This Ain’t Cupcakes and Kool-Aid

As a chunky girl, I can easily turn my focus to food, I can associate most everything back to a food product. I identify colors by food products (my current haircolor is cotton candy). And without a doubt, if an invitation focuses around food or wine, count me in!!!

The heart of the Easter story is widely associated with the Cross or the empty tomb. This year, I urge you to look towards the meal; the last meal. It is at the time of the Passover feast, and the disciples are planning to celebrate it with their rabbi. They had no clue what was playing out in the shadows of the preparation. The betrayal, the confusion, the denial, the approaching death of their beloved teacher. Even in the chaos, Jesus was making things ready for those He loved. He wanted to be sure they would understand the events in the most simple way possible.

The room is set and the the Feast of Unleavened Bread is awaiting them. Jesus knew the details and inner workings of His Father’s heart. He knew that this would be the last meal He shared with his chosen brothers. As they gather, He drops the bomb… one of you will betray me, one of you, here with me. Naturally, all the bros said “not me”. Jesus already knew what was to come. Duh, He knows the prophesies and promises of the Old Testament, not to mention He shares His Father’s heart.

While my focus is on the meal, it isn’t about the food set before them. I won’t get into deep theology about the sacraments ( thousands of scholars have debated it for thousands of years) My focus is on the heart of the meal. The Teacher, the Leader, The One who loved them deeply had one last opportunity to teach his brothers about God’s Heart.

“While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take it; this is my body.” (Matthew 14:22; NIV) 

Wait, whaaaa…where does it say anything about God’s Heart!? First, God made sure there was a a place waiting and prepared for them to have their meal. And then, of course the meal (sayeth the chunky girl!) The Heart is demonstrated in the order in which the gift is given. The Gift, the sacrifice of Jesus is represented in the meal, and He has an intentional order of things.

Jesus teaches in parables and metaphors. They are amazing word pictures that are easily identified by most everyone, even the Duh-ciples.

1. He takes the bread – body, and presents it as an offering/sacrifice.
2. Jesus then gives thanks. He knows He is about to be killed, and yet, He gives thanks to God. He is thankful? He knows His Father’s Heart, He shares the same heart, the same love. He IS thankful.
3. This is where I get goosebumps, for oh so long, I totally missed this part… He broke it. Did you miss it too? His ‘body’ is intentionally broken for a purpose. It is broken in order for others to find hope. It is broken like the Heart of the Father. Woah, dude. Deep.
4. And then, then..He gave it away! Boom! His brokenness, His Love, His everything. Gave it away. It doesn’t say anything in this passage about Jesus eating anything himself, which speaks even greater about His offering.

I think this single Scripture speaks volumes about our hearts, about our sufferings and how badly we have it jacked up and out of order. (And when I say we, I include ME!) When we are broken, when we are beaten and left empty, we wonder ‘why me’ and ‘why God, where were you!?’ We get angry at God or blame Him and can only be consumed with our own suffering. We find no purpose or hope in our despair. We just, uh…got nothing.

This is where the thump! happens…ready…

1. Take the emptiness, take the hurt, the pain. Just take it.
2. Be thankful! Get the focus off your misery and look for the greatness surrounding you! The people seated at your table. The love of those in your tribe. And look for the bounty in your brokenness. Thankful.
3. Broken, yes, broken, not destroyed. Take the broken pieces, identify them, give them a name. My heartache, my abuse, my childhood. Mine, broken.
4. And give it away! Don’t heap your brokenness on other people. Don’t make other people miserable in your misery. But take the brokenness, in gratitude, give it to your bros and sistahs! Lead, teach, share your heart. There is purpose in the broken pieces. It creates a masterpiece in a mosaic for others to appreciate and discover there is beauty in the brokenness.

As you gather at your Easter meal, whether it’s a big gathering or you’re alone, celebrate the brokenness. Be thankful for the journey, lean in and listen to the whispers of God’s own heart. And eat heartily and I hope there is cupcakes!!