Luke 22:14-23

¹⁴ When the hour came, he took his place at the table and the apostles with him. ¹⁵ 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 until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” ¹⁷ Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves; ¹⁸ for I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” ¹⁹ Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” ²⁰ And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. ²¹ But see, the one who betrays me is with me, and his hand is on the table. ²² For the Son of Man is going as it has been determined, but woe to that one by whom he is betrayed!” ²³ Then they began to ask one another which one of them it could be who would do this. (NRSV)

Communion has held deep meaning for me since childhood. It always meant a lot to me that I was able to take part in this great sacrament with the adults. It always made me feel that I was welcome to God’s table and to His family. Each time I receive the bread, I remember that I am part of a large and wonderful family of God. How wonderful it is that we can freely and boldly come to his table and eat in His presence! We can receive the bread and remember that God sends His Son, Jesus Christ to die for our sins. We can receive the wine and remember that Jesus Christ shed His precious blood so that we might live with Him for eternity.

We are all Judas. We are all Barabbas. All have sinned and betrayed Jesus. All are worthy of punishment. But God in His great and powerful grace has released us and substituted His Son, instead. May we all remember and be grateful. May we all live as Lazarus, risen by the power of the Almighty.

God bless you,

Pastor Don

According to the Common Lectionary, other readings for this week include: Luke 23:1-49, Isaiah 50:4-9a; Psalm 31:9-16, Philippians 2:5-11