Jesus’ first communion coincides with the “Feast of the Unleavened Bread” called the Passover. The “Passover” was a memorial of the departure of the Israelite community from a life of suffering and slavery in Egypt to a life of freedom. It is the feast of “unleavened bread” because no yeast or raising substance was used, and the bread was made in haste, so they had no time to let it rise. Symbolically, the children of Israel had to depart in haste and learn to depend on God for their sustenance as their “Bread of life.” The departure of the Israelites from Egypt was the beginning of their deliverance from a life of slavery. It took a night to deliver them from Egypt; it would take 40 years and more to deliver Israel from themselves.
Dear Seeking Soul, I am seated in this sacred space with a cup of tea. My friend “Mohamed” served me the tea and reminded me that the restaurant was quieter than usual as they observed the month of “Ramadan” (prayer and fasting for the Muslim community). The Muslim community believes that “Ramadan” is when the angel Gabriel spoke the first words of the Quran to the Prophet Mohamed. Some scholars have related “Ramadan” as an emulation of Jewish “Yom Kippur,” the “Day of Atonement,” which is also marked with prayer, fasting, and purification. On the Day of Atonement, YAHWEH was to “…forgive you, to purify you, that you be cleansed from all your sins.” By Divine Providence, this week leads into Palm Sunday, commemorating the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem riding on a donkey. Jesus, in a very intentional Journey of the “Human Atonement,” does the Last Supper to commemorate his departure. Similar to the “Passover” feast, Jesus was to begin the journey of the deliverance of all humanity from the “slavery and captivity of sin.” While it took a moment for the transaction of sin to be cleared by Jesus when he said on the cross, “IT IS FINISHED,” humanity is yet to take advantage of the freedom secured by Christ by His death on the Cross. Seeking Soul, what is the significance of Jesus “First Communion” with his Disciples?”
1. THE OBEDIENT STRANGER
According to Luke 22:10-12, Jesus instructs his disciples to follow after a man carrying a pitcher of water, “…And you shall say to the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, where is the guest chamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples? And he shall shew you a large upper room furnished: there make ready. Seeking soul, not much is known about this gentleman who was prepared to admit in strangers at a first request. Scholars relate the habit of “male carrying water” to a tradition of a sacred community of priestly descendants called the “Essenes” who had taken a vow of “celibacy” and lived a life of purity dedicated to God alone. This secret admirer of Jesus just like “Nicodemus” the Pharisee, is known to us by his character name “a goodman.” He straight away obeys the Jesus request for a fully furnished venue to celebrate the “Last Supper” without any argument.
Seeking Soul, what a lesson on the power of ones character, it gives one a name! Around the Communion Table, Strangers who believe in our Lord are Brethren too; give them space. Jesus knows them by name and has duty assigned for them. Therefore, as we have the opportunity, let us do good to all, especially those of the household of faith. (Galatians 6:10)
2. THE STRANGE MASTER
Jesus and his disciples are sitted for dinner, something strange unfolds. John 13:4-6 records that “Jesus riseth from supper, laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? At this gesture Jesus responds to Peter, “14-15 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.” In this narration, all sat as guests. It was expected to have a servant wait on the guests. it never occurred to the prestigious disciples that a servant should miss out on this significant occasion. It is at this point that Jesus, the master takes up the posture of a slave.
Most of us would rather prefer the posture of dignified guests. The Communion table reminds us that, those of us who are greater must choose to be lesser and serve. Jesus says “If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. (John 13:14,15)
3. A GATHERING OF FRIENDS AND FOES
John 13:21-26 When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. Christ takes time to be vulnerable and emotional to his disciples as He is faced with two categories of persons around him, the “BELOVED” and the “BETRAYER.” A trusted disciple in their midst is plotting a betrayal (Judas) and John the disciple whom Jesus loved, is asked by the others to investigate who Jesus is insinuating about. Peter sympathizing with Jesus disturbed spirit, vows to stand by the master no matter what! Jesus shares communion with his most “beloved” and most “betrayer” on each of his sides. Seeking Soul, the communion table breaks “barriers” and builds “bridges.”Communion Table teaches us to Work with the “Beloved” and give space to the ”Betrayer.” Now, after the piece of bread, Satan entered (Judas). Then Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.” (John 13:27). The actions of Judas the “Betrayer” would never stop the purposes of God from unfolding. Unfortunately when we focus so much on betrayers, we take matters on our hands, with the pressure to “even up.” Judas betrayal was the beginning of the redemptive end.
4. PREVAILING FEARS AND DOUBTS
Luke 22:24-27) records that “there was also a strife among them, and each of them should be accounted for as the greatest.” Christ is surrounded by self-serving ego-packed followers, each one displaying to be the master’s favourite. Instead of empathizing with Christ when he says his time is short and soon he will be no more…the disciples, on the other hand, are plotting a succession plan as to who will be next to take over from the master. The temptation and tendency among christian institutions is to create offices, yet Christ is in the business of recruiting SERVANTS. Around The communion table has Christ has no favorites; all are servants. Jesus repremands his followers that “…he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves (Luke 22:26).
LESSONS FROM JESUS FIRST COMMUNION
- The First Communion was Prepared by an OBEDIENT STRANGER: The call for inclusivity to all who love the master and serve Him best as they know.
- The First Communion was Hosted by a STRANGE MASTER: The call to servitude to serve one another as God has taught us through Christ.
- The First Communion was Graced by CLOSEST FRIENDS AND FOES: The call to brotherhood, for the communion table breaks barriers and builds bridges. Christ shared communion with both his beloved and betrayer.
- The First Communion was Partaken AMIDST FEARS AND DOUBTS: While the disciples had strife as to who was to be who, the communion table created space that ALL called could fit in to serve the master.
Seeking soul, what lesson from the first communion do you identify with? How has it made a difference in you?