Sermon - the Last Supper

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Sermon - the Last Supper ... the Best Supper A few years ago, I had the joy of celebrating a first Christmas with a family. If you were here during the last series, I shared a little about that night, but let me refresh you on it & tell you a little more about it. I was working in youth ministry in Canada when I had the joy & privilege of walking with 2 students, Mo & Abdi who were Somalian immigrants who were Muslim. During our time together, Mo & Abdi came to know & love Jesus, & my family & another family had the awesome joy of celebrating their first Christmas with them. As Muslims, they had never read the Christmas story or celebrated Jesus’ birth. I have to tell you, that night will always be emblazoned in my memories. From the Christmas tree & 1st Christmas ornaments, to the turkey, to Jesus, I was awesome. It was such a special, holy, amazing evening - to see the gospel come alive to people was such a gift. But there was another part to this evening that I will also never forget. In the midst of this beautiful evening, the phone rang! I picked up & it was my Mum. She asked how the evening was going - she knew I was so excited! I said it was amazing! She asked when they were leaving, I said 9ish, she said she’d be there then. I thought that was a little odd - but went back to the party! As the evening wrapped up, we were saying our goodbyes, laughing, smiling & so grateful for this incredible Christmas. My Mum & Step-Dad showed up at the same time, as one family left, my folks walked in. My Mum had the face - you know the one that means something serious. She asked me to sit down. I had no clue what was going on. She looked at me and said, I wanted you to hear in person, your Dad & step-mom were flying his plane in the mountains when the plane crashed & they were both killed. In that moment, everything changed.

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Our celebratory evening just took a side ways turn I never could have anticipated. And that, is where we find ourselves in the text today. We’re going to read a story that many of you have heard before. The Last supper, but I want you to try & hear it a fresh today, feeling the celebration & the wondering as it takes an unexpected sideways turn. The Last Supper is in all 4 of the gospels, but this morning I’d like us to look at the telling from Luke. As we turn to the text together, let’s pray. PRAY Text: Luke 22:7-38 New International Version (NIV) The Last Supper 7 Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. 8 Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.” -- passover was a yearly celebration the Jews had in remembrance of God’s faithfulness of sparing them during the final plague in the book of Exodus. You may remember the story, or the song, “Pharaoh Pharaoh, let my people go!” The plan was for Moses to go back to Egypt and bring the Israelites back to the promise land, but Pharaoh wasn’t hearing it. To convince him that he was up against the God of the universe, God sent plagues against Egypt. Each plague was horrific in it’s own right, Leading up to the final one: the plague of the “first born” where one night the spirit of death would come through each house & the first born in each household would die. Awful. God told his people, that if they put the blood of a

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lamb over their doorways, death would know to “passover” their households. The night of the plague came, while there was great weeping & wailing from Pharaoh’s people, God’s people were beyond grateful for God’s mercy and faithfulness as they began the journey from slavery to the promised land. And so, each year, they would celebrate together & be reminded of God’s faithfulness. In the same way we have traditions surrounding Christmas & our celebration of Christ’s birth, so the disciples were preparing for the Passover, a very special event that signified the freedom of the Jewish people. -9 “Where do you want us to prepare for it?” they asked. 10 He replied, “As you enter the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him to the house that he enters, 11 and say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 12 He will show you a large room upstairs, all furnished. Make preparations there.” -- this seems a little arbitrary, however, it would have been very odd to see a man carrying a jar of water as that was women’s work. And likely saying to him, “The Teacher asks” meant he was likely a follower of Jesus. It was custom that if you had a spare room, you would allow fellow Jews to use this room for passover. -13 They left and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover. -- preparations would have included setting the table a certain way & making sure all the correct food was there, unleavened bread, wine, bitter herbs. -14 When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table.

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-- no, the didn’t have lazy boys, though that would be awesome. It used to be that the Passover meal was eaten standing up. However, in Jesus‘ time it was customary to recline. Jesus was pretty chill -15 And 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 again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.” 17 After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. 18 For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” -- I imagine at this moment, the disciples are now feeling like this supper is taking an unexpected turn. Something is different. -19 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. -- this all sounds familiar to most of us, we say those words each time we come to the communion table, however, to the disciples, this would have sounded very uncommon, shocking perhaps. And then Jesus continues . . . -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. 24 A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. -- I love the humanness of the disciples here. I think sometimes we elevate them in our minds, and they were special no doubt, however, they were also human & earthy. Jesus is just saying one of them will betray him & in the next breath they move from “who’s the worst, to who’s the best?” -4

25 Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. 26 But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. 27 For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. 28 You are those who have stood by me in my trials. 29 And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, 30 so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. -- and then Jesus drops the mic --- what could they say to that? Jesus makes it so clear what He & His Kingdom are about. There’s a reason it’s been called the “upside down kingdom.” He is a king who came as a baby that slept in a feeding trough. He didn’t rule with the elite as was expected, instead he spent his time with the poor, the enslaved, the sick and the hated. He healed, he prayed, he cared and he gave his time to twelve men, who were not the brightest, most loyal or gifted at many moments, and yet he entrusted them to start the church and continue his work. They knew he was about something very different. -31 “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” 33 But he replied, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.” 34 Jesus answered, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.” -- I love Jesus pastoral heart here. He knows that what is to come is going to get tough. We often criticize Peter for his betrayal, and yet, to be fair, the other disciples just took off & I can’t imagine how scary this scene gets. But I love Jesus’ love for Peter, he knows he’ll deny him, there is no doubt and yet he says to him, “I have prayed for 5

you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” Might we all have the courage to turn back so that we might strengthen others. -35 Then Jesus asked them, “When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?” “Nothing,” they answered. They’re thinking back to when Jesus sent them out to minister around Israel. 36 He said to them, “But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. 37 It is written: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors’[b]; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment.” 38 The disciples said, “See, Lord, here are two swords.” “That’s enough!” he replied. -- Jesus is letting the disciples know that the season of ministry is about to change. When he was with them, he encouraged them to know worry about their daily needs, for they would be provided. And they were. And yet now, he’s telling them to plan, to have things ready for the tide is turning and they will need to provide for themselves differently. The comment about the sword historically thought to be a call to be prepared and on watch, not to literally bear arms . . . however, the disciples take that literally, and so Jesus quickly tells them 2 is enough! -This is a dense text. There is SO much that we can look at and dive into in this text. I would encourage you to go back & read it again, think through the various pieces. Today, I want to really focus on who was at the table & Jesus’ response to them. This is one of the things I really appreciate about Da Vinci’s painting of this meal as he does a stunning job of showing us who’s at the table.

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about the painting: This is one of Leonardo's most famous paintings. The Last Supper was painted in the 1490’s for the refectory of the Convent of Santa Maria della Grazie in Milan. So, this painting is on the wall in the room where the monks at their meals. The painting is 15 x 21 feet in size! Huge compared to the framed prints were are used to seeing. Here’s a little bit about Da Vinici himslef . . . Born April 15, 1452 Leonardo was an Italian polymath, painter, sculptor, architect, musician, mathematician, engineer, inventor, anatomist, geologist, cartographer, botanist, and writer. He was a brilliant mind and considered the epitome of a Renaissance man. He had unquenchable curiosity and such an inquisitive mind. And we see this played out in the incredible art we see today. The Last Supper was a common theme to see painted. During early Renaissance art, there was a style and way that this story was depicted. (** Show other painting) Generally, Jesus and the disciples were depicted as similar, holy (halos) & Judas, the traitor, was seated on the other side of the table or off to the side without a halo. That was the common way to see the Last Supper Portrayed. Yet, Da Vinici, with his incredible mind, was determined to create something that spoke more deeply to what he believed was intended by Christ. Highlights: All at the table together - no separation of Judas No space - it feels full & has character/depth No halos as was common - instead light is used (window around Jesus & shadow on Judas) Humanness of the disciples - reactions, personality (Peter’s dagger, John’s serene, Thomas is questioning/pointing) Jesus is central, he is calm, his hands are reaching for the bread & for the cup. One hand is reaching up, one down - to God, to us? Much to see, feel & discern from Leonardo’s incredible art. 7

Painting + text thoughts . . . One of the things I love about this painting of the last supper, that stands out from many other versions, is that everyone is at the table, none are hidden, or shoved away, not even Judas. I believe Da Vinci understood the profound fact that all were invited to the table, even though Jesus knew some of them would turn on him, even in the hours to come. Often, in the church, we are unsure & uncomfortable with the communion table for a number of reasons. Let me first try to respond to a few really common wonderings . . . First, we’re unsure what the bread & wine, body & blood are. Some traditions believe the bread & wine are just symbols. Some traditions believe that the bread & wine actually become the body & blood of Christ as it is ingested. We, in the reform tradition, believe that it is in the middle of that. No, it does not become the literal body & blood, nor do we think it is simply a symbol, we believe that it is a spiritual, holy act as we take the communion as Jesus commanded us to do, in remembrance of him. The difficult questions surrounding communion are usually around who is invited to be at the table? Through out the history of the church, this has been an issue. A major issue. Communion has been used as a divisive tool to show who was in & who was out. Communion has been used as disciplinary tool, withheld when mis steps were taken. And it’s been used as a status symbol. How on earth one could read Jesus supper with his disciples and conclude such things, I do not know!?! Da Vinci’s painting helps us to feel Jesus’ heart in this meal. At this meal, none of Jesus’ circle were excluded, even though Jesus knew 8

what was coming. He was reminding them of his heart, he called them, imperfect as they were and invited them to be with him. He knew, that even though they would walk with him, be part of his miracles, teaching and more, they might still stray. They might still walk away & they might not even turn back - they were still invited. This table was for them. And this table is for you and I. You, who are wanting to & trying to follow Jesus, this table is for you. As imperfect as you may be. Though you may stumble today & you may stumble tomorrow, this table is for you. This table is here to remind you of the God who loves you so much he sent his son for you. That when his son died, his body was broken & his blood was shed to make a new covenant. A promise where his life was traded for our sin. Your sin and mine. This is not to be taken flippantly or lightly, this isn’t a neat symbol or a mid-morning snack. This is a holy moment. A moment where in the midst of our brokenness we’re reminded that we are whole in Jesus. That all the mess, all the sin and all the darkness are no more. It is finished. That is what this table declares. It is finished. It’s not the last supper, it’s the best supper. The only meal that reminds us of our eternal hope. You really are invited. All of you, without judgement or fear, you are welcome. You are invited by the God of the universe to partake in this meal. At this table, you declare that you know, love & desire to follow Jesus with all your life. At this table you declare that there is victory over all the sin in your life. The sin that has been & the sin that is to come. For Christ’s death put sin to death so that you & I may live freely, wholly & confidently in Christ Jesus. Today, as we come to the table, I want to invite you to take a few minutes to pray & reflect. If you’ve never decided to follow Jesus, perhaps this is the day you need to hear the invitation to come to the table. Come eat, let your sin be conquered by Christ & come live!

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If you’ve already decided to follow Jesus, I have no doubt that there are things in your life that feel like they are weighing you down. There are things causing darkness, worry, fear, addiction, damage, lies . . . all things that are contrary to the hope & help Jesus offers you. Would you lay those down before this table. Instead of those things taking root in your life, would you instead be reminded: Phillipians 1:6 says . . . “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Christ Jesus is still at work in you. He is carrying on his good work in you today. And every day. You are made in the image of God. You are sinful and broken, And yet, when you say yes to Jesus, you are redeemed, you are whole & you have new life. Not a slightly better version of yourself, not some tweaks & adjustments, no a NEW life. This is the best supper - the only one that gives us a new life. Completely restored, redeemed and whole. Let’s pray . . . God today we give you the things that still hold us captive, the darkness that has crept in ...

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