Commandment
Commentary
"Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me."
"This I command you, that you love one another, as I love you."
But is love truly love if it is not spontaneous? Is obedience truly obedience if under command?
There are always those who attach love simply to the feelings and then imagine that if one does not "feel" a thing, then somehow it is not legitimate.
Note that nowhere in the New Testament is there a command to "feel" love toward one another. The command is "to love." That is a verb phrase, a phrase denoting action, action born of the will, not feelings.
The problem with many of us is not our feelings at all. We "feel" that we ought to do something; doing it is something else. We "feel" warmly and felicitously toward others, but carrying out acts of care is something else again.
It is true. No one can command us to "feel" a certain way or even to "want" to do this or that. But if one is truly our Lord - owner; if one is truly our Master, then that Lord and Master has every right to expect (command) that we "do" certam things whether we "feel" or "want." We are not judged by feelings but by performance.
This same Lord and Master who dares command acts of love and who dares expect that we share the supper with one another is the same Lord who once declared, "Not everyone who says, 'Lord, Lord' shall enter the kingdom, but those who do the will of my Father."
OUTLINE I
More Than Communion
Exodus 34:3-11; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 (18-21); Mark 14:12-26
Introduction: Point out that the use of the word "communion" as a designation for the Lord's Supper has, to some degree, led us away from a full understanding of that in which we are involved. For many, the word communion denotes that we are in fellowship with one another when we gather at the table. There is certainly nothing wrong with that, but it is surely a partial understanding. The scriptures for today furnish a much deeper view.
Exodus: "They beheld God, and ate and drank." Note that no matter how primitive and anthropomorphic this scripture may appear, the point it makes is vital. The 74 who went up on Mount Sinai are not only in fellowship with one another, but above all else, in fellowship, eating and drinking, at table, with God. Little wonder all the dreams that Israel had regarding restoration and greatness always looked forward to the Lord's banquet, a time when Israel and her God would share the table together.
1 Corinthians: "You cannot drink of the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons." Though the context may relate to an understanding of how spirits get inside us, which seems primitive to us, the insight is critical. Jesus had already said it, "You cannot serve God and mammon." The jealous God (Exodus 20:5) will tolerate no pretenders at his table. Re-read the story surrounding 2 Kings 17:33. Assist the congregation in a consideration of the ways in which we do indeed sit at table with too many gods.
Mark: Even the betrayer is at his table. The door is still open. It is his table to which we are invited, as was Judas. It is he who accepts and waits.
Conclusion: Seek a deeper understanding of this dimension of the presence of the holy when we are at his table. Discuss what that has to do with our daily lives.
OUTLINE II
Is It I?
Mark 14:12-16
Introduction: A general discussion of the event itself is in order. Do some study on the Feast of Unleavened Bread and share insights. Note the interesting things such as a man carrying a jar of water, Jesus' obvious preparation for this evening together, the inclusion of the betrayer at the table, and the statement regarding the kingdom of God which clearly expresses the desire of Mark's church for deliverance from the chaos of the late 60s.
Is it I?: Surely if the kingdom was about to be given, the members of that early body of Christians wanted to be found faithful when the hour struck.
Is it I?: How difficult it must have been to remain steadfast when caught between the pressures brought to bear by the hawks who wanted a confrontation with Rome and the doves who wanted to go along and get along. Those who refused to take sides lost with both sides. What about it? Has my behavior today betrayed my spoken commitment?
Is it I?: With the seige of Vespasian and his son, Titus, making things difficult and keeping food on the table and meeting the needs of my family on my daily agenda, how am I doing? Do I compromise too much, bend too far? Can they tell I am his disciple?
Is it I?: Project situations that today put us in the same bind as the disciples and those in the early church. Help the congregation to see that only those who constantly ask the question, "Is it I," are likely to stay alert and remain loyal.
OUTLINE III
Need A Title
Exodus 24:3-11
Introduction: Retell the story that leads up to the events at Sinai. This is a good place to tell the congregation that this story was added to the tradition after Israel had finally despaired of kings and was embarked on a "back to Moses" movement meant to save the nation. Note that the laws are more suited to a people about to go home and start over again than to a bunch of slaves about to spend forty years in the wilderness.
Clues to the Contemporary Scene: The twelve pillars representing the twelve tribes of Israel, the blood ritual better suited to a sacrificial cult of the temple, the making of a covenant in the style of Ezra and Nehemiah. See Nehemiah 8.
Validation by the Ancient: The use of the names of Moses and Aaron and the others gives all that happens the sanction and support of the past when the favor of God clearly rested on Israel. Surely that favor is not present now. A people who have lost their way are seeking a way to get back on track.
How It All Relates to Us: Here we see a people (whether in Moses' day or in the days of the Exile) seeking to find a way to get back on track.
How It All Relates to Us: Here we see a people (whether in Moses' day or in the days of the Exile) seeking to find a way to be holy, to be worthy, to be acceptable. It is very often the manner in which we seek to relate to God. The truth is to be found both in the Exodus account and in the New Testament account. The sprinkling of the blood on the people and the offering of the cup and bread tell of a God who has already chosen us. Now all we have to do is say "yes" and let his spirit begin to make us new creatures.
Conclusion: Refer to such scriptures as Isaiah 1:18; 2 Corinthians 5:16, 17 and the like.
"This I command you, that you love one another, as I love you."
But is love truly love if it is not spontaneous? Is obedience truly obedience if under command?
There are always those who attach love simply to the feelings and then imagine that if one does not "feel" a thing, then somehow it is not legitimate.
Note that nowhere in the New Testament is there a command to "feel" love toward one another. The command is "to love." That is a verb phrase, a phrase denoting action, action born of the will, not feelings.
The problem with many of us is not our feelings at all. We "feel" that we ought to do something; doing it is something else. We "feel" warmly and felicitously toward others, but carrying out acts of care is something else again.
It is true. No one can command us to "feel" a certain way or even to "want" to do this or that. But if one is truly our Lord - owner; if one is truly our Master, then that Lord and Master has every right to expect (command) that we "do" certam things whether we "feel" or "want." We are not judged by feelings but by performance.
This same Lord and Master who dares command acts of love and who dares expect that we share the supper with one another is the same Lord who once declared, "Not everyone who says, 'Lord, Lord' shall enter the kingdom, but those who do the will of my Father."
OUTLINE I
More Than Communion
Exodus 34:3-11; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 (18-21); Mark 14:12-26
Introduction: Point out that the use of the word "communion" as a designation for the Lord's Supper has, to some degree, led us away from a full understanding of that in which we are involved. For many, the word communion denotes that we are in fellowship with one another when we gather at the table. There is certainly nothing wrong with that, but it is surely a partial understanding. The scriptures for today furnish a much deeper view.
Exodus: "They beheld God, and ate and drank." Note that no matter how primitive and anthropomorphic this scripture may appear, the point it makes is vital. The 74 who went up on Mount Sinai are not only in fellowship with one another, but above all else, in fellowship, eating and drinking, at table, with God. Little wonder all the dreams that Israel had regarding restoration and greatness always looked forward to the Lord's banquet, a time when Israel and her God would share the table together.
1 Corinthians: "You cannot drink of the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons." Though the context may relate to an understanding of how spirits get inside us, which seems primitive to us, the insight is critical. Jesus had already said it, "You cannot serve God and mammon." The jealous God (Exodus 20:5) will tolerate no pretenders at his table. Re-read the story surrounding 2 Kings 17:33. Assist the congregation in a consideration of the ways in which we do indeed sit at table with too many gods.
Mark: Even the betrayer is at his table. The door is still open. It is his table to which we are invited, as was Judas. It is he who accepts and waits.
Conclusion: Seek a deeper understanding of this dimension of the presence of the holy when we are at his table. Discuss what that has to do with our daily lives.
OUTLINE II
Is It I?
Mark 14:12-16
Introduction: A general discussion of the event itself is in order. Do some study on the Feast of Unleavened Bread and share insights. Note the interesting things such as a man carrying a jar of water, Jesus' obvious preparation for this evening together, the inclusion of the betrayer at the table, and the statement regarding the kingdom of God which clearly expresses the desire of Mark's church for deliverance from the chaos of the late 60s.
Is it I?: Surely if the kingdom was about to be given, the members of that early body of Christians wanted to be found faithful when the hour struck.
Is it I?: How difficult it must have been to remain steadfast when caught between the pressures brought to bear by the hawks who wanted a confrontation with Rome and the doves who wanted to go along and get along. Those who refused to take sides lost with both sides. What about it? Has my behavior today betrayed my spoken commitment?
Is it I?: With the seige of Vespasian and his son, Titus, making things difficult and keeping food on the table and meeting the needs of my family on my daily agenda, how am I doing? Do I compromise too much, bend too far? Can they tell I am his disciple?
Is it I?: Project situations that today put us in the same bind as the disciples and those in the early church. Help the congregation to see that only those who constantly ask the question, "Is it I," are likely to stay alert and remain loyal.
OUTLINE III
Need A Title
Exodus 24:3-11
Introduction: Retell the story that leads up to the events at Sinai. This is a good place to tell the congregation that this story was added to the tradition after Israel had finally despaired of kings and was embarked on a "back to Moses" movement meant to save the nation. Note that the laws are more suited to a people about to go home and start over again than to a bunch of slaves about to spend forty years in the wilderness.
Clues to the Contemporary Scene: The twelve pillars representing the twelve tribes of Israel, the blood ritual better suited to a sacrificial cult of the temple, the making of a covenant in the style of Ezra and Nehemiah. See Nehemiah 8.
Validation by the Ancient: The use of the names of Moses and Aaron and the others gives all that happens the sanction and support of the past when the favor of God clearly rested on Israel. Surely that favor is not present now. A people who have lost their way are seeking a way to get back on track.
How It All Relates to Us: Here we see a people (whether in Moses' day or in the days of the Exile) seeking to find a way to get back on track.
How It All Relates to Us: Here we see a people (whether in Moses' day or in the days of the Exile) seeking to find a way to be holy, to be worthy, to be acceptable. It is very often the manner in which we seek to relate to God. The truth is to be found both in the Exodus account and in the New Testament account. The sprinkling of the blood on the people and the offering of the cup and bread tell of a God who has already chosen us. Now all we have to do is say "yes" and let his spirit begin to make us new creatures.
Conclusion: Refer to such scriptures as Isaiah 1:18; 2 Corinthians 5:16, 17 and the like.
