”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.[a]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.” Luke 22.19-23
So Jesus is sitting at the table, reclining. He might appear relaxed but he’s anything but. He’s not afraid or fearful. He’s in the will of the Father. But I can picture him with a type of purposeful intensity. Speaking, sharing, eating, reflecting. It’s his final meal. This is his time to shine. He’s preparing the table (literally) for what will happen next. What Jesus is about to accomplish has been brewing since creation. Jesus is making a way for us to find our way back to God.
And so he takes break and wine and offers them to his followers. He says words about how they are his “body and blood” and that they are to take and do this in remembrance of him. (How can they remember him when they are with him? Could this Greek word ἀνάμνησις (transliterated as “anamnēsis”) and in one instance means “remind,” look a lot like the word amnesia “to forget”? Jesus gave them these tangible symbols, connected to the Passover, as a “reminder” for them not to forget what he was about to do.
The new covenant, which he speaks of, is his blood represented in the cup. But there was one at the table who would betray him, we know him to be Judas, but he had not yet been revealed and so “they began to question among themselves which of them it might who would do this.” Although the betrayal of the Christ would be performed by Judas, everyone at the table was guilty of sin. And everyone who accused him, those who arrested Jesus, who put him on trial and hung him on the cross, they were all guilty of the stain of sin. “There is no one righteous, not even one.” (Romans 3.10)
This is heavy talk for the New Year! Heavy hearts await heavenly rewards. And we have grace and hope through the one who gave his life for a ransom for him. The hope is life with Christ, friendship with God, forgiveness of sins, life everlasting.
Will you embrace this life by submitting to the Christ? Will you receive the sacrifice of Jesus and walk in newness of faith? Draw near to God and he will draw near to you.
In the moment of your stillness
in the quietness of your chaos
allow the Lord to rescue you.
He will find you willing and able to say “yes” to his call
Your answer is your breath, your love and your life
Cry out to him today and find redemption at the ready.
”O Lord God, thank you for loving us. Thank you for saving us. For pulling us up from the muck and mire. From the desolation of our souls. You bring forth light in the Living Word of your Son Jesus. Come now, Holy Spirit, fill us to completion. Help us be all that you have called and created us to be. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen