Elder Wisdom by Michael
April’s here again; Easter beckons. I’m always fascinated by the Easter Story, Jesus heading towards Jerusalem and His eminent crucifixion and death. The story of his transfiguration and the various miracles and good deeds he performed on the way towards Jerusalem.
But I am enlightened by something else this year. It is amazing how the Bible talks to us; how things we’ve known and learned takes on new meaning. In my case, it’s about the last supper.
I once was tasked with talking to a feuding couple. They were at odds with each other, harsh words exchanged. To say it was serious was an understatement. Questions raged in my mind. Am I qualified to talk or mediate between anyone? What qualifications do I have? I mean what do I know? Someone more qualified is needed here - a pastor, conflict resolution expert, anyone but me.
Then it came to me. Words spoken each time I was invited to the table to dine, the lighting of the candle, the words “Come as you are”, everyone’s invited, and no one’s exempt. On the night that He was betrayed, he blessed the meal, taking the bread saying “take eat, this is my body, broken for you.” Likewise, he took the wine, blessed it and said this is blood of the Covenant poured out for the remission of sins.
The key words that struck me were; “Invite,” “Table,” “acceptance,” all being welcome and especially who was making the invitation. Light taking away “darkness” or bringing clarity. The elements - bread, symbolic of his taking on our sins, wine symbolic of his bloodshed for the remission of sins. “Behold the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world,” John declared.
We are honored guests seated at a “table” at the head of which is Christ Himself. Pride, arrogance, shame, disgrace, worry etc. is left behind. Here we come just as we are, and we are accepted.
We receive enlightenment; our load or burdens are lightened. Our deepest fears and doubts are removed.
There is the great invitation!
Jesus Himself sits at the head of the table. Come as you are, sit facing each other, leave anger and doubts behind. Forgive one another just as you (all of us) are forgiven. Acknowledge that we’re all not “worthy”. Christ has indeed paid it all. Bread (body) broken for my sins and wine (blood) that washes away our sins. It heals us and erases all that binds us. That is a great starting point.
The table as it turns out is indeed a special place. A place where we meet, cleansed, rejuvenated, humbled with the knowledge of our fragility and what it took to cleanse us and therefore with clear minds resolve differences.
An eye opener indeed!!!
