1 Corinthians 11:23-26<\/p>\n\n\n\n
April 9, 2009<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Brief message preached by Rev. Donald Ng at the First Chinese Baptist Church in San Francisco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This was the final meal, the last supper that Jesus would have with his disciples. The disciples knew about the threats from the Pharisees to arrest Jesus if he were to come through the Easter Gate to Jerusalem. He was becoming too much of a challenge to the status quo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So Thursday evening came and they gathered one last time to be with the one they loved and to release unwillingly the dashed hopes of his delivering Israel from the godless clutches of Rome and Pilate. They thought that they too might be dragged in with Jesus and not getting out of Jerusalem alive. Jesus did tell them three times that he was going to Jerusalem to be handed over and be killed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Love commanded their presence and they all gathered in the upper room to let go of their dreams and hopes concerning their beloved Jesus. From Jesus\u2019 last supper with his disciples, Dr. Fred Craddock and Eugene Boring help us to see five directions flowing from the words of institution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. The Lord\u2019s Supper point backward <\/strong>to something that really happened. It points to the Passover in ancient Egypt, to the covenant made with ancient Israel. Now the Last Supper is no longer exclusive but is opened to all disciples who follow Jesus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2. The Lord\u2019s Supper points forward<\/strong> to the future. Since there is one loaf and one cup, it points forward to the time when all Christians can celebrate together the breaking of bread in Jesus name. It points forward to the end of history when everyone comes to the banquet table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3. The Lord\u2019s Supper points outward<\/strong> reminding us that the Christian life is not individualistic or that our church is parochial but that we are to go out beyond the church and into the world, as a testimony to God\u2019s act in Christ Jesus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 4. The Lord\u2019s Supper points inward<\/strong>, not for it to be simply personal but that when we partake of these elements, there\u2019s always an element of self-examination and reflection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 5. And finally the Lord\u2019s Supper points upward <\/strong>to the reality of the divine world and the extraordinary experience that we can have in knowing God through Jesus Christ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After they had their supper, Jesus gave his final commandment to his disciples. The word, \u201cMaundy\u201d means commandment. Jesus said, \u201c I give you a new commandment that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another\u201d (John 13:34-35).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Every time we gather to participate in the Lord\u2019s Supper, we are reminded and commanded by Jesus to love one another just as he loved us. Jesus\u2019 point is that there is nothing another person needs that we are not called upon to provide in Christian love. If we love one another, everyone will know we are Jesus\u2019 disciples. When we have the Lord\u2019s Supper tonight, let us once again remember the Maundy Thursday directions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Let us look backward to the covenant God made with Israel in the Passover.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Let us look forward when all of God\u2019s children can finally be one and no one is left out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Let us look outward to share our testimonial faith with those who are still seeking God\u2019s forgiving love.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Let us look inward to confess that we are still in need of God\u2019s tender mercies and gracious grace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Let us look upward holding to the belief that God is here among us and we are in his presence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And finally, let us follow Jesus\u2019 new commandment to love one another and from our love, everyone will know that we are Jesus\u2019 disciples. Amen.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 April 9, 2009 Brief message preached by Rev. Donald Ng at the First Chinese Baptist Church in San Francisco. This was the final meal, the last supper