Spring is when many of our churches have their Lovefeast celebration. Some have it on the Thursday before Easter, my church always does the first Saturday of May. Lovefeast is a Brethren practice, and it has deep meaning for me. The Lovefeast meal reflects on the past, evaluates the present, and anticipates the future.
Looking back, the Lovefeast is in remembrance of the Last Supper, Jesus last Passover Celebration. The Passover meal was first celebrated by the Israelites on their last night in Egypt. The Meal was a sacrifice of a lamb. The entire lamb had to be eaten, and blood was put on both sides of the jamb and the header of the door. This cross symbol was a sign for the Angel of Death to Passover that household. God, being our deliverer, was to be remembered every year at the Passover meal. The lamb, blood, symbol of a cross, and deliverance from Death all pointed to the ultimate Lamb of God, Jesus Christ.
We look back and celebrate the Lovefeast to remember Jesus last Passover, his last meal on Earth. There was so much taught at this meal: feet washing, Passover, fellowship, and the first communion.
It is amazing to remember how Jesus, knowing he was about to suffer and die on the cross, was still serving and teaching. What a savior. Jesus chose to be that lamb of God for us.
We look to the present because Paul warned us to examine our lives before we participate in a Communion service.
1Cor 11:28-29 NIV Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ, they eat and drink judgment on themselves.
We need to prepare ourselves and make sure we are in the right relationship with God and our fellow believers before we eat and drink.
And finally, we look to the future.
“And he said to them, I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God” Luke 22:15-16 (NIV).
Jesus is looking forward to being with us in his Kingdom. We should look forward to this also, and Lovefeast is a time to focus on that future.
We have crossed over from Death to Life when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior. But when he comes again to bring his Kingdom to Earth, then we will cross over from the perishable to the imperishable. Death will be defeated, and there will be no more curse of sin. Some call it paradise; some call it Heaven. I am looking forward to the Wedding Supper of the Lamb, to being with Jesus in his Kingdom.
I pray your next Lovefeast is a meaningful celebration.
Jim Nolt – CBC Ex. Board
