As we continue our journey through Lent, we come to one of the most intimate and theologically rich moments in Jesus’s life: the Last Supper. It’s here, in this sacred meal shared on the eve of His crucifixion, that Jesus teaches His disciples not with words or miracles—but with a meal.
Jesus the Teacher: More Than Words
Jesus was a master teacher. He used parables, sermons, and signs to reveal the kingdom of God. He calmed storms to demonstrate His authority, healed the broken to reveal His compassion, and confronted religious elites to proclaim truth.
But His most powerful lessons weren’t always spoken. Two of the most significant teachings of His ministry—the washing of His disciples’ feet and the giving of bread and wine at the Last Supper—were embodied. He didn’t preach a sermon on humility; He knelt with a towel. He didn’t write a treatise on atonement; He broke the bread and gave the cup.
The Table as a Theological Moment
The Last Supper is more than a farewell meal. It is the beginning of a new covenant, a redefinition of the ancient Passover in light of what Jesus is about to do on the cross.
Jesus says, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.” This is the moment He has been waiting for. Not the miracles, not the debates, not even the raising of Lazarus—but this meal, which points forward to the cross and to resurrection life.
At that table, Jesus identifies Himself as the true Passover Lamb, whose body will be broken and blood poured out for the salvation of the world. Just as the Israelites were spared from judgment when they marked their doors with the blood of the lamb, so now we are spared by the blood of Christ.
“Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” —John 1:29
Why Bread and Wine?
We might ask: why these elements? Why bread and wine?
Bread is the “bread of affliction”, a reminder of suffering and deliverance from slavery in Egypt. Jesus redefines it: “This is my body, broken for you.” The bread speaks of suffering, yes—but also of sustenance. Christ is now our true nourishment.
And wine? Wine is more than a beverage—it is a symbol of joy and transformation. At Pentecost, when the Spirit was poured out, the disciples were accused of being drunk. Why? Because something had changed. The Spirit alters our hearts and our personalities, just like wine alters the senses. Jesus offers wine because His blood, and the Spirit it brings, transforms who we are.
“It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” —Galatians 2:20
Wine is also a symbol of celebration. The prophets foretold that when the Messiah came, the mountains would drip with new wine (cf. Joel 3:18). The Last Supper is not only a picture of suffering—it’s a preview of joy. Jesus says He won’t drink again until the kingdom comes, pointing ahead to the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 21).
Real Presence: Christ at the Table
For those in the Wesleyan tradition, communion is not just a remembrance. It is a sacrament—a mystery in which Christ is truly present.
No, we do not believe the bread literally turns into flesh or the cup into blood. But we do believe—firmly and joyfully—that Christ meets us here, in a real and unique way. His life-transforming presence is poured out to those who come in faith.
When we eat this bread and drink this cup, we are not simply remembering a historical event—we are receiving grace. We are being nourished by the living Christ.
And if Jesus were physically standing in the foyer of our church, we would run to meet Him. But He is here—present in the meal. And we should come to the table with that same sense of urgency, reverence, and joy.
An Open Table, A Costly Invitation
At Wellspring, we practice an open table. All who hunger and thirst for righteousness are welcome. You do not need to be a member, or meet a checklist of qualifications. Jesus didn’t exclude even Judas from the meal.
But with that welcome comes a holy warning: this is not a casual ritual. Paul reminds us that those who take the meal unworthily eat and drink judgment on themselves (1 Cor. 11:27). Why? Because this is a place of death and resurrection. When we come to the table, we come to die to ourselves and rise in Christ.
You can’t both remain alive to yourself and be alive in Christ. One must die.
If you are not ready to surrender, it’s okay to wait. But if you are—come. The table is open.
Live the Lesson
Finally, communion is not only something we receive—it’s something we must live.
Jesus taught not just with words, but with action. And we are called to do the same.
- You can talk about love, but do you forgive?
- You can post Scripture, but do you serve your enemies?
- You can go to church, but are you the church?
The world is watching—not for our theology, but for our transformation. When we live the life of Christ, the lesson becomes visible.
Conclusion: This Is the Moment
Jesus said, “I have earnestly desired to eat this meal with you.” He wasn’t only speaking to the twelve. He was speaking to you.
This is the moment He’s been waiting for. The cross, the resurrection, the Spirit—all of it is so He could take up residence in you, cleanse your heart, and shape you into the person He created you to be.
So come to the table—not just to remember, but to be changed.
He’s here. And He’s waiting.
