John 13:18-30; Matthew 26:31-35; 1st Corinthians 11:23-32
As we think about Jesus’ last supper with His disciples there were 12 men around the table with Jesus. They came from different backgrounds, they had different experiences, they had different personalities, they had different needs, and different thoughts were running through their minds that night.
The same is true for us today as we come to The Lord’s Table. We come from different backgrounds, we have different personalities, we have different experiences, different needs, we have different thoughts about the meaning of The Lord’s Supper and we have different expectations from celebrating this sacrament this morning.
As we think back to that night 2000 years ago, The Lord’s Supper meant nothing to at least one of the 12 disciples. Obviously, The Lord’s Supper meant nothing to Judas Iscariot. Judas had already decided to betray Jesus. The other 11 disciples were not aware of what was going on. Judas was with them and Judas appeared to love Jesus and Judas appeared to be loyal to Jesus. Only Jesus knew how Judas really felt. Sadly, receiving The Lord’s Supper means nothing to some Christians today. To others The Lord’s Supper is only a ritual we celebrate each month. Only you and The Lord know how you really feel about The Lord’s Supper. The Apostle Paul reminds us that we are to examine ourselves before we come to The Lord’s Table.
To some of the disciples at The Lord’s Supper 2000 years ago The Lord’s Supper meant a time of personal examination. When Jesus said, “One of you will betray me” some of the 12 were so unsure of their own commitment that they had to ask, “Lord, is it I?” As you examine yourself this morning and if you are unsure of your commitment to our Lord, remember the Apostle Peter, with the help of the Holy Spirit, was able to turn his wavering faith into dedicated productive discipleship that is a model for all of us to follow today. The Apostle Paul reminds us to examine ourselves before we come to The Lord’s Table.
To some of the disciples at The Lord’s Supper 2000 years ago it meant expressing love. The Apostle John identifies himself as “the disciple whom Jesus loved”. Obviously Jesus loved all of the disciples but there was a special bond of love between Jesus and John. John’s love may have been so strong and certain that John was able to express it and to put it in outward acts of support and action. There is no question of John’s love for Jesus. John did not have to ask, “Lord, is it I?” As we examine ourselves this morning can we identify with the Apostle John’s love for our Lord? Are we able to express our love for Jesus to our friends and … are we able to put our love for Jesus into action as we go about our daily routine?
To some of the disciples at The Lord’s Table that night The Lord’s Supper meant loyalty. Only four of the 12 disciples are mentioned in the Bible by name after that night. However, there were 8 other disciples there. What about these 8? For the most part the Bible does not record the names of the other 8 disciples after this night. I believe they were the unsung heroes in advancing the Gospel. Unnamed, unsung heroes are a vital part of any team effort. Most of us can name the Raven’s quarterback but how many of us can name the Raven’s front line? The same is true in the Church. Most of you know my name, but most of us do not know the names of Hamilton’s unsung heroes; the ones who clean the church, the ones who pick up the trash around the church, the one who pays the bills, manage the investments, and the loyal saint who folds the bulletins each and every week.
To some of the disciples at The Lord’s Table that night The Lord’s Supper meant forgiveness.
Before we come to the table, we need to examine ourselves by focusing on our sinful acts, our sinful nature, and our shortcomings. But also, when we come to The Lord’s Table we need to focus on Jesus. For Jesus, The Last Supper meant forgiveness. Jesus voluntarily shed His blood to pay the price and the penalty for our sins and for our sinful natures. Jesus voluntarily gave His life so that we could have live. Jesus voluntarily took our place on the cross so that we could be with Him both now and throughout eternity. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” This is a time for all of us to have our filthy sinful nature washed in the shed blood of Christ. This is truly a time of a new beginning if we will truly repent. Is coming to The Lord’s Table a time of forgiveness for you?
As we come to The Lord’s Table this morning, we all need to examine ourselves. Ask yourself, “What does coming to The Lord’s Table really mean to me”? Is this just a meaningless ritual to you? Does coming to the Table mean an outward expression of your love and your loyalty to Jesus? Do you feel the presence of The Lord when you receive the bread and the cup?Does coming to the Table signify your commitment to carry on the ministry that Jesus started when He was here on earth; a ministry of love and forgiveness; a ministry of reconciling people to God and reconciling people with their neighbor?
We all need to examine ourselves as we come to The Lord’s Table. For you see, as we gather together in Jesus’ name, we are reminded of Jesus’ great love for us and Jesus’ desire to have a personal relationship with each of us. Is it a time of thanksgiving when we remember that Jesus loved us so much and Jesus had such a great desire for us to be with Him that He voluntarily gave His life for us. We come to The Lord’s Table to remember Jesus’ death, we come to The Lord’s Table to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection, and we come to The Lord’s Table in anxious anticipation of Jesus’ coming again.
Will you pray with me? Father as we come to your table help us to honestly examine ourselves so that we can see ourselves as you see us. May it be a time of recommitting ourselves to Jesus and advancing His kingdom. Also Lord, give us a vivid mental picture of you suffering and dying on the cross so that we will never forget that you suffered and died for us. You took our place so that we could be with you both now and throughout eternity! Strengthen us, renew us, and give us the desire to live our lives for you. We offer this our prayer in the mighty name of Jesus our Savior and our Redeemer. AMEN