March 5, 2006am     Will we come to the table?   Luke 22

By Ronald E. George Jr. at the Fayetteville Baptist Church

The Lord’s Supper is an invitation for all who believe to come and sit down with other believers to remember the sacrifice our Lord has made in our behalf.  When we come we can’t pick and choose who will be among the participants.  We must come as we are and accept those who sit there as fellow members of the family of God.  Who is at the table?  Who are invited to come?  Will you come to remember and worship the unseen God? 

John 4:23 (NIV) Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth."

Luke 22:1 (NIV) Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching, 2 and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus, for they were afraid of the people. 3 Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. 4 And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. 5 They were delighted and agreed to give him money. 6 He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present. 7 Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. 8 Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, "Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover." 9 "Where do you want us to prepare for it?" they asked. 10 He replied, "As you enter the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him to the house that he enters, 11 and say to the owner of the house, `The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?' 12 He will show you a large upper room, all furnished. Make preparations there." 13 They left and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover. 14 When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. 15 And he said to them, "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God." 17 After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, "Take this and divide it among you. 18 For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes." 19 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me." 20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. 21 But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table. 22 The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed, but woe to that man who betrays him." 23 They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this. 24 Also a dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. 25 Jesus said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. 26 But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. 27 For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.

His Servants come to the table.  The humble come to the table.

Have we come to be served?

The hated of society come to the table.  Have we forgiven those at the table?

Sinners come to the table.  Recognize that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.

Saints come to the table.  This is who we are now in the Lord. 

The betrayer comes to the table.  The selfish were at the table. 

Judas is invited to come to repent and turn to the Lord. 

The disciples come to the table.  The learners come to the table.  These are those who have decided to follow the Lord and his way for their lives. 

The prepared come to the table.  The table has been set.  All has been made ready for you to come to partake. 

The believers come to the table. Those who believe in the Lord and are willing to follow come to the table. 

The hungry come to the table.  Those who come to the table and want to be filled. 

The thirsty come to the table. Those who want his sacrifice for their sins and have accepted him come to the table. 

The fishermen, the tax collectors, the brothers, and possibly others were all at the table.  The everyday people come to the table. 

The sacrifice comes to the table. 

The Creator comes to the table. 

The Lord comes to the table as a servant.  Have we come to serve?

Will you come to the table?  Come to remember that gave His life for you.  Come to remember that you have taken Him as your sacrifice.  Will you partake today?