Thursday/The Taste of Holy Week – Mark 14:22-24; John 20:25-27; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Isn’t it interesting this Sunday we are going to celebrate the resurrection of an actual body? Jesus, not just His Spirit but His Body, came back to life. Remember what he said to doubting Thomas. “Touch me. Feel my wounds, my side.”
So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” John 20:25-27
In the Christian faith, our bodies are important. They are not just secondary. Our bodies are not more significant nor are they less than significant than our minds and our spirits. So it shouldn’t surprise us when we come to Thursday, Jesus deals with the physical realm of his body as they partake of the final meal. In fact, we know from history, the early church was accused of cannibalism because the surrounding culture didn’t understand this idea of “taking the body” of Jesus as we observe communion.
Mark 14:22-24 – And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. And he said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.
When we go to the bread and the wine, we are reminded this is not just a religion of ideas and philosophies. This is historical. This is real. This was the real suffering of God in the flesh. Jesus was real. What he did was real. And even today, right now, in this moment, He wants to know you and be known by you.
Questions: Do you know him? Have you come to the table to taste and see that He is good?
Experiential Suggestion: Taste - Today let me encourage you, at sundown, to take the Lord’s Supper/Communion in your home. You can invite your friends or just do it with your family. Let 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 be your guide if you’re not sure what to say. You can also read the rest of the chapter if you need more guidance.