14 When the time came, Jesus and the apostles sat down together at the table. 15 Jesus said, “I have been very eager to eat this Passover meal with you before my suffering begins. 16 For I tell you now that I won’t eat this meal again until its meaning is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God.”
17 Then he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. Then he said, “Take this and share it among yourselves. 18 For I will not drink wine again until the Kingdom of God has come.”
19 He took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this to remember me.”
20 After supper he took another cup of wine and said, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you.
21 “But here at this table, sitting among us as a friend, is the man who will betray me. 22 For it has been determined that the Son of Man must die. But what sorrow awaits the one who betrays him.” 23 The disciples began to ask each other which of them would ever do such a thing.
24 Then they began to argue among themselves about who would be the greatest among them. 25 Jesus told them, “In this world the kings and great men lord it over their people, yet they are called ‘friends of the people.’ 26 But among you it will be different. Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant. 27 Who is more important, the one who sits at the table or the one who serves? The one who sits at the table, of course. But not here! For I am among you as one who serves.
S(cripture) - After supper he [Jesus] took another cup of wine and said, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you.
O(bservation) - In Middle East culture, enemies cannot share a meal together. To break bread meant that one was at peace with everyone at the table. Judas was at the table - the one who Jesus broke bread with. The bread he broke was his body. Every time we break bread in his name, it becomes his body - which mean's Christ is present. Where do we worship? Every where Christ is present. Where is Christ present? In this meal. Where two or three are gathered. With the least and the last and the lost, thirsty, hungry, naked, lonely. Lonely women at wells. . . .
A(pplication) - Do you say grace at meals? ALL meals? meals at restaurants? Don't you want to invite Jesus into every meal? Don't you want to invite your friends into the meals where Jesus is present? Don't you want them to have peace with Jesus? Don't you want to bless?
P(rayer) - Abba, why is it so hard for us to take that which is so much a part of our lives - a meal or a cup of coffee - and share it with You and with our neighbors? Teach us to share our food with your blessing. Teach us to share our meals to bless others. Right now, bring to mind those people that you want us to invite to break bread. Speak names into us. Imprint faces onto us. Then give us courage to pray and invite. Amen.
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