Time Fulfilled

1 Corinthians 7:29-31;  Mark 1:14-20

Paul writes some provocative statements to the Corinthians.  He is not advocating immoral behavior, he is emphasizing that this world has changed with the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.  Time has been fulfilled, as Jesus states in this passage by Mark, and emphasized by the immediacy of the first disciples to follow Jesus.  Time has changed.

Originally time was determined by the sun.  This is clearly stated in Genesis with the creation of the first day.  The Jewish people of Jesus’ day, and today, determine the day based on the end of the day.  That is when the sun goes down the day ends, thus the next day does start, hence Sabbath starts at sundown on Friday.  For the original followers of The Way (Jesus) who were Jewish, they would go to the Temple, or a synagogue, or perhaps down by the river in a Gentile city, to worship the one true God, listening to the Torah and the prophets.  They would keep the Sabbath as well if they were able, but on Sunday morning they would be truly back to work (it would had been their Monday). These first Jewish followers of Jesus, would get up early on Sunday, before work and without an alarm clock, to celebrate the resurrection with communion, hymns, baptisms, and worship.  They would do this as the sun rose.  It was like an extra day to their week, empowering them for their work and their lives.  There was an idea that the perfect creation will finally go to the eighth day with the resurrection at the end of all time.  However, the early Christians were understanding that time had changed and the fulfilling morning of worship and sharing His meal was the eighth day. 

I love sunrises, and having been a baker and pastry chef I have seen many.  My favorite still was when I was a teen.  I knew there was a snow storm coming the next Sunday morning.  With 3-4 inches already on the ground it would be wonderful to get up early to watch the sun rise with the snow falling.  So up early I got, and trekked up to the top of a cliff at the edge of the woods.  I took a thermos of hot cocoa and was buddled up.  I found a log to took in behind to protect me from the wind and settled in.  Then it occurred to me I would really not see the sun through the snow.  It was still the most amazing sunrise, so quiet, both the woods and the town below, save the wind.  A few times I could make out a perfect white ball through the clouds. It felt like hours I was there, and it was a while since I remember dusting an inch of snow of myself when I departed.  I treasure that sunrise that I never saw.

Everyday the sun rises, even if we do not see it.  And it is equally true that everyday God’s Son Rises, even if we do not see it.  When Jesus tells us time has been fulfilled he wants us to act as if we are starting the eighth day.  Paul makes it quite clear that the new age started and our actions should match that of the kingdom of God. 

However, we do not live in a kingdom, nor is their one person or power that really has the power on us anymore.  Today we live where our cultures have power over us.  Cultures we choose, and cultures that sneak into our subconscious.  The culture of America, the culture of TV, the consumer culture, the culture of Rock music, the culture of drugs, the culture of politics, the culture of one’s family etc.  Some are very powerful.  Some more powerful than we want to admit.  So I believe time has been fulfilled by the culture of God being near.  We need to live as if we live in the culture of God, and not simply wait to live in heaven, for time has been fulfilled. 

The Light to See

Luke 24:13-35

Where is Emmaus?  It is seven miles from Jerusalem according to Luke, but it must not have been an incorporated town, for there is no hard evidence for its position.  Luke is however not concerned with the town but rather that these two have left the scene of the day.  The reality of the past three days had gotten to these two disciples.  They needed out and it seems that the woman’s witness was the last straw, for they can share the story up to that point and they left for Emmaus.  Did they have to be there for a reason?  Perhaps, but it seems more likely that even if there was a reason it was a weak excuse to get away from the reality.  Emmaus for all intention is a place of escape. 

For us it may be a movie, a book, a vacation, it can even be church.  It is the place or mindset to escape the harsh reality of the world.  A harsh reality where we are not able to see the resurrected Jesus.  These two could not see Jesus right in front of them and please note that Jesus does not rebuke them about their journey to Emmaus, rather their understanding of the prophecy.  Jesus does not tell them to go back but it is the obvious reaction when they experience the revelation of Jesus at the table.

The table is the pivotal point of this scripture.  They know the New Testament Gospel in that they experienced it, and even heard of the resurrection from the women.   They couldn't handle it but when they met this “stranger” they shared the story.  Yet they did not come to believe when the Hebrew Prophesies were revealed to them by Jesus, Himself. 

The Lord’s Table set for us each Sunday has us remember Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.  We know the name of this Table as the Lord’s Table (as I referred to it above), which makes sense since it is Jesus our Lord who invites us to this table.  We will also here it called communion table, and it is true we are in communion with God at this table but also with each other. 

The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 1 Cor. 10:16 KJV

I believe this idea of coming together around the table for to remember and find the revelation of Jesus is perfect.  Of course Jesus would leave the perfect rite to remember and know Him.

Think about what the everyday table is to you.  Who do you eat with?  We know the criticism of Jesus was often included stating who He ate with. 

Think about who taught you your table manners.  If you are like me many of your table manners were taught to you by your mother.  My mom taught me what side the silverware goes on, that elbows were not allowed on the table, don’t talk with your mouth full, and many other important rules.  Those rules I named fulfill etiquette, which are very important, but etiquette is simply  cultural rules.  Rules that change over time and geography.  For example the fork as a utensil did not start making it to the table in Europe about a thousand years after the Last Supper. 

Etiquette is important, but ethics is even greater.  I believe there are ethics to table fellowship that really has never changed.  My mom taught me gathering for a meal is not simply to eat, but to enjoy each other’s company and to share with everyone in the experience.  This was emphasized by many things, especially the conversations and the laughter, but also the etiquette that we had to be dismissed. 

Another ethic value was that everyone should have enough or a fair share of what was presented.  The exception would be if there were guests.  Leading me to share the third ethical value of table fellowship and that is hospitality.  That sharing a meal is the greatest sign of hospitality.  What I learned from my mother that it wasn’t only when we planned to have special dinner party, but even when one of my friends stopped by unannounced.  Always the table was open.

Those three values have been the ethics of table fellowship.  It is not just about the food, but about the fellowship, everyone should get what they need, and it also the greatest sign is hospitality. The Lord’s Table is no exception, and it upholds the three key ethics greatly.  The table is not simply about food but is a communal relational experience between people and the Divine.  Grace goes equally to all as they accept it at the table.  Everyone is invited and we need to keep inviting people to His Table.

This is why they see Jesus at the Table.  They demonstrated great hospitality and were in communion with each other and of course God.  Of course, Grace is given equally and they see Jesus.  But only for an instant, for Luke is making it clear that when we see Jesus we must act as those two did.  They were on an escapist path when they went to Emmaus but as soon as they saw Jesus again in the breaking of the bread, they were back, within the hour, to evangelize. 

All off us need a chance to get away from the world, but once we experience Jesus at the table (or wherever) we realize that Jesus is in control and we are to follow Him.