My one and only visit was as leader of a small group of
parishioners and friends who were touring the Holy Land almost
fifteen years ago. I keep threatening to go back again (and some
of you have indicated an interest in going, so...one of these
days). It is a fascinating trip - so many of the decisive
moments in world history have taken place on that sandy, blood-soaked soil. And for people of faith, a visit helps to bring to
life the stories we began learning from our youngest childhood.
I read familiar passages and think, "I've been there."
We had been warned ahead of time about our visit to the
Upper Room. You see, clever tour leader that I was, it had
occurred to me how meaningful it would be for our group to
celebrate the Lord's Supper in this space where Jesus and the
Twelve may very well have partaken on the night before the
crucifixion. Of course, every other preacher-leader has the same
inspiration, so, long ago, the tourist authorities in charge of
the building said, "No way, never!" Too bad.
Our little band arrived in the room just as another group of
Christian tourists were concluding their visit. Wait a minute.
It was obvious they had just shared bread and cup. Special
moment. There was a joy on their faces that was a positive glow.
But...but. But we had been TOLD... As they made their way out,
I asked our Israeli tour guide who had been the one who had
previously informed us of the No Communion rule what was going
on. She said the rule still stood and was vigorously enforced...
mostly - the only reason that the previous group got away with
their service was that they were Pentecostals...hands in the air,
faces toward heaven, eyes closed in religious ecstacy. The
Pentecostals could get away with anything they wanted because the
authorities were afraid of them. They thought these folks were
all CRAZY; who knew what mayhem might ensue if anyone got them
upset? Well, OK. I've been there too... not with my Pentecostal
friends, but there HAVE been folks I would avoid if at all
possible, not wanting to say or do anything that would make them
crazier than they already were. You too?
I wonder if Jesus ever felt that way. I doubt it, otherwise
he would have been a bit more selective in his choice of friends.
After all, the Twelve were NOT your normal dozen or so who would
have gravitated together under any other circumstance. Some,
perhaps: Peter, Andrew, James, John - fishermen...that would be a
common bond. But even among them, there had been an argument
about who would hold the most favored positions in the coming
kingdom. Add someone like Matthew, a tax collector? Someone who
was thought of as a traitor to his own people, willing to sell
himself in the service of Rome? Then, put Matthew in the same
room as the other Simon, the Simon who is identified in scripture
as the ZEALOT, a man whose politics hated anything Roman and
advocated the violent overthrow of the government, and we have a
war waiting to break out right there under those arches. The
story of Jesus washing everyone's feet at the beginning of the
meal is just one more clue to this group. Foot washing was the
task of the lowliest house servant - since NONE of the Twelve
would be bothered to stoop to such a level, Jesus took on the
duty himself. What a group! For what it is worth, there are
still plenty of good church folk who are no different. Believe
me. I've been there too.
We should not be surprised though. This DOES sound like a
crowd that Jesus would bring together. You remember the
complaints the religious folk had about him - he eats with the
wrong people..."tax collectors and sinners" was the phrase! They
knew back then, just as Middle Schoolers in the Cafeteria know
today, that we are KNOWN by those with whom we share a table.
But, share a table he did, and ever after, we have all been
welcome to join the feast. Rich and poor, sick and healthy,
sinners and saints. No limits. Anyone who is willing to be a
friend. Wonderful. Thank God, I've been there too!
The story does not end with that though. If it did, we
might remember this as Communion Thursday or even Foot-Washing
Thursday. But we call it MAUNDY Thursday, the "maundy" coming
from a Latin word meaning commandment. This, first and foremost
is COMMANDMENT Thursday: Jesus says to his friends, "I give you a
new commandment, that you love one another." When you consider
that bunch who first heard this instruction, you realize that
these are not just warm-fuzzy words. Jesus' demand is that the
differences be put aside, natural alliances be discarded, pet
peeves be shelved, politics be left at the door. This is not
easy. But what should we think? Should the Lord expect less of
his friends? Of course not. He expects the BEST from us. And
we know it. Have you been there? I have.
That group of twelve managed...amazingly. They DID put
aside their differences. They gathered around Jesus. They were
energized. And despite all they would go through in coming days,
the bond of fellowship that was cemented at the table held tight.
They went out from that Upper Room and changed the whole world.
Now, we are invited back to the Upper Room. Bread? Cup?
Why not? Crazy? Perhaps, a little. Enough to put aside all our
differences and join together in a common task? Absolutely. And
when it happens, it changes the world. I've been there. Have
you?
Let us pray.
Lord, we are amazed at the way differences between people
can melt away at your table. It is one more of your miracles.
Help us to understand and celebrate the unity you give. We pray
in the name of Jesus. Amen!
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