Mark 14:12-26
Kobe Union Church - 24 November 2024
Preacher: Rev Mark Bartsch
Next week marks the beginning of the Advent season, but today we turn our attention to one of the most significant activities in the life of the church: the Lord’s Supper, also known as Communion, or, beautifully, the Love Feast. There are many things in church that we talk about—things I preach about—but sadly, there are some we do not practice enough. While we celebrate Communion about once a month, when was the last time you heard a sermon dedicated to its meaning and significance?
The Lord’s Table has unfortunately been a source of conflict within the Christian church. What does it mean? How should we partake of it? Is the bread literally the body of Christ, or does it symbolize His body? We use words like transubstantiation (the belief that the bread and cup are transformed into the body and blood of Christ) and consubstantiation (the belief that Christ is present in the elements but that they remain bread and wine).
Historically, disagreements over these questions have caused division. About 400 years ago, Martin Luther (founder of the Lutheran Church) and Ulrich Zwingli (founder of the Reformed Church) clashed over the meaning of Communion, preventing their followers from worshiping together for centuries. This is tragic. Yet, they were right in emphasizing the importance of taking Communion seriously—but not flippantly or continuously. Paul warns us that some have taken it carelessly and become spiritually sick because of it.
In seminary, I wrote a paper on the Lord’s Supper and got a “C.” So, perhaps you shouldn’t listen to me! But do you know what they call a doctor who gets C’s in medical school? “Doctor.”
The Joy of Communion
Today, we focus on the Passover meal Jesus shared with His disciples—a moment that instituted a new relationship with God through his one and only son. Jesus took the Passover, the most important Jewish tradition, and made it personal for all of us, much like He transformed the cross from a symbol of brutality into one of redemption and life.
Communion is a sacred experience, both in giving and receiving. However, it’s easy to forget that this was also a joyful meal. Last week, Stephanie reminded us of the woman who anointed Jesus with joy, despite others trying to rob her of it. Be on guard against those who try to steal the joy God has placed in your life, for “the joy of the Lord is our strength.”
The Biblical Account
On the Thursday before His crucifixion, as described in Mark 14:12-16, Jesus instructed His disciples to prepare for the Passover. He told them to look for a man carrying a jar of water—a task typically done by women. This man would lead them to a room Jesus referred to as “My room.” Some speculate that Jesus had prearranged this, but what if the man had gone elsewhere? Some mysteries, like the parting of the Red Sea, are simply matters of faith.
This moment mirrors an earlier event during Holy Week when Jesus told His disciples to find a colt for His triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Both moments illustrate Jesus’ divine orchestration of the events leading to His ultimate purpose.
In Luke 22:15, Jesus says, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.” The word eagerly is rare in Scripture, underscoring His deep desire to share this sacred moment. This meal wasn’t merely a tradition for Jesus; it was the bridge between the old covenant and the new.
The Passover meal commemorates Israel’s deliverance from Egypt, as outlined in Exodus 12. Each element of the Seder has rich symbolism:
Matzah (Unleavened Bread): Symbolizing haste, it reminds us of Jesus’ body, broken for us to bring immediate redemption.
Maror (Bitter Herbs): Representing the bitterness of slavery, it points to Jesus’ mission to free us from the bondage of sin.
Z’roa (Shank Bone): Representing the Passover lamb, it foreshadows Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
At the Last Supper, Jesus gave these symbols new meaning, saying, “This is my body” and “This is my blood of the covenant, poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 26:28). This fulfilled Jeremiah 31:33, where God promised to write His law on our hearts and establish a personal relationship with His people.
The Spirit of Communion
At KUC, we observe Communion in an orderly manner, but that first night, Jesus and His disciples reclined around a table, sharing bread and wine in a circle. The word communion comes from the Latin communis, meaning “common” or “together,” highlighting the unity it represents.
Paul, in 1 Corinthians 11, gives clear instructions for partaking in Communion:
Reverently: Treat it with the seriousness it deserves, recognizing it fills spiritual hunger, not physical hunger.
Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. (1 Cor 11:27)
With Self-Examination: Reflect on your relationship with God and confess your sins.
Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? (2 Cor 13:5)
Together: Communion reflects unity and love in the body of Christ.
The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread. (1 Cor 10:16-17)
When we partake in Communion, we proclaim the gospel: “Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.”
As we approach the table today, let us do so with reverence, gratitude, and joy for the new covenant Jesus established. In this meal, we not only remember His sacrifice but also celebrate the life and hope He offers us. May we always come to the table eager to receive and share in His love. Let’s pray
「新しい契約」マルコの福音書 14:12-26
神戸ユニオン教会 – 2024年11月24日
説教者：マーク・バーチ牧師
来週からアドベントの季節が始まりますが、今日は教会生活の中で最も重要な活動の一つである「主の晩餐」、または「聖餐式」、さらには美しく表現すれば「愛の宴」に目を向けましょう。教会で多く語られる事柄 - 私が説教で話すことも含め - の中には、残念ながら十分に実践されていないものがあります。私たちは月に一度聖餐式を行いますが、その意味と重要性についての説教を最後に聞いたのはいつでしょうか？
主の食卓は、キリスト教会の中で争いの原因となってきたことがあります。それは何を意味するのか？どのように行うべきか？パンはキリストの体そのものなのか、それとも象徴なのか？「化体説」（パンと杯がキリストの体と血に変わるという信仰）や「共在説」（キリストがパンと葡萄酒の中に臨在しているが、それらは依然としてパンと葡萄酒であるという信仰）といった言葉が使われます。
歴史的には、これらの問いに対する意見の違いが分裂を引き起こしてきました。約400年前、ルター派教会の創設者マルティン・ルターと改革派教会の創設者ウルリッヒ・ツウィングリが聖餐式の意味をめぐって衝突し、彼らの追随者たちが何世紀にもわたって共に礼拝することを妨げました。これは悲劇的なことです。しかし、彼らが聖餐式を軽率にではなく、真剣に受け止めるべきだと強調した点では正しかったのです。パウロは、一部の人々が軽率に行い、霊的に病気になったと警告しています。
神学校で私は主の晩餐について論文を書きましたが、評価は「C」でした。だから、私の話を聞くべきではないかもしれません！でも、医学部で「C」を取る医者を何と呼ぶか知っていますか？「お医者さん」です。
聖餐の喜び今日、私たちはイエスが弟子たちと共に過ごした過越の食事に焦点を当てます。この瞬間は、神との新しい関係を、ただひとりの御子を通して始めるものとなりました。イエスはユダヤ教で最も重要な伝統である過越を、私たち一人ひとりにとって個人的なものとしました。ちょうど、イエスが十字架を残虐性の象徴から贖いと命の象徴へと変えられたように。
聖餐は、与えることも受けることも聖なる体験です。しかし私たちはこれがまた喜びの食事でもあったことを忘れがちです。先週、ステファニーはイエスに喜びをもって香油を注いだ女性について思い出させてくれました。他の人たちがその喜びを奪おうとしても、彼女はその喜びを守りました。神が与えてくださる喜びを奪おうとする者たちに注意してください。「主の喜びが私たちの力です」。
聖書の記述イエスの十字架につけられる前の木曜日、マルコ14:12-16に記されているように、イエスは弟子たちに過越の準備をするよう命じました。イエスは水がめを運ぶ男を見つけるように指示しましたが、それは通常、女性が行う仕事でした。この男が彼らをイエスが「私の部屋」と呼ぶ部屋へと導きました。一部の人はイエスがこれを事前に手配していたと推測しますが、もしその男が別の場所に行っていたらどうなったでしょうか？
聖餐の精神KUCでは、私たちは聖餐を秩序正しく守ります。しかし、最初の夜、イエスと弟子たちはテーブルの周りに横たわりながらパンと葡萄酒を分かち合いました。「聖餐」という言葉はラテン語の「communis」（共通、一緒に）に由来し、それが象徴する一致を際立たせます。
パウロは1コリント11章で聖餐を受ける際の明確な指示を与えています：
敬虔に：それを真剣に扱い、霊的な飢えを満たすものとして認識すること。
自己吟味をもって：神との関係を振り返り、罪を告白すること。
共に：聖餐はキリストの体の中での一致と愛を反映しています。
私たちが聖餐に与るとき、「キリストは死なれた、キリストはよみがえられた、キリストは再び来られる」と福音を宣べ伝えます。
今日、主の食卓に近づくとき、イエスが築かれた新しい契約に感謝と喜びをもって近づきましょう。この食事において、私たちはイエスの犠牲を思い出すだけでなく、彼が私たちに提供してくださる命と希望をも祝います。喜びと愛を分かち合うために、心を開いて共にこの恵みの食卓に与りましょう。祈りましょう。
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