one who serves

Scripture: Luke 22

When the hour came, he took his place at the table, and the apostles with him. He said to them, ‘I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I tell you, I will not eat it^* until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.’ Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he said, ‘Take this and divide it among yourselves; for I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.’ 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.’ 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.^* But see, the one who betrays me is with me, and his hand is on the table. For the Son of Man is going as it has been determined, but woe to that one by whom he is betrayed!’ Then they began to ask one another which one of them it could be who would do this.
 A dispute also arose among them as to which one of them was to be regarded as the greatest. But he said to them, ‘The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you; rather the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.

Observation:

Known as the Last Supper, this is the Passover meal Jesus and his disciples eat together before he is executed.  Passover is the Jewish celebration of their liberation from slavery. (See Book of Exodus chapters 1-12).  God rescued them from their Egyptian oppressors.  That story is really very dark.  The order of Pharaoh to kill all firstborn male Hebrew babies, an order from which Moses was saved by Pharaoh's own daughter, was carried out years later by God against the Egyptians, including Pharaoh (who lost a son).   God sends death to Egypt to liberate the people of Israel.  In order to escape death, the Hebrews had to slaughter an unblemished lamb, eat it, and spread blood on their doorposts as a sign for death to pass over their homes.  The Passover meal re-presents these events.  Jesus was enacting this meal with his disciples when he changes the meal into something new---Bread and wine become flesh and blood.  He is becoming the Passover Lamb, slaughtered to save them from death and to set them free.  The new covenant is a new promise God makes with God's people; forgiveness of sins, an end to condemnation and punishment, and a way to total peace and life with God.  In the meal, we receive Jesus.  As they sit at the table eating this meal, Jesus teaches them about humility and service.  These are the qualities that characterize Christ and his followers. 

Application:

Meals are signs.  Food is more than physical sustenance.  It carries the weight of divine presence.  God is present in humility and suffering.  God is present in the family gathering around the table.  God is present in the one who serves.  This God is no all-powerful Genie, no warrior King.  This God is disguised as a humble teacher who gets executed as a criminal.  Before he goes, he institutes a new meal to remember him.  His body and blood, no one elses, sets us free.  You don't have to be a sacrifice or a scapegoat.  You don't have to try to save people.  You don't have to do anything at all.  Trust that God has done what was necessary for you to have life.  Trust that you are loved.  Trust that simple things like water and bread and wine carry the power of God to us.  Also, life is about service to others.  Your best life and mine comes when we attend to other people, when we put other people's needs before ourselves.  On Good Friday, we see a man who gave his life.  He did so because he loves us. 

Prayer:
Lord, on the night you were arrested, you took bread and cup, gave thanks, and gave it to your disciples saying; "Take and eat, this is my body for you", "take and drink, this is the new covenant in my blood for you", "remember me."  As often as we eat and drink it, we proclaim the saving power of your death.  Amen.