So Much to Say

Text: Luke 22:14-23

It would be difficult to say something about today's text that hasn't been said before. It is not my intent to do so. What strikes me most as I reread the passage yet again is how unspectacular the occasion is as presented.

It seems to pass very quickly, though of course it unfolded over more time than is represented by Luke. But here we have a report that tells us merely that Jesus opened the evening observance of Passover by expressing that it was important to him to celebrate the meal with his disciples, then gave them a cup of wine with a few words spoken confirming that he would not do so again; he broke bread, said something about it being (or representing?) his body. From there he again offered a cup of wine, this time adding the words indicating that it represented a new covenant.

Those last words are momentous, to say the very least. We have heard them repeated virtually every time we have observed Holy Communion. Yet in the context of the chapter, he has no sooner spoken these words than Jesus refers to a betrayal by one of the gathered members. Immediately, they begin a discussion about who that betrayer might be. No reflection on the words spoken, no questions regarding how the bread and wine specifically related to the body broken and blood shed. And certainly no impact on the gathered friends.

The words of Christ to us are often like that. The immediate impact may be relatively minor; but in the course of time, we reflect on them and take them to heart. I'm sure this event was recalled by the disciples with far more profound effect after all the events of the crucifixion and resurrection had occurred. It is good for us as well, though we come to this scene knowing the full outcome, to take the words of the Last Supper with us. His body broken; His blood poured out. These are realities which never lose their power to impact people who come to his table, if we will allow them to. Just as the disciples returned to them in the ensuing years, we should also go back regularly to understand our Lord, and in that light to understand ourselves the better--and our need for his gracious act explained that night.