“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
On 11th December 1915 the house at number 43 Gasthuisstraat in Poperinge, Belgium opened its doors for the first time, welcoming British soldiers to a new club.
It was called Talbot House, in memory of Lieutenant Gilbert Talbot, aged 23, who was the brother of Padre Neville Talbot. Padre Talbot helped establish the club.
It was a meeting place for men going up to the trenches and men coming back.
The loft was converted into a chapel and became known as “the Upper Room”. On the initiative of the soldiers the chapel was furnished with an altar made from a carpenter's bench found in the garden shed. Candlesticks for the altar were made from bedposts. A portable organ known as a 'groan-box' was used for musical accompaniment. Wooden benches were made or acquired from damaged churches. The altar cloth was donated.
From the early days of its creation the chapel in “the Upper Room” offered a peaceful haven for hundreds of soldiers taking a brief respite from the trenches.
It was in the loft of the house they served Communion — truly a last supper for many. A notice was hung by the front door bearing the message:
“All rank abandon, ye who enter here.”
It was a reminder that we are all sinners needing forgiveness by Jesus.
The Lord has given us a powerfully simple way to remember His broken body and shed blood. It is with bread and wine. Today in prayer, thank the Lord for the Lord’s Supper and remember His sacrifice for you.
“The link between the cross and the crown is the Table of the Lord. Do not forget, when you sit down at the Communion, that the bread and the cup point back to Christ’s accomplished work, and forward to your accomplished salvation.” – A.T. Pierson
God’s Word: “While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, ‘Take it; this is my body.’” – Mark 14:22
By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2018, Devotional E-Mail
DEVOTIONS IN LUKE