#115. Come dine with me?


If you could choose dinner guests who would you choose?  Maybe a departed family member?  A sporting hero?  A comedian (to keep the evening fun)?   A best friend?   Hopefully you would want Jesus present too! 
Food has a big part to play in Jesus’ life and ministry.   Tim Chester in his book entitled ‘A Meal with Jesus’ (*1) says that meals are  deeply theological - an important part of Christian fellowship and mission. In the book Chester shows how they enact grace, community, hope, mission, salvation and promise.
There is no more significant meal than the last supper.   Let’s read it here-
Mark 14:12-26 NIV

On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, when it was customary to sacrifice the Passover lamb, Jesus' disciples asked Him, “Where do you want us to go and make preparations for you to eat the Passover?” So He sent two of his disciples, telling them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. Say to the owner of the house he enters, 'The Teacher asks: Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?'  He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.” The disciples left, went into the city and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover. When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve. While they were reclining at the table eating, He said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me---one who is eating with me.”  They were saddened, and one by one they said to Him, “Surely you don't mean me?” “It is one of the Twelve,” He replied, “one who dips bread into the bowl with me. The Son of Man will go just as it is written about Him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.” While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to His disciples, saying, “Take it; this is my body.” Then He took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it. “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,” He said to them. “Truly I tell you, I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” [26] When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives …


Preparation is everything when you prepare for a meal, from the place to eat, through to the ingredients used for the meal.   In our reading Jesus prepares for the meal as He instructs two of His disciples to go and find a venue for their meal and then to get the Passover meal ready.   I'm sure in their preparations they would have been honoured to be serving Jesus in such a way but also would have felt the great responsibility of getting everything ready.   
The opening scene of the meal doesn't start with niceties but Jesus saying that one of His disciples would betray Him.   Now that's a great start to a meal.   

Jesus then conducts the serving of the meal and within it He shows them that this was more than food for their belly.    This meal would be remembered as the time when He visually showed them the significance of the bread and wine.   
 
In closing let us be like those disciples who served their master practically, both regarding the venue and the actual Passover meal, as we return to meeting together and serving in various ministries.   
Also, remember why we do what we do - it’s for Jesus who’s body was broken for you and who took the cup (the punishment) for you.   
Serve with Lord with thankfulness 


Much love 
Tim

(*1) A meal with Jesus - Tim Chester (GBC) - 2011