Reflections

The Last Supper – Not an End, but a Beginning

/ Bob

The-Lords-Supper

As we reflect on the events of Holy Week – the last week of Christ’s earthly ministry – our thoughts often turn to the Last Supper.  In 1951 Fritz Eischenberg presented his visual representation of that event.  I just saw it for the first time.  Immediately it caused me to consider who those first disciples were – who it was that was gathered for that sacred meal.  In turn my thoughts turned to who would be present if that meal were to take place today.  Who would Jesus choose today to be His closest followers.  They would no doubt be from every  group you can imagine – rich and poor, outcasts and average folks, young and old.

At my next mental turn I saw myself at the table.   I could have been one of those who shared in that intimate moment.  As my mind rapidly flashed through the possible sights and sounds I came all too quickly to the image of Jesus standing to leave.  And leaving that table was only the beginning of His leaving.  We are singing now as we all prepare to walk out that door into a new world – a frightening world without the physical presence of our Lord.  And yet He said, “Lo, I am with you always – even to the end of the age.”

The time has come for us to rise up from the table and go out into the world with the saving message of Jesus Christ.  For too long we have kept the holy word of hope, peace and salvation locked up in the inner chambers of our hearts – that sacred upper room.  For too long we have been sitting at the table.  Reflect on the intimacy of Maundy Thursday,  grieve the death of our Lord on Good Friday, rest on the Sabbath of the tomb, and then Rise Again on Resurrection Sunday to go forth in celebration that Christ is risen, death has died, and hope is offered to all people.  Hallelujah!  He is risen – He is risen indeed!

A Little Humiliation Wouldn’t Hurt

/ Bob

Just over 150 years ago our nation was embroiled in a harrowing Civil War. Two years into the conflict there had already been over 500,000 casualties – over 500,000 dead and wounded with the promise of hundreds of thousands more. Congress urged President Lincoln to call the nation to prayer, to seek God’s grace in the face of such devastation. He signed a proclamation declaring that April 30, 1863 would be a day of prayer, fasting and humiliation – a day in which he asked all Americans to humbly call on God in repentance and acknowledgement of God’s provision.

Today our nation is embroiled in a different Civil War – different but no less harrowing. Instead of North vs South it is Rich vs Poor, Black vs White, Democrat vs Republican and even Religion vs Religion. And the list goes on and on – Rural vs Urban, White Collar vs Blue Collar, Old vs Young.  Isn’t it obvious that, in the midst of the American Civil War that is raging around us, we must join with our forefathers of 150 years ago and fall on our faces before a Holy God – recognizing His holiness and our depravity – and, in that humility, fast and pray for His restoration of our Union.

No political solution will do. While courts can hear our arguments, they cannot hear our prayers. While politicians can promise an end to crime and violence there is no presidential candidate who can stop the evil one or forgive our sin. No congressional body or government program or regulatory agency can heal our land. And no political movement, march, or hashtag campaign can produce an end to our collective ills.  God and God alone has the power to restore us and that restoration will not be known as American Exceptionalism.  It will be known around the world as the Exceptional Work of God.  We’ve tried to fix things on our own.  Maybe now we can go to the One who made us a nation and ask Him to repair what He established in the first place.