A Crumb, A Crown, A Cross
I sat across the table from him. I could tell this wasn't a normal Passover meal. It was just something about his manner that alerted me to an unusual atmosphere. Jesus stood and picked up the bread. Quietly he gave thanks to his Father. He broke the bread slowly, almost painfully, it seemed. I wondered what he was thinking. As he passed the bread around the table he said, "This is my body, which is broken for you." As my hand reached out and took the bread, Jesus drew his hand back and gently wiped the crumbs from his palm. I thought ahead to the cross and the agony his broken body would sustain. He was God but he had a human form that could feel the texture of a crumb on his skin. I could not imagine the pain that body would feel from a crown of thorns, punctured hands and feet, pierced sides.
As he passed the cup he looked into the eyes of each of us. He said, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood." I understood that what he was about to do at Calvary was the fulfillment of God's promise from the book of Genesis. The cross would be the completion. This would be the great blood covenant and this man handing me the cup would be providing the blood to seal the promise. As his eyes met mine they appeared to look right through me. Nothing could hide from him. The word "covenant" seemed to hang in the air. My hand hesitated as I reached for the cup. It was not a hesitation of denial, but rather of consideration of the cost. Was I prepared to join this covenant? My hand returned to rest on the table and Jesus waited, watching me. He did not speak but my own thoughts whirled in my head. What did it mean to share this cup with him? Was I worthy?
Jesus leaned toward me again, offering the cup. In my heart I knew I belonged with him, whatever that entailed. I reached out and took the cup and drank it. As I lowered the cup my tear filled eyes met his again. At that time I did not know what the future would bring but I knew that the covenant between God and man was about to be sealed. The chasm between God and man would be bridged. God's plan would be fulfilled.