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  • Writer's pictureCongregational Federation

Day Twenty Two - And he gave thanks


Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” Matt 26: 27-28


On this Christ the King Sunday I want to focus on how Jesus, even in the midst of impending trauma, somehow managed to ‘give thanks’. This short phrase, or variations on it depending on which translation or which synoptic Gospel you read, is also repeated by Paul in his letter to the Corinthians on the instigation of the Memorial Meal, so must be important.


Whether the offering of thanks is before the cup or before the bread or both, it seems that Jesus was saying Grace at some point. For Jews, such as he, the practice of holding a Passover meal was in reality a meal thanking God for the Jewish Exodus from bondage in Egypt. Much like our own national services of remembrance or the US tradition of thanksgiving, we are like the Jews recalling with a grateful heart something of great significance.


Thankfulness is a recurring theme throughout the Bible and we often use Psalms of thanksgiving in our call to worship as a means of entering God’s presence. In the New Testament we also read of the importance Jesus placed upon being thankful when he remarked that only one of ten lepers returned to thank him for their healing. It is good manners to show appreciation and something children are encouraged to learn as part of growing up to ensure we do not take any gift for granted.


So, when we celebrate the Lord’s Supper collectively we remember with grateful hearts what Jesus has done for us before God.


I very much like the responsive phraseology which the Anglican Tradition uses ahead of Holy Communion


Let us give thanks to the Lord our God

It is right and proper to give thanks and praise.

It is indeed right,

It is our duty and our joy

At all times and in all places

To give you thanks and praise

Holy Father, heavenly King,

Almighty and eternal God

Through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord.


Whatever trials we may be facing when we come to the Lord’s Table they cannot surely ever compare with the anguish Jesus was feeling as he ‘gave thanks’ and asked them to drink the cup saying as he did “This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.’ (Mark 14:24) Oh that we, when facing challenges, could get a glimpse of the bigger picture and be thankful that God has called us to work with him.


In sharing the bread, symbolizing his broken body, was Jesus also signalling the beginning of the earthly Koinonia of his body, the Church’s fellowship of suffering with Christ the Head?


Paul’s letter to the church in Colossae emphasizes the importance of complete fellowship with Christ of those who would be his disciples:


“Since you have accepted Christ Jesus as Lord, live in union with him. Keep your roots deep in him, build your lives in him and become stronger in your faith, as you were taught. And be filled with thanksgiving.” Col: 2:6 (GNB)


Elisabeth Sweeney

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