Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread, the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto Him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for Thee to eat the Passover? Matthew 26:17
The Passover was a family event. The Seder meal was eaten among close family members and very close friends. That the disciples were expecting to eat the Passover with the Lord Jesus speaks much about their close-kit relationship. They were eagerly anticipating this very important event, looking forward to spending the special time with Jesus and the other disciples. They had no idea where they were to go, however. So they came to Jesus for directions. The Lord has a special meal for us to eat today, one that we as His family eagerly anticipate. But, like the disciples, we need to make sure we ask Him where we are to eat it.
We are not Jewish, so we don’t eat the Passover. But we have been given a different meal, one that Jesus gave us that we might have a weekly reminder of Himself and His death on the cross. Does it matter to the Lord Jesus where we eat this meal? Is it important to Him?
The disciples could have gone to friends or relatives to eat the Passover, but they wanted to be where Jesus was. The most important consideration was His presence. There are lots of places we can go today to eat the Lord’s Supper. But, like the disciples, our top consideration should be the Lord’s presence. Matthew 18:20 tells us that He is in the midst of those who have been gathered to His name. So it would be wrong to eat the feast in places where people gather to a different name. If each of the disciples had gone to visit a relative or friend for the Passover, they would not have been with Jesus. If we were to go to a place other than where Jesus directs us, we would eat the Lord’s Supper without Him. And what would be the point of that?
In the Old Testament, the Israelite was not to offer sacrifices in every place, but only where God directed. In the New Testament, the principle does not change. The Lord has appointed a place for His people to meet with Him to eat the feast of Remembrance. And that place is where He has gathered us to His Name. -Jim MacIntosh