We argue about Bible doctrines or practices, but Jesus loves us anyway
By Dean Collins
I grew up in a church tradition that took the Lord’s Supper every Sunday. As I was growing up in Tampa, most of my friends came from families of Cuban, Puerto Rican, Spanish, Greek, Italian, or Venezuelan descent. And most of them attended Catholic churches where they also took Communion weekly, at Mass. At my church, we called this part of the worship service Communion or the Lord’s Supper. I learned that some in other traditions call the celebration Holy Communion or The Eucharist. But whatever it was called, it was thought to be important, even a necessary part of worship.
Arguments
In my college years I moved to the real South, Georgia, and later to Alabama. There I met Christians who took the Lord’s Supper only occasionally. Somewhere in my teenage years I noticed that Christians often argue about who is right about when and how believers are to take Communion. It always seemed odd to me for Christians to argue about the Lord’s Supper, but I learned that, sadly, believers argue about who is right or wrong on a number of topics.
The arguments about the Lord’s Supper have been around for centuries and include not just the frequency but also who can administer the celebration along with whether the elements have one loaf, contain yeast, include wafers or crackers, and on and on. Then there is the one-cup and many-cup discussion as well as whether grape juice or wine should be used and age restrictions of the participants. So many arguments!
As I read from Luke 22 this morning, it dawned on me that arguing over who is right or wrong over certain doctrines or faith traditions isn’t particularly new nor is it a Southern thing. Arguing about what God wants from his followers has been around since God first breathed life into us.
I was particularly struck today by the argument that started at the Last Supper. Jesus had made special preparations for this last gathering before his death. John’s Gospel tells us Jesus washed the disciples’ feet ahead of the meal. Luke begins with Jesus reclining at the table and includes his opening comments about how deeply he desired to share the Passover with the disciples before he would suffer.
Instructions
Then Jesus took a cup, gave thanks, and told the disciples to divide it among themselves. They were to share the cup. He went through the same sequence when he took the bread, breaking it and passing it out to be shared as well. He gave instructions to “do this in remembrance of me.”
Jesus called the cup poured out the blood of a new covenant. It seems that regardless of our particular tradition, regardless of our frequency or methods of sharing communion, we all mostly focus on the importance of Jesus inviting us to remember his gift of life, forgiveness, and union with him.
Lessons
Reading Luke 22:21-30 may help us consider things we often forget as we gather in the name of Jesus.
• Judas was at the table with the others. Before the supper began Luke tells us, “Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them” (Luke 22:3-4).
Even as Jesus was aware of the betrayal of Judas, he didn’t stop him at the door. Jesus washed the feet of Judas, he reclined at the table with Judas, and he passed the bread and cup while Judas was at the table. If Jesus can serve his betrayer, then we probably have some work to do on how we serve not just those different than us but even those who have betrayed us, hurt us, and fight against us.
• The disciples missed the message and started chasing a trail to determine who had betrayed Jesus. How many times have we believers spent our time in pursuit of finding out who has sinned and holding them accountable instead of confessing our sins?
• The disciples lost their focus on Jesus and quickly let their pride and jealousy interrupt the love and grace that Jesus offered them. The investigation of who betrayed Jesus quickly turned to who was the greatest of the disciples. I can’t remember a time when I saw an argument break out while taking Communion. But I have certainly heard several arguments within minutes or hours after leaving the church property. I am pretty sure pride disrupts God’s work whenever and whether ever it is found.
• And yet even after the disciples focus on Judas and display their arrogance, Jesus didn’t give up on them. He simply taught them that to be great in his kingdom meant to keep childlike faith and serve others. He then told this immature group of followers that he was assigning the work of the kingdom to them.
We need to let that sink in. Even with all of our flaws, faulty understanding of kingdom principles, and frequent mistakes, Jesus not only allows us to be a part of his kingdom, he actually invites us to participate in doing his work today.
Lord, as we read about your last supper with your closest disciples, we realize how much we are like them. We have often allowed our pride to interfere with serving others. We have participated in conversations that judged others. We ask forgiveness for our sins and for the pride they reveal. We thank you for your grace and mercy. Fill us with your Spirit so we can fully participate as kingdom citizens and share your love with everyone. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Your time with God’s Word
Luke 22:14-30 ESV
Photo by Liza Summer at pexels.com
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