Follow The Food

As we sit at our kitchen table we enjoy looking beyond a small creek at grazing goats and

horses eating breakfast and lunch while we do. [Different menu, of course.] Just inches

from each horse a white cattle egret is always present, busy eating crickets, flies, grasshoppers and spiders that the grazing horse stirs up while moving about the field. We’ve learned that cattle egrets follow the food source.

Hey, most humans and animals do the same: follow the food.

Dust storms in the Dirty Thirties damaged millions of acres of farmland in the Plains states, causing a quarter-million “Oakies” and “Arkies” to load their jalopies with a few personal belongings and migrate to California to pick fruit for meager salaries. Better than starving.

For several years drought has been devastating several northeastern African nations – Ethiopia, Sudan and Somalia - with mass migration numbering past 11 million starving refugees seeking food. However, they have no California.

When Galilee’s spiritually starving masses discovered that Jesus could heal and feed, they followed him like a shadow. His popularity escalated so high the people were ready to force this new prophet to be their king. [John 6:14,15]  California had come to them.

In a synagogue, a bold spokesman pressed for a miraculous sign so Jesus could prove he was God’s son, reminding him that God gave bread from heaven in the form of manna. A teachable moment for Jesus – answering the request of a clueless crowd in six words, “I am the bread of life.” [v. 35] The answer prompted what Jesus expected – an uncivil war of words.

When they came up for air, he went for the knockout blow, “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life.” [v. 54]  Whoa! Many “no longer followed him.” [v. 66]  Forget this flesh and blood menu. We prefer fast food – the McJesus happy meal - fish and bread.

It was not until his final supper with the 12 that Jesus returned to this subject – body and blood. While teaching in the synagogue Jesus had more in mind than communing with him in a memorial meal, but participation in the Lord’s Supper is a tangible means of fellowship that believers regularly have with Jesus. We follow the food – the bread and cup - to remember our dying, resurrected, reigning savior – Jesus the son of God.

Who's The Greatest?

Three of the gospel writers describe the Last Supper when Jesus gathered his 12 disciples together for the institution of the Lord’s Supper. 

Matthew describes the immediate preparation, eating the Passover meal, discussing the betrayer, instituting the Lord’s Supper, singing a hymn and leaving for the Mount of Olives. [Matthew 26:17-30].   Mark’s description matches Matthew’s.  [Mark 14:13-26]  Luke provides more details about the preparation and instituting the Lord’s Supper, briefly mentioning the betrayer, and concluding with a lengthy feud over which of the 12 disciples had most authority. [Lk 22:7-39]

A natural question: “Why squabble about greatness – especially when this was their last meal together?” A simple response, “Boys will be boys,” may be close to reality. But, there’s a bit more to it, specifically the seating arrangement at formal supper tables in Jesus’ era.

The famous painting of the Last Supper by Leonardo Da Vinci depicts Jesus at the center of the Twelve, all on one side of a long modern table. While the painting is priceless, the traditional seating was not seating – like sitting on chairs with your legs and feet under the table – but rather reclining. The very lesson we were taught not to do.

On low couches or on cushions, each one leaned on his left elbow with their head facing the low table, feet extended away from the table, allowing them to eat with their right hand. Dining tables were usually situated in the center of the room with the guests on three sides – in a U-shape - allowing open access to the table by servers. For the 13 men, it is possible that five

reclined on each side of the U-shape, and the remaining three at the top.

Additionally, positions of honor and servanthood were traditionally assigned to the couch locations around the table. The host was positioned at the top in the center, with the place of honor to his left – actually behind the reclining host – and a trusted guest to his right, in front of the host. The servant, if seated at the table, would occupy the last position – facing the host, but at the end of the U-shape, closest to the door.

Specifically, Jesus, the host, was at the center with John at his right [John 13:23-25], and Judas in the honored place behind Jesus. [Matthew 26:23] Peter was across from John [John 13:24], in the servant’s position. Oh oh. Not only did Peter miss the personal whispers between Jesus, John and Judas, he was quite aware that the host stuck him on the servant’s couch. Ouch.

Should we be shocked about a greatness debate? The betrayer is honored. John, a younger man, is the trusted friend, leaving Peter relegated to last on the food chain.  Guaranteed rumble.

But how similar were the Twelve and the Corinthian church when they assembled? “I have no praise for you,” Paul wrote, “for your meetings do more harm than good.” [1 Corinthians 11:17]  He continued, “When you come together, it is not the Lord’s Supper you eat …” [11:20] The same trouble the 12 had: division between the servants and the served, the “haves” and the “have-nots.” [11:22]

Thankfully, the Lord’s Supper is for all believers – greaters and lessers, haves and have-nots, big sinners and small sinners. So Paul advised, “A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup.” - examine yourself, not elevate yourself. That advice still works today. It’s a level playing field around the bread and the cup. Who is greatest? Who cares.

When Heaven Goes Ape

Something stirs my bones when I reflect on heavenly euphoria – the ecstatic thrill of repentance and forgiveness.

“ … there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” [Luke 15:7]

“ … there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” [Luke 15:10]

For two weeks we have heard the deafening roar of Olympic crowds as their favorite athletes compete for three medals - and if not for victory medals, for the pride of their nations. Just thinking about of some of those tense moments in London raises my heart rate.

But I can’t even begin to fantasize what happens every time a sinner repents. The thrill of forgiveness. Heaven goes ape.

Once when a repentant woman was told, “Your sins are forgiven,” the guests in Simon’s house criticized, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” [Luke 7:48,49]  Heaven cheered while the holy men sneered.

I suspect this happens every time followers of Christ assemble to participate in the Lord’s supper – Communion. We approach this sacred meal in repentance, knowing we are not deserving, but by his grace we are favored to seek a restatement of his forgiveness. Repentance and forgiveness.

“ … Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it … saying, ‘Take and eat; this is my body.’ Then he took the cup … saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sin.’” [Matthew 26:26-28]

Do the angels in Heaven rejoice when we participate in the bread and cup? If they still rejoice when sinners repent (which includes us) and forgiveness is granted, then at every communion service there is happiness in Heaven. Just a glimpse of eternal joy.

Can We All Get Along?

The angel announced, “on earth peace, good will toward men,” according to Luke in the King James Version. Yet with perpetual discord around the world, peace does not appear coming soon.

The beating of Rodney King after an 8-mile high-speed chase triggered the infamous Los Angeles riots in 1992. During that chaotic week, King appeared on television pleading, “Can we all get along?” Good question, Rodney.

A day at Disney (Land or World) offers a few hours of dreamland peace – not counting the hefty entrance fee. Two weeks of the 2012 London Olympics brings us closer to our human idealism, as hundreds of thousands of athletes, paid workers and volunteers display the best of the best from 204 nations – though many of these nations are currently fighting each other.

The mystery of bringing the world together is beyond the Olympics, Disney parks and peace organizations – 266 and counting. Earthly peace is deeper than outlawing guns, curtailing nuclear killing devices, or banding together in a one-world hug fest. Observing an Earth Day, creating a green environment, or believing in yourself won’t cut it. Not even a decree from the Pope.

It was the mystery of the ages,  

but the mystery was forever solved.

From a prison cell Paul wrote, “… God gave the special responsibility of extending his grace to you Gentiles. As I briefly wrote earlier, God himself revealed his mysterious plan to me … And this is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus. [Ephesians 3:2-6, New Living Translation]

God’s age-old mystery – mind-blowing for both Jews and Gentiles – was revealed to Paul who then explained it to the Ephesians. Simply, God was blending into one body the two warring segments of humanity – through one eternal mediator, Jesus Christ.  Now equals.  Brothers.  Christians.

No more need for accusing or excusing, shouting or shooting, bullying or bombing.  God’s answer to Rodney’s 1992 question, “Yes, we can all get along.” There can be peace between feuding people – in neighborhoods, nations and the universe. Through the Prince of Peace, who experienced false accusations, governmental injustice, and humiliating shame to make it possible for enemies to be brothers and enjoy the blessings of God together.

Our heartfelt gratitude to Christ for personally solving the mystery of the ages. We pause to share in two earthly elements – bread and fruit of the vine – emblematic pictures of the price paid for peace, first our peace with God and then with mankind.

We Are Not Alone

Today’s vocabulary has been ambushed by dreaded words: termination, foreclosure, bankruptcy. Strangling in an unrelenting economic swamp are millions of American employers and employees, families and singles, working and retireds, educated and uneducated, Christians and non-Christians. Disappointment has become the expected rather than a rarity.

Then, along comes the 2012 Olympics with 10,000 of the most skilled athletes in the world – bringing more sunshine into our lives in one moment than any scratch-off ticket could generate. We marvel at these athletes from 204 nations who have devoted themselves to perfection in their chosen sport. Each athlete has determined to exceed their best, knowing that only one wins the gold in each event.

One swimmer – Natalie Coughlin, turning just 20 in August – is the first American female athlete to win six medals in one Olympics. She reflects, “You are very much alone when you’re out there swimming, but you have so many people supporting you back home.”

No, the Olympics doesn’t pay our bills, feed our family or meet our mortgage, but the focused determination of these disciplined participants buoys us to see beyond our daily struggles.

Natalie nails it: Doing it on your own doesn’t mean doing it alone.  The writer of Hebrews concurs, describing Old Testament heroes of faith in chapter 11, followed by “therefore” in chapter 12.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.” [New Living Translation]

As in the ancient Greek Games and the modern Olympics, we run as individuals, yet we are NOT ALONE. But are surrounded by a grandstand-full of heavenly heroes who have experienced what we suffer. All gold medal winners, cheering us on in this gut-wrenching side of life.

Jesus, himself, understood life’s ugly side. Shown no mercy. Being alone. End of the rope.  Yet, he is the world champion medal winner - meaning we, too, can win the Gold, if . . . “We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith . . . he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.” [Hebrews 12:2, NLT] Each time we commune with Christ, we’re reminded, we are not alone.

Top of the Top

He grew up in Palestine – actually in Kerioth, a small town some 20 miles south of Jerusalem. From his earliest years he excelled in numbers, especially in financial transactions.

Simon, his father, had to be amazed at him when he suddenly left the Jewish faith he had been raised in, to follow an itinerant preacher named Jesus. This preacher was not only from a distant northern city, Nazareth, but he also bragged that he was Jehovah’s son.

Why would he leave his family and a promising career? He was at the top of the top in what he did best – money management. But the preacher saw in this young man, one who would help him establish the largest organization in world history – the church. As one of the Twelve he was above hundreds and thousands of promising achievers.

But in an instant, one of the mysteries of life occurred, an event that has been summarized by an eye-witness historian in four words, “Satan entered into him.” [John 13:27]  From that moment history changed – by one satanic-controlled man. We know the rest of the story very well.

He grew up in California – actually in San Diego – in a well-tended enclave of two-story homes. He excelled in science, especially in neuroscience. Robert, his father – a software company manager – had to be amazed at his son’s scientific advancements in college, with unlimited potential. But inner demons gnawed at the character of this promising achiever, and won. In hindsight, the chancellor of his California University said, “He was at the top of the top.”

One of the mysteries of Americans today is far from being understood or summarized. In a devilish two-month plan this acclaimed student became the Batman villain – for real – in a Colorado theater on the opening night of “The Dark Knight Rises.” From the moment the horror exploded in that packed theater history took an ugly turn. And, we only begin to learn the full story.

One story we do know is encapsulated in that itinerant preacher who truly was, and is, and forever will be Jehovah’s son. His love took a traitor’s disgusting betrayal and turned it into the greatest story ever told – the top of the top – changing vile nations and inhuman criminals like no other man. We can attest to that love and grace and power, because he changed us to be his children, and eternally with him, at the top of the top. Today we move beyond horror and anticipate splendor.

Communion on the Moon

A minor detail during the historic Apollo 11 mission that landed the first two human beings on the moon over 45 years ago – Sunday, July 20, 1969 – was an important event for Astronaut Buzz Aldrin.

Many remember Neil Armstrong’s now famous words, “One small step for man, one giantleap for mankind.” But who remembers Buzz Aldrin’s words?

Mission Control in Houston had scheduled a quiet time for the 2-man crew to rest after the lunar module landed to prepare for their extra-vehicular activities on the moon’s surface. During these hours Aldrin carried out his own plan. With a wafer of bread and a small amount of wine from a sealed plastic container, he privately celebrated the Lord’s Supper – on the moon.

From a handwritten 3x5 card, Aldrin repeated the words of Jesus, “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever remains in me, and I in him, will bear much fruit; for you can do nothing without me.” Astronaut Aldrin then partook of the wafer and the wine . . . paused for a moment, and then offered a private prayer for the task at hand and the opportunity he had been given. Neil Armstrong, the only human witness, watched respectfully.

Reflecting on his communion observance on the moon, Aldrin explained, “I could think of no better way to acknowledge the enormity of the Apollo 11 experience than by giving thanks to God.”

Jesus also, on the night that he was betrayed by Judas, could think of no better way for humans on earth (and earth’s moon) to regularly acknowledge the enormity of his eternally - purposed death – instructing his followers to “proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”

Buzz Aldrin read, “Whoever remains in me . . .” This observance is part of “remaining” in Christ – through the bread and cup – participating in the body and blood of Christ.