By Lonetta McKee
The Lord’s Supper is called the Last Supper for a reason—it was. This was the last meal Jesus and his disciples shared prior to his crucifixion. Jesus’ death occurred very shortly thereafter, so this meal was a memorial of sorts, even though the people attending the dinner did not fully grasp the significance. The group gathered there that evening had questions; they were confused, uncertain, doubtful, fearful, and anxious. Death was in the air.
Praise be to God that today when we gather around the Eucharist table it is a commemoration, a celebration—not a memorial. The Greek meaning of Eucharist is “thanksgiving,” and thankful is exactly what we are when we gather together.
A part of this observance includes vividly recalling Jesus hanging on that cross so we can have salvation and forgiveness—absolved of sin. But another part of this observance is remembrance of a resurrected, vibrantly alive Christ. And because of that, he joins us here. In at least one way, we are different from the twelve disciples, for when we share this meal with Jesus, it is with certainty, complete understanding, assurance, answers, and peace.
Let us declare with absolute certainty that Jesus stands with us at this table. And as this significant time comes to a close, may we be able to say we know he is living. We have just seen Jesus.
Lonetta McKee is a Christian writer living in Los Angeles, Calif. She blogs at “Living Before God’s Face” (livingbeforegodsface.com).
Author: Christian Standard
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