Dinner with Jesus

The day that the church calls Maundy Thursday is unfortunately overlooked and underappreciated in the church. When Jesus was reclining at a table and celebrating a Passover meal with his disciples, he changed the way all of us practice our faith. By taking a loaf of bread, blessing it, breaking it, giving it to his disciples and then saying, “Take, eat; this is my body,” Jesus (among many things) illustrated his sacrifice on the cross; by taking a cup, giving thanks for it, and then saying, “drink from it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sin” Jesus (among many things) illustrated that forgiveness would from then on come through him. When I stand behind a Communion Table and share these words with people, I often am amazed at the revolutionary nature of Jesus’ words and actions.

Not all churches celebrate Maundy Thursday, but we do at Chain of Lakes Church. Tonight we will gather at 7:00 p.m. at the Lino Lakes Senior Center to celebrate what we’re calling “Dinner with Jesus.” We won’t be eating physical food, but instead we’ll be remembering what it was like for the disciples to share that Passover meal with Jesus. We will be sitting in concentric circles around the Communion Table. We’ll sing, pray, share our burdens with each other, celebrate Communion, and leave in silence. I encourage people in the north Metro to come. Directions to the Senior Center can be found at colpres.org. Child care will be available.

During worship we will take an offering for the scholarship fund of Bentley Ducharme. Bentley is the son of Trevor Robinson--Trevor died in a drug overdose recently in Blaine. Taking this offering is one way that we at Chain of Lakes can response to the brokenness in the world. We, at Chain of Lakes, have no connection to the Robinson family. However, we still want to help. I talked this week to Bentley's aunt. She was touched that a community who doesn't know her family would reach out with such kindness. I see this offering as one way that Chain of Lakes Church can live out our Core Value of "Outward Focus."

The word “Maundy” is the Latin word. It means commandment. The commandment that we remember today is the new one that Jesus issued. He commanded all of us to love one another just as he loved us. I’m wondering if all of us can take steps today towards living out this commandment

Today—Thursday, April 21, is not an ordinary day. The world is pausing to remember and celebrate the revolution that Jesus started in the Upper Room. I’m praying that churches will be packed tonight.