the Last Supper and Jesus instituting Communion for us, we cannot forget the preparation and the eagerness.
THANKFULNESS (verses 16-18)
We also discover in the midst of this meal that Jesus was extremely thankful. Jesus during the meal offers thanks. What in the world does Jesus have to be thankful for? We know that He knows what is about to happen in a few hours. He knows He will be betrayed. He knows He will be arrested. He knows He will be beaten, whipped, punched, spit on, stripped naked, nailed, and eventually suffocate to death. Oh yeah… lots to be thankful for!
But wait, Jesus is thankful.
What is He thankful for? Jesus actually mentions it twice in verses 16-18 and tells us exactly what He is thankful for in the midst of His foreknowledge about what is to come. In both verse 16 and in verse 18, Jesus mentions the “Kingdom of God.” Jesus is thankful that the Kingdom of God is at hand and has arrived and will absolutely change life for His Creation. You see the permanent presence of the Kingdom of God was ushered in when Jesus was born and He rules in it.
The Kingdom of God means salvation from sins.
The Kingdom of God means forgiveness.
The Kingdom of God means freedom from guilt.
The Kingdom of God means an intimate relationship with God the Father is possible.
The Kingdom of God means the presence of the Holy Spirit.
The Kingdom of God means assurance of Heaven with God forever.
ILLUSTRATION… SYMBOLS OF THANKFULNESS (p)
I was thinking about symbols of thankfulness. The first one that came to mind for some reason was the Statue of Liberty. The Statue of Liberty was a gift from the people of France that was dedicated in October of 1886 for many reasons. One of them was thankfulness for the efforts between the countries in the cause of freedom. The second symbol of thankfulness was turkey at Thanksgiving. The turkey is an edible symbol of thankfulness for food, money, houses, and material things that we have. Turkey is associated with thankfulness on Thanksgiving. I also thought of a simple thank you card. It is customary after receiving a gift or going to an event, that a person sends a thank you card. A thank you card symbolizes the thanks and the thoughtfulness behind the person’s attitude of thanks. A card shows you really are thankful.
After Jesus and His disciples had been eating for a while, Jesus shifts the focus of the disciples to something new He wanted to do with them. Something He wanted to do for them. Something they would do on their own in the future. While at this meal, Jesus instituted Communion, the Lord’s Supper, the Eucharist, the Love Feast, or whatever you might want to call it. The Lord’s Supper consists of two elements which have very important meanings.
PARTAKING OF THE BREAD (verse 19)
Verse 19 shares with us that while Jesus was sitting with His disciples, He took bread and had them eat. Now this was not just Jesus feeding them, but He said some very specific words relating to Him and relating to everything He was about to experience on the cross.
Jesus says “this is my body, given for you.” Jesus wanted us to remember two things when it comes to the bread.
The bread first symbolizes the body of Jesus. Jesus physically was beaten for us. Jesus physically was nailed to a cross for us. Jesus endured much physical injury and pain for us. The physical suffering that Jesus endured for you and for me was no small thing, but quite significant. Therefore, we remember the bodily suffering and death of Jesus.
The bread secondly symbolizes Jesus’ willingness to do this for us. Jesus endured a false trial for us. Jesus was beaten for us. Jesus stayed on the cross for us. All of what Jesus endured was for our benefit and had nothing to do with His needs. The purpose of Jesus’ life, ministry, death, and resurrection were all for us that we might have the opportunity to have an active authentic relationship with God.
Hebrews 10:5-7 says, “Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said: "Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; 6 with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased. 7 Then I said, 'Here I am-- it is written about me in the scroll-- I have come to do your will, O God.'"
PARTAKING OF THE CUP (verse 20)
Verse 20 shares with us that while Jesus was sitting with His disciples, He took a cup filled with wine (fruit of the vine) and had the disciples drink. Now this was not just Jesus giving them something to drink and helping with thirst, but rather He had some very specific words relating to Him and everything He was about to experience on the cross.
Jesus says, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.” Jesus wanted us to remember two things when it comes to the cup.
The cup, or rather the juice or wine in the cup, symbolizes the blood of Jesus. You and I must understand that death is the result of our sin. Blood has to pay for wrongdoing. Blood has to pay for errors. It is our blood that is required because we are the ones who have done wrong and erred. You owe God because of your sin. That is true and will always be true. What is also true is that Jesus paid a substitutionary price for our sins. If you accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, He pays the price for your sin with His blood.
The cup, or rather the juice or wine in the cup, symbolizes the new covenant that Jesus was the sacrifice for. The word covenant means “agreement.” The Old Agreement was outlined in the Old Testament and stipulated that the blood of bulls and goats rolled back the sin of people until the next sacrifice which left the people temporarily holy. The New Agreement stipulates that the blood of Jesus pays for the sin of the people as a sacrifice once and for all which leaves the people permanently holy. The New Covenant or the new agreement is directly tied to the blood of Jesus.
Hebrews 10:15-20 reminds us, “The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says: 16 "This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds." 17 Then he adds: "Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more." 18 And where these have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin. 19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body.”
BETRAYAL AND DEATH (verses 21-23)
All of what Jesus speaks about with His disciples with the Bread and Cup predict His death on the cross. Verses 21-23 outline for us that Jesus’ path to the cross would be one that begins with betrayal and ends with death. The betrayal would not be a stranger or an acquaintance, but rather one of the men sitting at the table with Him. The betrayal would begin the actual events that lead to Jesus hanging on the cross.
As we think about the Lord’s Supper, we must realize that the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is what makes Christianity different from all other religions or philosophies or perceived paths to God. Jesus is God’s One and Only Son who died on a cross willingly for us. His death is the key to everything that Jesus did with the disciples at that Last Supper.
Jesus knew this would always be His path:
Matthew 26:2 says, "As you know, the Passover is two days away-- and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified."
Luke 18:31-33 says, “Jesus took the Twelve aside and told them, "We are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. 32 He will be handed over to the Gentiles. They will mock him, insult him, spit on him, flog him and kill him. 33 On the third day he will rise again."
The purpose of Communion is to point is to the reality of the Death of Jesus and the meaning for us who believe in Him. Communion is for believers. It is for us to remember Jesus’ sacrifice for us.
INVITE SERVERS TO COME FORWARD AND BE SEATED
WHAT DEFINES OUR COMMUNITY?
I also happen to think that Communion defines who we are as believers. Communion focuses us on Jesus who is the center of our identity as Christians. We are the people of Jesus who celebrate and are thankful for His death, burial, and resurrection.
As we partake of the Lord’s Supper today, I would like to draw your attention to the same elements present in the passage that we have looked at today:
Preparation: Prepare yourself in prayer as we get ready to remember Jesus
Eagerness: Have eagerness in your heart to spend this time with God
Thankfulness: Have more than anything else, a feeling of thankfulness inside you for Jesus Christ
Body of Jesus: Be thankful and humbled by the pain Jesus endured on the cross
Blood of Jesus: Be thankful and humbled by the cost of our freedom from sin
Meaning of the Death of Jesus: Believe and know that it is only by Jesus that we are Saved
LEAD IN COMMUNION
CONCLUDE IN PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
