Thoughts on the Last Supper

Da Vinci's Last Supper was painted on the wall of the refectory (cafeteria) of the Holy Mary of Grace church in Milan, Italy.  Everyday when the monks gathered, they saw this painting and were reminded of the real Last Supper.  

There are so many wonderful things to meditate on in Communion services, but this wonderful piece of art showcases the moment where Christ told His disciples that one of them would betray Him.  Of all the truths to choose to think upon during Communion, this is the one Da Vinci's genius chose to depict.   

There was a traitor at the Last Supper, even with King of Glory Himself being present. 

I want close communion with God, to enjoy the freedom of relationship with Him that He purchased for me, and I'm glad to be reminded of that and feed on that joy when I celebrate Communion services. 

But Da Vinci has taught me that it's also good to remember that Christ chooses to dine with even the evil, traitorous ones that are in His life (don't we all have them?).  I should go and do likewise with others, AND be willing to let God love on me in all the places where my heart still wants to rebel against Him. 

Furthermore, let it be a backstop to my heart to know the judgment of God: that even though I sit and dine with Him today and receive His mercy, I must continue to choose His mercy and forgiveness and not my own self-righteousness as the way to salvation.  

Intercession

Some fast food for thought on prayer:

Abraham for Sodom and Gomorrah

"But when God destroyed the cities of the plain, he remembered Abraham and sent Lot out, away from the destruction, when he overthrew the cities Lot lived in.  -Genesis 20:29

Abraham meets the Three Angels before they destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah

The only reason that righteous Lot lived through the judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah was because Abraham had prayed for God to spare the righteous in the city before God went to visit it.  Stunningly, not everyone in Lot's family made it out though (his two sons-in-law and his wife perished).  It does make me think that those who are righteous living in an unrighteous place can be overthrown with the wicked-unless we pray.  On a side note, vv. 27-28 tell us that Abraham saw the destruction of these cities but had no idea at the time whether or not his prayers for Lot's safety had been answered.  

Abraham Praying for Abimelech and His Unintentional Sin

"He is a prophet, and he will pray for you, so that you will live." -Genesis 20:7

Though King Abimelech had sinned unintentionally, God still pronounced him as good as dead (see Genesis 20:3.)  Nevertheless, God said that He would have Abraham pray for the king, and because of this action, God would spare his life.

I really felt God was speaking to me when I read this verse.  I came to it quite accidentally after really struggling with offense toward a friend of mine that was intentionally running away from God's commands.  It left me believing that regardless of how I felt, I must love as He loves, and that is to love even those that are the enemies of God.  As a result of that, I'm pushed to pray.  Even IF I feel His righteous hand of judgment approaching this person's life, my prayers can hold it off and give them time to repent.  Crazy as it might sound, I actually believe this is happening.

Isaac Praying for His Wife

"Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife, because she was childless.  The LORD heeded his prayer, and Rebekah became pregnant." -Genesis 25:21

Genesis 25:20, 26 inform us that it took Isaac 20 years before he realized he needed to pray for his wife to be fruitful.  Whoa!  I'm just praying that God would make me fully aware of how to pray for my wife so that I wouldn't spend 20 years holding back blessings that I could be praying into her life.