There are times when it is especially important to be prepared. For example, transition times, like when your child is leaving home to go out into the cold, hard world on his own, or when a soldier is going into war. These are times when it pays to be as prepared as possible.
At the Last Supper, Jesus knew that when his disciples left the comfortable confines of the upper room that they would face a severe test. The soldiers would come, he would be arrested and killed, and beyond that, after the resurrection, he would leave them in a hostile world to fulfill his mission. For them, it was like leaving home to work in a hard world, or even like going off to war.
Jesus wanted them to be prepared. The last thing he said to them, according to Luke, before leaving and going to Gethsemane and the cross was about being prepared, "Earlier," he said, "I sent you out on mission without money bag, knapsack, and sandals, ... but now, he who has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a knapsack; and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one." The disciples still did not understand that the kingdom Jesus was bringing was not a political-military one and so they misunderstood his words about the sword. They took him literally and someone said, "Lord, look, here are two swords." He replied, I think with some sarcasm, "That's enough!" Or as some commentaries say, "Enough of such talk!"
We know that from other things Jesus said that he did not mean they should literally use the sword to fulfill his mission. But he knew that they would be engaged in spiritual warfare and they must be ready for it. This is why Paul, in Ephesians 6, urged us to put on "the whole armor of God ... and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God."
When we leave the comfortable confines of this room, the warmth of Christian fellowship, and go out into the world we too will face challenges of many kinds. Will we be ready? Will we be prepared? In a sense, everything we do here helps us get ready. Our songs express scripture and the Christian faith, our minister preaches the Word of God, we pray for each other, and we meet with our Lord at this table. In these ways we put on the whole armor of God and take up the sword of the Spirit. And with this preparation we go out confidently to live and serve Him in this world.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Monday, April 7, 2008
Wounded Healers Table Talk #4
In Luke's account of the Last Supper Jesus has some farewell words in addition to identifying the bread with his body and the cup with his blood, and urging us to remember him. He could see what was coming when they left the upper room, just as he can see what is coming for us when we leave the Lord's Table. Speaking to Peter but including the others (the "you" is plural), he says,
Simon, Simon! Look out! Satan has asked for you all, to sift all of you like wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith might not give out. You, for your part when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers. Peter said to him, "Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death." But Jesus said, "I tell you Peter, a cock will not crow this day before you have denied three times that you know me." (Luke 22:31-34, The Word Commentary translation).
Jesus knows that when his people leave the safe and comfortable confines of their meal together that they will face everything that Satan can throw at them. He will attack our weak points, whatever they are, and like those early disciples, we too are likely to falter and fail. Peter doesn't think he will and assures Jesus that he will go to prison and death with him, but Jesus predicts his downfall too. Before the night is over he will deny Jesus three times. But, Jesus says, "I have prayed for you that your faith might not give out."
Here is a leader, a fallen leader, if you will, who because he has been prayed for and has returned, or repented, will be able to strengthen his fellow disciples. He will be what has been called "a wounded healer." We often expect leaders, especially in the church, to be perfect. But they are human. Like Peter, they have weaknesses and fail, sometimes at critical moments. They have been wounded by Satan's attack. But if they are prayed for, as Jesus prayed for Peter, and if they repent, as Peter did, Jesus still has a job for them. They become stronger through all of this and are able to fulfill Jesus' desire that they strengthen others.
At this table we are all disciples who need strengthening; but at the same time we are all leaders in one way or another who can strengthen others. We too are wounded healers. We need to pray for each other, and we need to repent, and then Jesus can use us.
Simon, Simon! Look out! Satan has asked for you all, to sift all of you like wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith might not give out. You, for your part when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers. Peter said to him, "Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death." But Jesus said, "I tell you Peter, a cock will not crow this day before you have denied three times that you know me." (Luke 22:31-34, The Word Commentary translation).
Jesus knows that when his people leave the safe and comfortable confines of their meal together that they will face everything that Satan can throw at them. He will attack our weak points, whatever they are, and like those early disciples, we too are likely to falter and fail. Peter doesn't think he will and assures Jesus that he will go to prison and death with him, but Jesus predicts his downfall too. Before the night is over he will deny Jesus three times. But, Jesus says, "I have prayed for you that your faith might not give out."
Here is a leader, a fallen leader, if you will, who because he has been prayed for and has returned, or repented, will be able to strengthen his fellow disciples. He will be what has been called "a wounded healer." We often expect leaders, especially in the church, to be perfect. But they are human. Like Peter, they have weaknesses and fail, sometimes at critical moments. They have been wounded by Satan's attack. But if they are prayed for, as Jesus prayed for Peter, and if they repent, as Peter did, Jesus still has a job for them. They become stronger through all of this and are able to fulfill Jesus' desire that they strengthen others.
At this table we are all disciples who need strengthening; but at the same time we are all leaders in one way or another who can strengthen others. We too are wounded healers. We need to pray for each other, and we need to repent, and then Jesus can use us.
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