Come To The Upper Room: Lenten Devotions From Time Of GraceSample

Come to the upper room--and be fed

Imagine that you are one of Jesus’ disciples in the upper room late on Maundy Thursday evening and you hear these words: “He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you’” (Luke 22:19,20).

Jesus’ disciples could not possibly have understood what was going on when they experienced Holy Communion for the first time. In their fear and confusion that night, Jesus’ words about eating his body and blood must have sounded strange and more than a little creepy. The physical elements of the Eucharist--bread and a sip of wine--must have seemed too tame and ordinary for the amazing things Jesus claimed to be giving through them.

Weeks later, when the disciples had witnessed the resurrection and received the Spirit’s Pentecost outpouring, they grasped the enormous significance of Jesus’ gift. Though he had ascended into heaven with his human body, he was still present among them in spirit through his Word and physically present through the Eucharistic meal. What a royal feast we can enjoy at the Lord’s Table! The assurance of the forgiveness of our many sins, the promise of God’s everyday favor, and the bright hope of a place at God’s banquet in heaven are ours.

Can’t wait till Sunday.