The Hand on the Table

"And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you. But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table. And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed! And they began to enquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing." Luke 22:19-23 KJV

In communion the hands and the mind are occupied with Christ and what He has done. The hand that remains unoccupied in that way is the dangerous hand. The hand that remains on the table is a hand that betrays. It is a hand present for fellowship but devoid of communion. It is a hand on the table.

The disciples worried themselves trying to figure out the dilemma. Whose hand was it? Why would someone do such a thing? But, Christ just continued on His way to the cross.

If the flesh remains exposed to body life but the person remains unconverted by Christ betrayal is inevitable. Christianity will seem vain and ineffective. Christ will seem distant. The work will become something to be attacked and have bitterness attached to it's memories. The cost of betrayal will end up thrown back into the temple in moral frustration and the end will not be pretty.

This scenario can be someone's whole life or season of their life. A 'hand on the table' season is a bitter season with few or no snapshots in the scrapbook of faith.

Searching for tares is frustrating and futile. So is being passive when we should be active in believing.

Handling the bread and the wine is where the life is. It is a life of nourishment and comfort. Christ is present and close and redemption is happening and possible. We never eat communion alone. It is done in a group for a reason. In that place the cross has made us all equal and we have everything that is truly important in common.

Memory filled communion causes us to reflect on an event we did not see ourselves. The cross. Christ had His face set like a flint to go there. Nothing natural or supernatural could stop Him. Let nothing stop us from going and taking the cup of salvation and drinking from it. That is the place where we are once again saved from self and every other danger.