Welcome to Eat This Bread Drink This Cup. The title of my communion meditation today is "The Look." I read from Luke 22:60-62 (NIV). All Scripture quotations are from the New International Version (NIV) and are used with permission.
60 Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” 62 And he went outside and wept bitterly.
The account of Peter's denial of Jesus is recorded in all four gospels. What is unique about Luke's account is that he records the precise moment when Peter disowns Jesus the third time and he and Jesus look at each other. In all the commotion of the moment, Jesus knew exactly where Peter was standing and when to look in his direction. After their exchange, Peter leaves and weeps bitterly. Without any exchange of words, one can from an opinion about what someone is thinking and feeling just by looking at their face. Depending on how well you know them, your assessment is more likely to be correct. People get into trouble every day by misjudging what the look on a person's face might mean. How might we imagine the look on Jesus' face at that moment. Did He appear angry? Sad? Disappointed? I told you so? Looser? Knowing? Several things we do know. The look did not reciprocate rejection of Peter by Jesus. The look revealed Jesus' understanding of the human condition. The look invited Peter to return to him. The look said, "I still love you." The look brought Peter to feel terrible for what he said and did and to weep bitterly. Can one pack all that information into a single glance? I believe so. Today as we assemble around the table to partake of the bread and drink the fruit of the vine from the cup, do you see Jesus? In this moment, what is He saying to you and what are you saying to Him? You and He may have a lot to say, but I assure this is part of what He is saying, "I love you. I gave my life for you. I will never leave you. I look forward to the day when we will see each other face-to face." Let us pray.
Abba, Father. Today we bless and set aside this bread and the fruit of the vine in this cup to remember Your Son, Jesus. We know that the bread represents His body that was nailed to the cross, and the fruit of the vine represents His blood that He shed for us. As we pour out the wine from the cup, we are reminded of how Jesus poured out His own blood that our sins might be forgiven. Abba, Father. Thank-you for sending Jesus to save us from our sins. He is our Savior, and He is our friend. He loves us and we can put our trust in Him. As we partake this morning, we remember His suffering and death on the cross for us. We rejoice that He was resurrected from the dead and exalted on high; He now sits at Your right hand. We long for the day when He returns to take us home. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
Today, Jesus invites you to partake of His supper. I read from Matthew 26:26-28 (NIV).
26 As they were eating, Jesus took some bread and blessed it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take this and eat it, for this is my body.” Let us partake of the bread.
27 And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them and said, “Each of you drink from it, 28 for this is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many." Let us partake of the cup.
And the assembly of believers said, "Amen!"
Until next time, from Numbers 6:24-26, “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”
Artist's Note: If you have questions about the Lord's Supper, I invite you to visit my website, https://eatthisbreaddrinkthiscup.com, for a brief overview. The Eat This Bread Drink This Cup podcast is listed in most podcast directories, and I invite you to add my podcast to your favorites and be notified of new posts. There is a written transcript that accompanies each podcast, and you are free to use the transcript in accordance with US copyright law. My prayer is that you will benefit personally from this time with Jesus and encourage others to observe the Lord's Supper. In these trying times, we need to keep our eyes on Jesus!
