Thematic Expressions for the Lord's Supper

Going back to the text in Luke 24 that we have already looked at, we see several results in the encounter with God through the Supper. First, eyes are opened to the presence, power and glory of God. Whenever the Word of God is present, it brings the fruit that is promised. God wants people to know Him personally and come back to Him in relationship. It should come as no surprise that the disciples who were on the road to Emmaus’ eyes were open, and they finally understood who had been with them the whole time. The recognition is not merely physical but one of familiarity with the person who did the work of God for the people of God. I think we have a right to expect the same results in people’s lives when the Lord’s Supper is served. Then their sadness (vs. 17) turned to joy (vs. 34-35). Can you imagine the ecstasy in your people individually or hopefully the congregation as a whole (ecstasy means in the original Greek, to be outside oneself) at knowing that what has happened is real, eternal and able to save! This alone would be a boon to many congregations in our day. The sheer joy of knowing. The sheer joy of participating in it. The sheer joy of not having to produce this for us but that it is the gift of God given to us. Rejoice the Lord is King!! Beyond that there is the hope in the Biblical sense of an expectation, and power of enthusiasm which should also ensue. The word enthusiasm comes straight out of the Greek, En= in, thus=God and ism, an in-God ism or perhaps put more plainly, a passionate excitement about who God is and more than that who God is in ME! In the Luke 24 passage that enthusiasm led the disciples to go back to Jerusalem, at night, running up hill to bring the message that there was meaning and power behind the events of what we call passion week. They are filled with a story that is outside themselves, that empowers them to a holy boldness and expresses itself in a life that wants to bring life to others. Then, there is the clarity about who God is and what He has done for us all encapsulated in the meal. These disciples recite facts about God, His will, His work and the consequence of all of that in their own lives. Jesus gives these facts meaning. Finally, they understand. What has happened and what God has initiated by the breaking of the bread has now become clear FOR and IN them. They are no longer lost and alone; without purpose in the world but they now have a sense of meaning in their lives. Through the supper and through the lens of the many distinct aspects of God’s character and work we can begin to give that same clarity to our people.