What’s for Supper?
“Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.”
“Where do you want us to prepare for it?” they asked.
He replied, “As you enter the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him to the house that he enters, and say to the owner of the house, `The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ He will show you a large upper room, all furnished. Make preparations there.”
They left and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover.”
Luke 22:7-13
As time progressed through the week, Jesus knew him ministry, as the disciples knew it, was soon to end. This was a special week, not only in the interactions Jesus had with his disciples, religious leaders and people of Jerusalem, but it was also Passover. Passover was the biggest Jewish Feast or holy time.
So, he asked a few of his disciples to prepare for the Passover meal. His disciples were thinking tradition—this is a time when we celebrate a religious holiday as we have in the past. Jesus had other plans though. It was going to be a meal that would not be forgotten. It was his last private time with his friends before his arrest. As you read the larger story, he packed-in as much teaching as he could to prepare his disciples for life without his physical presence.
As you think back to our Christian holy times, like Christmas or Easter, how many meal celebrations do you remember? Who did you gather with? What conversation was shared? Do you remember the details about past meals or more of a warm, loving feeling towards those you shared the meal with?
Often, holidays like Christmas and Easter are times for family to gather. Depending upon your family history, sharing time with family can be a time of blessing or difficulty. I enjoy celebrating the holidays with family. I also enjoy celebrating them with friends. Some of my most memorable celebrations are with neighbors in my apartment who were too far away from family to travel home. So, we became family to each other as we gathered around the table to celebrate God’s work in our world.
Celebrations over a meal can have a huge bonding effect with those who participate. Reflecting over the meaning of the gathering, recalling God’s activity in the past and present, can mold a gathering of individuals into a bonded group of people committed to live and serve together.
Friday evening, Floodster’s from all over San Diego will be gathering in homes to recall and celebrate this holy time over a meal. Communion will be served after the meal. This will be a time where we can bond together in a new way that’s different from our Sunday, Community Group, Impact Team or Growth Group gatherings. If you’ve not signed-up, give Mindi Hopper a call today at the Flood offices to see if there’s a slot available (858-268.2330). Gathering as the family of God, to recall and celebrate God’s activity, is important to building our faith and community with one another!
Jeff Glass