For the Life of the World

In this morning’s sermon I argued that we begin to correct our posture towards the world by participating in the service of covenant renewal. This is preeminently true as we come to the Table each week. For in offering the ‘creatures’ of bread and wine to God, we are symbolically offering the world to God. Just as Israel was God’s priestly nation and thus worshipped on behalf of the world, even so do we. Under the OC this was given clearest expression in the Feast of Booths wherein 70 bulls were offered, one for each of the nations listed in Gen. 10. For us this priestly calling is fulfilled most clearly in the offertory and prayers of intercession. In this movement of the service we are bringing the world to God and wrestling with God in prayer for her life and redemption. Which brings us to this moment, when we are seated to keep the feast. Yet, even in feasting the life of the world is in view. For in a moment I will break the bread that Jesus described as, “My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.” And in feeding upon the bread of life you are being transformed so to live for the life of world; to give your own bodies as broken bread in service for the life of the world. In this light I encourage you to allow this Table to transform the tables in your homes. One of the central occasions that Christ redeemed during his earthly ministry was mealtime. It seems that Christ never passed up an opportunity to eat with “outsiders.” Thus it was around the table, as well as in the streets, that gracious words fell from lips of our Savior. These no doubt proved to be opportune times for Christ to demonstrate wisdom, grace, and wit in answering the questions of tax collectors and sinners. Consider how you might open your lives/homes, to those around you and receive them to your table with the same grace that God receives you to His. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit!