52. The last supper

The foot washing created an atmosphere of closeness among all the participants and prepared us for the Lord’s Supper. We moved back to the sanctuary and as people where coming back to their seats there was time to meditate. Our sight was focused on the communion table nicely set at the front with bread and wine.

My parents were deep in their thoughts, as was I. Jesus knew He was going to die, and the Passover Supper was the last thing He did with His disciples before He was captured and crucified. For the Jews that was the most important meal; it reminded them of God’s deliverance from Egyptian slavery. In Jesus’ time Jews were under Roman occupation and eagerly waited for the Messiah, the deliverer, to free them. During the Last Supper Jesus demonstrated deliverance from our sins, which the True Messiah was going to fulfill. Those gathered in the Upper Room, where the meal was shared, were looking ahead, and us present in the small church in Slavonski Brod were looking back to the Messiah’s sacrifice for our sins.

“18 For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.

19 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.”

 20 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 NIV)

The pastor who conducted the service read the text and reminded all present about the threefold meaning of the Lord’s Supper. It’s a reminder of the most unique sacrifice ever made; a sinless person dying a death of a sinner, His body tortured for each one of us. Jesus took our place to pay the price for our sins. Furthermore the shedding of His holy blood is a base of the covenant He establishes with anyone willing to follow Him. Through this ordinance we remember our commitment that we once made through baptism. The third significant element that Jesus associated with the Lord’s Supper is the assurance of His coming; where we’ll participate not only in His suffering but in His glory too. At that point the bread and wine were served.

I knew how mum was determined to take part in the Lord’s Supper. I felt it had a special meaning to her knowing that she was on the edge between life and death. Like the robber on the cross who understood who Jesus was and asked Him to remember Him in His kingdom, (Luke 23:40-43), my mother by taking part in this holy service made her plea and got the assurance. Her worn-out face reflected contentment that came from within.

53. Returning without a coat

It was the last day of March, a sunny day; according to the calendar and ways of nature we felt spring was in its full swing in Croatia. I packed my things and was ready to return to my family in Stuttgart. But at the same time I wasn’t ready to leave mum and dad. Many sad thoughts and emotions flooded my mind and soul.

My father escorted me to the bus station. For the first time I saw him crying as we were saying our farewells. He was crying because of the unknown and unavoidable future ahead of us. I assured him my family would visit them in three weeks during Easter break, and if the need be even sooner. The bus arrived, I took my seat and watched my father through the window wiping off his tears as the bus pulled out from the station. I was crying too.

It took me a long time to calm down. The bus was well on the way when I realized that I left on the journey without my coat. The day was sunny, but the nights were still cold, especially when traveling through Slovenia and the Austrian Alps. I knew the passengers were required to leave the bus during the 20-minute break that night. I realized I would be freezing. This was one of those days when I couldn’t think clearly. As if I could focus only on what was happening in the given moment afraid of thinking about future.

The way I felt that night, l could identify with Jesus’ disciples being caught in a storm.

“35 That day when evening came, he (Jesus) said to his disciples, "Let us go over to the other side." 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him.

37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped.

38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?"

39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. 40 He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?"” (Mark 4 NIV)

Jesus has the power to calm any storm that we face in our lives or protect us in a storm if we have to live through it. The storm in my life was had taken its turn and I just didn’t know how long it was going to last. I believe in a living God who is navigating the boat of our life, interested in everything that we have to face. Sometimes we panic in face of danger, confusion or unexpected things that happen to all of us. We forget to call on Jesus the One who has everything under control and can bring everything under control in our lives too.

Branislav got my SMS message and waited for me at the Stuttgart bus station with a warm jacket on the early, cool spring morning. As I came out of the bus he immediately covered me to keep me warm, with the jacket, his love and understanding that was much appreciated.