Last night’s dinner was a disaster. Our 9-year-old son, Noah, was recently diagnosed with Celiac disease and we’re in the process of removing gluten from our diet. It’s been a bit tricky, especially for me as I try to find tasty meals that don’t have gluten hidden in the ingredients and attempt to recreate our favorite dishes without it.

Noah has been a trooper so I thought I’d have a go and make his meal of choice, broccoli cheese quiche. It was a challenge. It took me an hour to perfect the gluten free piecrust enough for it to hold the other ingredients. Excited about my accomplishment, I popped it in the oven. Everyone was hungry and eager to try it.

Thirty minutes later the timer sounded. I pulled it out of the oven, unaware that our 70lb lab was behind me.

It is a well known story, one told and re-enacted countless times throughout the history of the church.  Jesus is dining with his friends in the shadow of his impending death.  And he is looking for a way to explain what is about to unfold.  

The events of the next three days—the crucifixion, entombment, and resurrection—represent the central focal point of all of human history.  For all of prior history culminates in the empty tomb.  And all subsequent events are eternally changed by it.  It is ultimately a mystery, one which Jesus knows his friends will not begin to understand until much later.

And so, reclined at the table where they are eating, he takes the bread and lifts it for all to see.  He says a prayer of thanks.  He breaks it in portions to share.  And then, he says, "take and eat; this is my body."  [Matt 26:26 TNIV]

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