Communion

From Keith,

To the Congregation.

Mark 6:31 “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.

Communion in the Garden

We were on our final journey around Jerusalem. It included a visit to the Via Delarosa and the traditional sites of the the crucifixion and tomb. No one knows for sure where Jesus was buried and I think it is best this way. Given all the elaborate shrines, churches, altars, and pay per view areas in Jerusalem we don’t need to know. At the church of the sepulcher three churches have built competing sites and there is but one key to open the area and the Muslims hold it because of the dispute and distrust between the churches. If we did  know  there would just be a new shrine and they would charge pilgrims to get in. There is A Catholic, Greek Orthodox or Eastern Orthodox church built over just about every site. Keaton calls it “Pope-ing” the site. If I were to choose a place it might be some place far from the crowds. A place called the Garden Tomb.

We went there. It is not the traditional site. The Garden Tomb has not been pope-ed. It may be too far from the center of Jerusalem. Or maybe it just has never gotten the credentialing as the real place of Jesus’ burial. Never the less it is a quiet place, reverential, and it carries some credibility. If you recall Golgotha is referred to as the skull. The rock that is the hill of the Garden Tomb fits the bill. The rock looks like a skull and the tomb bears several of the marks of authenticity.

Our group decides to celebrate communion here. It is quiet, reflective and beautiful.

Our group numbers 48 people. We had purchased olive wood cups for the communion. We sing and celebrate and it is most wonderful. Each one of us serves the next as we come to the Lord’s table in this garden. One of the younger members sings, “When I survey the Wondrous Cross” and then continues with “Oh the Wonderful Cross.” The song echoes off the rocks. As it had been on the boat, we lose ourselves in the setting and the symbols.

But something wonderful happened.  There were others in the garden and some came over to our area and sat and began to worship with us in their own tongue and prayers. When we stood to come to communion they stood to come and share communion with us. I looked at them and the elements that remained and counted the people. I was saddened to think the elements would run out  before  these folks from Tanzania, Finland, and Germany could share in communion.

Now what happened next I am not claiming to be a miracle, I am just claiming in the beauty of it. We never ran out. In fact we had one lonely cup left as the last person tipped their cup and returned to their seat. This was the cup for the one leading communion. There was enough for all. Not one cup short. All were served! The two men from Tanzania disappeared. Not literally, we just didn’t see them after that moment when they got the elements. The women from Finland stood at the back of the group crying, praising God and marveling at having communion in this setting, in this way. We gave them their olive wood cups from which we had drunk. They thanked me and cried all the more.

Miracle? I don’t know. I am hesitant to use that word. What I know is that everything that took place there was completely filled with the nature and character of Christ and for that I believe I witnessed the miraculous.

He is Lord of the empty tomb!