2006-10-08 Communion Dedication – Baldwin Christian Church 

Mark 14 

22 And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body.

23 And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it.

24 And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.

25 Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God.

26 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives. 

Going to His death, Jesus sang a hymn. 

As we sit at His table, it is a time to reflect, to weigh the differences between Jesus and ourselves.  In the same way Jesus offered this bread and wine to the twelve, He offers all of us forgiveness.   He says, “Take”, so we have a choice to either take hold of something we can’t see, or live this life taking hold of the things we can see.  Jesus knows better than anyone what is best for you and me, and He gives us a free choice to either believe in Him, or reject Him.  The man who betrayed Jesus to death was offered the same choice that we are, and he chose a few shiny coins over Jesus. 

Think about the past week.  Can you remember a time that you put more weight on something your eyes saw or your ears heard than you did on Jesus? 

In between verses 25 and 26 of this passage, Judas left Jesus to go get his shiny coins.  With each step toward those coins, Judas’ heart grew a little colder.  Even though Jesus knew this would happen, He allowed Judas to partake of this feast.  The offer was on the table, but Judas couldn’t see it, so he left.  I don’t know if I would have allowed Judas to join in this supper in the first place, much less wash his feet.  That is one of the huge differences between Jesus and me, but He gives me the choice to work with Him on closing that gap.  Every step I take toward the things I can see or hear, my heart grows a little colder, and bitter disappointment grows a little bigger.  Every step I take toward Him, in believing what He said, and following Him a little closer, the disappointment gets a little smaller, and the warmth in my heart gets better and better. 

Jesus sang, so let us sing.