Each week I will post a summary of points and scripture readings (or links to documents) that I have referred to in our discussion.

This morning's session -

Jesus' Table Manners

To begin with an intro to the topic of communion.Why do we partake in this ritual? What does it mean to us? How does it transform us? Why have we chosen to do in the way we do?

The Last Supper

Davinci's famous painting is iconic and gives the world an image of this event - the last fellowship meal Jesus had with his followers.

The meal was a Jewish Seder - celebrated during Passover. A meal where different foods were given symbolism. In this context, Jesus' invested meaning into the bread and the wine.

Some background on the words:

1Cor. 10:16

16The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a sharing in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a sharing in the body of Christ?

This verse reference to sharing (Grk. Koinonia) in the body and blood, is the source of the name: Communion.

1 Cor. 11: 24 gives us the reference for the Eucharist. The thanksgiving (Gk: Eucharistoun)

23 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for [5] you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

Jesus words on the last supper - in the synoptic gospels.

Matt 26: 26-28

Mark 14: 22-25

Luke 22: 17 - 20

Scholarly Discourse

Now scholars argue, that’s what they like to do, about whether the last supper as explained in the gospels was a part of Jesus’ story, as if it was liturgical text from the early church that was inserted as part of the story. In other words the accounts of what the church did read back into the lifetime of Jesus.

Jesus and “Sinners” at the table

(adapted from sources, including How to Read the Gospels and Acts - Joel B. Green)

This was the central theme of this morning's session. The significance of sharing a meal in First Century Palestine was quite different than sharing a meal in current western society. The significance of meeting others at the table is seen throughout Scripture -the story of Lot visited by the Angels (Gen. 19) is a shocking example of those table laws. Betrayal at the table was one of the most severe insults. Jesus references Psalm 41:9 when (in John 13:8) he predicts this betrayal: “He who shares my bread has lifted up his heel against me.”

Jesus broke down social barriers, and practiced an open table with outcasts, sinners, and those considered unclean by Jewish Purity Laws. For this inclusive practice, he was openly criticised and called a drunkard and a glutton.

Meals as well as having a social significance had a deep religious significance. God prepares a table for us (Psalm 23). God invites to feast (Prov. 9: 1-6).

Again, this focuses the point that Jesus challenging Jewish Ritualistic Purity Laws crossed social, political, and religious boundaries. By drawing out the significance of Jesus' meal practices (or what I called: manners) - we see just how radical and ultimately transformative of a message this was.

Read the story of Zaccheus (Luke 19) for a good example of how the invitation to the table was transformative.

Read the story of the good samaritan (Luke 10 25:37) as another example of  Jesus challenging the purity laws - and how he replaced this ritual cleanliness with compassion.

By the way, if you are looking for a good online Bible source. Here is one for the NRSV. And another one from the ESV (English Standard Version).

Some questions to ponder:

• What do Jesus' practices tell us about inclusivity?

• How is this similar to our ritual of communion (which ultimately grew out of Jesus' breaking of bread with others)?

• How do our rituals and actions differ from Jesus' practice?

Next time we will review any thoughts that have come out of this talk of table practices. As well we will spend some time with the parable of the Great Banquet (Luke 14: 15-24).

And what did Jesus mean when he said:

For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes. (Luke 22:18)

And, if that's not enough (!) we will look at early church practices of The Lord's Supper in 1Cor. Notably in Chapters 10 and 11.

See you then.