Happy New Year! Why is it happy? Because Jesus arrived! He came to set people free…and it took his all to make that happen. Before his crucifixion, Jesus experienced such deep stress that he sweated out blood. It was violent, gritty, difficult, seemingly impossible. But the sacrifice and determination of Christ brought about our salvation and our freedom.
Paul said, “Let the same mind that was in Christ Jesus be also in you” (Philippians 2:5). We are to think in the same manner that Jesus did. That might sound like it’s about healing, or preaching, or hanging out with disciples to distribute food. But it also means to have endurance, strength, grit, resilience, and faith in everything from common daily challenges to the most difficult situations of our lives. We are in a fight. We didn’t start it—it was here when we were born. But, we are called into it. Life is not always just stained glass and candles. It’s about getting into the fight for our families, for our friends, for our city.
We are in a fight. We didn’t start it—it was here when we were born. But, we are called into it.
Today we receive the eucharist together—communion. It’s a time of thankfulness, forgiveness and new beginnings. The breaking of bread can represent all the things that have happened in our past—the betrayals, the hurts, the pain—as Jesus breaks them off our lives. The cup of wine can represent new life, new beginnings, fresh starts.
Here's how Paul recounts what Jesus did on the evening of the Passover meal as he and the disciples ate and prayed together:
Let me go over with you again exactly what goes on in the Lord's Supper and why it is so centrally important. I received my instructions from the Master himself and passed them on to you. The Master, Jesus, on the night of his betrayal, took bread. Having given thanks, he broke it and said, This is my body, broken for you. Do this to remember me. After supper, he did the same thing with the cup: This cup is my blood, my new covenant with you. Each time you drink this cup, remember me. What you must solemnly realize is that every time you eat this bread and every time you drink this cup, you reenact in your words and actions the death of the Master. You will be drawn back to this meal again and again until the Master returns. You must never let familiarity breed contempt. Anyone who eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Master irreverently is like part of the crowd that jeered and spit on him at his death. Is that the kind of "remembrance" you want to be part of? Examine your motives, test your heart, come to this meal in holy awe.
— 1 CORINTHIANS 11:23-28
The Passover dinner is during a chaotic time, stressful for those gathered. All of hell is trying to take the life of the Messiah. And, he stops, has a meal with his friends. Then a time of prayer and communion. I’m sure the disciples were waiting for some major miracle, a million angels, a triumphant legion of holy warriors—something. But, in the most difficult moment of his life on earth—he paused, got quiet, received communion with friends, and prayed.
This was his answer to the chaos, pain, turmoil, storms, and difficulty of life. “Spend time with Me.”
As the disciples reclined at the table, in the middle, a single candle was lit. It was traditional, representing the coming of the Messiah. John said Jesus is “the Light.” In this meaningful moment—filled with pathos, anarchy, turmoil, and coupled with faith, clarity, and truth—the Light was at their table.
By tradition, there were four cups of wine at the center table. Each had a meaning. The first was the cup of deliverance representing Israel’s deliverance from Egypt and the future deliverance and sanctification from the coming Messiah. The second was the cup of freedom. “I will rid you of your bondage” is what the ancient scriptures said. The fourth cup was the cup of acceptance, the affirmation of the Father who says, “You are my people and I am your God.”
The third cup? That’s the one Jesus picked up to share with his disciples. The third cup was Elijah’s cup. The cup of redemption. It was never tasted and would never be drunk until the Messiah arrived. Picking it up was scandalous. Jesus took Elijah’s cup and said – “Redemption has arrived!” This may be what pushed Judas over the edge. Soon, he slipped out and made his deal with the devil.
Traditionally, Elijah’s cup was held until the end of the supper when a young child was sent to the front door to see if the Messiah had arrived. The child would come back and, with great disappointment, report, “I opened the door, and he’s not here yet.” Then, the cup was poured on the ground. Waiting for the coming Messiah.
In Revelation the third chapter, scripture records this word from Jesus, “Behold I stand at the door and knock—if you will open the door I will come in…” This is the door. The door was always vacant but now, Jesus the Redeemer has arrived. And he’s knocking on the door!
The door was always vacant but now, Jesus the Redeemer has arrived. And he’s knocking on the door!
When we open the door today by taking the cup and bread of communion, there is no disappointment. Instead of waiting and finding a vacant door, there is a savior knocking, waiting on us. Instead of depression, hope. Instead of fear, faith. Instead of pain, joy. The Messiah has come.
Jesus picks up the cup of the redeemer, the Messiah, the savior and says, “Behold I have come to set the captives free.”
That means, you can start the year in liberty, freedom, power, anointing, strength and make 2020 the most remarkable year of your life!
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![“So may you walk in the way of good men, and keep to the paths of the [consistently] righteous (the upright, in right standing with God).” Proverbs 2 #stalwartman #maximizedmanhood](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/4fe92c42c4aa49ccfa2b20b4/1520004343574-10S1PA70GRVFMJQ0200A/image-asset.jpeg)
