" 'For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.' And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, 'This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.' In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.' " Luke 22:18-20
"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat." Luke 22:31
"Come to me, all who are struggling hard and carrying heavy loads." Matthew 11:28
The words from Matthew are sometimes used in the invitation to the Lord's Supper. This invitation seeks out a specific audience for its gift. Those who labor and struggle hard. Those whose backs or spirits are heavy laden and carry heavy loads.
Are you one of those?
Confession is good for the soul. We know the importance of confessing sin. Those who see no fault in themselves are generally hard to live with, badly mistaken, or both. John Indermark reminds us that sometimes the baring of the need for God in life - and what else is confession but being honest to God - is not so much for forgiveness as it is for strength. Or comfort. Or rest. Or the assurance that God has not left the premises.
Listen to the Psalms. Their outright confessions of sin are significantly outnumbered by confession of raw need for God's intervention - and laments that God seems too far or too long removed. "How long...O Lord?" (Psalm 13:1). "Why have you forgotten me?" (Psalm 42:9).
Have you heard those cries before? Have you raised those cries before?
If so, Jesus' words may become clearer in meaning and promise to you. For the ones who lift up such cries are the ones for whom those words are aimed. The ones who come to the place in their lives - in your life - where God seems too far or too long removed are usually brought their by carrying heavy loads or struggling under hard labor. The load of illness or estrangement. The struggle of making ends meet or making sense of what defies sense.
If you have ever found yourself in such a place or time, if you are now in such a place or time, Jesus offers this word to you. To bring rest in the midst of your labors. To bring peace in the midst of your struggles.
What has become a burden and struggle in your life?
Envision Christ saying to you, "Come to me and lay your struggle in my arms. I will carry it awhile." Open to the rest it offers. And then envision this every time the burden or struggle looms before you.
Dear Jesus, thank you for your love and care of us. Thank you for never leaving us alone to deal with life and all it entails. Just as Peter was tested, so are we. But in the testing we learn and become stronger for You. May we always remember that You are with us. We anxiously await the kingdom of God and to sit with you at Your banquet table to partake in the supper You have prepared for us. In Jesus' name, Amen!
