NOTES FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK

MARCH 2010

 

He took bread and gave thanks…  -Luke 22:19-

 

 

As you pick up these March notes we are now well on our way into the season of Lent.  This particular season culminates with our Lord’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem that marks the beginning of Holy Week.  One of the days of Holy Week that, it seems, tends to get overlooked or, for that matter, taken for granted, is the Thursday in Holy Week.  We know it as Maundy Thursday.  Notoriously, the attendance at worship on Maundy Thursday is always the least among the three holy days.  That is to say, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and, of course, Easter Sunday.  That’s really too bad because what Jesus says and does and gives on Thursday of Holy Week has eternal significance.

 

First of all, I would imagine that many of you reading these notes have heard the term, “Maundy.”  Let me ask you a question.  Do you know what the word means?  If you were to be asked to define this word, how would you respond?  The word Maundy comes from the Old English word for “command.”  Jesus teaches many things to His disciples and to us in that upper room on Maundy Thursday.  One of the most significant things He does is give his disciples/us a new “command” to love one another.  And, to be sure, the singular most important thing Jesus does and gives is a new meal; a new testament; a new covenant!  On that night in that upstairs room Jesus supplants the centuries old Passover Supper with a new supper, His supper; The Lord’s Supper.

 

We call it “The Sacrament of the Altar.”  We call it “The Lord’s Table.”  We call it “Holy Communion.”  And we also call it “The Eucharist.”  This is one of my favorite titles for that meal because, I believe, it captures the essence of our response to what Jesus gives us in, with and under a simple piece of bread and a drink of wine.  The term, “eucharist,” is a transliteration of the Greek word for thanks or thanks-giving.  The Gospels tell us that Jesus “took bread and gave “eucharist.”   He gave thanks!  And so should we.  It reflects the note of joy and celebration we have when we partake of this new covenant, new testament meal.  These most basic visible elements – the bread and the wine – remind us of God’s provision for our life.  They remind us that we have much to be grateful for.

 

We give thanks for the good earth, created by our heavenly Father.  We thank Him for providing every need in our life.  He provides our “daily bread,” those things without which life would be hard or impossible.  More than that, He provides satisfaction for our higher hunger.  Our Lord said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.” In the marvelous meal our souls are restored!  The blessings for which we are thankful don’t stop there.  He also gives us beautiful strands of music that stir our emotions.  He gives us the great wonders of the world, the heavens, the universe.  He gives us someone with a shoulder to cry on, a warm embrace, a word of encouragement, laughter, friends, family and hope for tomorrow.  Because, you see, this meal that we eat is a reminder and a foretaste of the banquet yet to come.  Jesus says, at the end of its institution: I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with YOU in my Father’s kingdom.  For all of these things and so much more we give “eucharist!”  Or, at least, we ought to!

 

Most significantly, this meal is not a mere memorial.  It is a means of grace.  We believe that the body and blood of our Savior are really present in, with and under the bread and wine.  Thus we receive Him…His power…His presence…His encouragement  …His renewal and, most of all, His real and certain forgiveness every time we, in faith, “take and eat,” “take and drink…” 

 

Now tell me, should this really be the cast-away day during Holy Week?  Ponder that during the remaining days of Lent.  And, as your Pastor, with the great privilege and high calling to consecrate these elements in the stead of Christ, I do hope to see you at the table on… Maundy Thursday … APRIL 1^st, 6:30p.m., and that’s “no fooling…”

 

Until next month,

 

                                                          Pastor K