Who Me? I'll Never Be a Betrayer or Denier!

Today we are moving ever closer to the Cross as we come together to remember Jesus’ final night with His disciples.  It has come to be known as Maundy Thursday.  The name “Maundy” comes from the Latin word mandare, which means “to command” or “to mandate” and refers to the Gospel of John 13:34-35 where the events in the Upper Room focused on the washing of the disciples’ feet. 

“A new command I give you;  Love one another.  As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Last Saturday night, I had some close friends over to my home for dinner and to watch the The Passion of the Christ DVD.  While it is a “tough” movie to watch, I have found that this movie helps me to draw even closer to the Cross and to Jesus.  Following the movie, those of us who were gathered in my home, wiped our tears, hugged each other, lifted up prayers, prayed together the Lord’s Prayer and shared the wonderful gift of Holy Communion.  As a pastor, the Words of Institution come fairly easy for me, but on that night, after watching The Passion, I could hardly get the words out as huge tears rolled down my face.  Because the movie doesn’t “sanitize” the suffering of Jesus and it shows the real horror of crucifixion, all of us who were watching that evening were confronted with the reality of the immense love Jesus had for all of us and has for all of us. 

In The Passion, there is a wonderful scene where Jesus is in the Upper Room with the disciples.  How I long to have been at that table with Jesus and the disciples as they enjoyed one last meal together.  I like to think that I would never betray Jesus like Judas.  Oh, and I, would certainly never deny Jesus like Peter did.  And, I know I would load-up on enough coffee soI would never fall asleep like the disciples did when they went with Jesus to the Garden of Gethsemane.  Who am I fooling?  If I was really honest with myself, I too would have been just like those disciples long ago.  In fact, if we are all truly honest with ourselves, we are all deniers and betrayers of Christ to varying degrees.  Ouch!  Sometimes the truth can sting a bit.  We are all sinners unable to help ourselves. 

Yet, despite everything we have done in our lives, despite the fact that we are ALL deniers and betrayers of Christ, Jesus still invites ALL of us to His table each week.  The Lord’s Table is long and wide.  There is room for ALL who wish to receive forgiveness and to receive the real presence of Jesus found in the bread and wine.  What a gift Holy Communion is to us all! 

On this Maundy Thursday, we come to the table as broken, hurting sinners, just like the disciples 2,000 years ago.  And the promise that Jesus made that night to them is just as true for us today.  Jesus has a place for me at His Table and He’s got a place for YOU as well.  The question is:  Are you going to say “yes” to the invitation?

Here’s a song called “Worthy Is the Lamb” that reminds us of the amazing love Jesus has for you and for me.  

Soli Deo Gloria!

Pastor Carol