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1. Find a rhythm 

  • weekly, or
  • first week of the month 

2. Remember the sacrifice 

And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” (Luke 22:19)

The food doesn’t need to be unleavened bread. It doesn’t even need to be bread. That’s not the point. 

Jesus EMBODIED the potential of humans. Adam—the first man—was weak and chose self-interest—like we all do. Jesus is the only One who chose to align completely with God. And Jesus chose to sacrifice for all of us.

When he broke the bread it was symbol that his body would be broken for us. We think of his body being broken on a cross, but the scriptures suggest that bones weren’t actually broken. Skin was shredded, pierced, and he was brutalized, but the breaking is as much spiritual as physical. 

Have you ever heard someone one say, “I’m just a broken person”? They mean they are messed up, imperfect, and prone to fail. 

So, Jesus gave His perfection as a sacrifice for our brokenness. It doesn’t make us perfect—we’re still broken—but we’re forgiven. And Jesus says, REMEMBER that!

In the same way, after the supper He took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.” (Luke 22:20)

The Old Covenant involved lots of sacrificing and rules and rituals… and it wasn’t about not being broken. It was about admitting that we ARE broken. It was about admitting that we can’t completely get rid of all the yeast. We need help. We can’t save ourselves. We need a Savior. 

On our own,
Our cups get empty… lacking… we thirst and struggle to find satisfaction. 

When the famous song-writer in the bible says, “My cup overflows,” it’s not because of him or something he did. It’s because he was receiving from God.

When Jesus prayed to His Heavenly Father, “Take this cup from … is there another way…” He knew how painful it would be. But He poured himself out.

That’s the idea. We can overflow into the lives of others because Jesus poured—and pours—himself out. Still. Today. 

If you’re feeling thirsty, empty, lacking… you’re not receiving. He’s still pouring… we position ourselves to receive. Maybe First Dinners can help remind us to do that. 

Remember His sacrifice. 

And keep receiving from the Source of life.