The Lord's Supper

"Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf." 1 Corinthians 10:16-17

As we approach Good Friday it does us good to think of the ordinance of the Lord's Supper. For it, along with baptism, symbolizes the Christian faith and the community of the Church. In both we share in the death and resurrection of Christ. Both serve as symbols of what God has done for us through Christ, as well as publicly displaying that we are part of the new people of God in Christ.

It is, I feel, unfortunate that churches have become so large and modern and commercial that we no longer actually use a common loaf of bread. The whole purpose of sharing the one loaf and one cup was originally to symbolize that we are all part of one body by sharing the body and blood of the one man, Jesus. It is meant to be both an act of remembering that Jesus gave his body and blood for us, and an act to remind us that we are all part of the same body. It is meant to promote the idea and spirit of community among believers. I think that is lost when each has his own little individual wafer and little individual cup of juice. It allows people to remain little individual parts unto themselves, rather that enforcing the idea of "participating" in the one body.

As we approach this Holy weekend. let us remember that we are part of a special body created by a special person for a special reason. Let us remember that it is not about what we get individually, but what we have been made a part of. Through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we have been adopted into the family of God. Now we are no longer little, insignificant individuals, but precious parts of a great whole. We are the family of God. Let's celebrate this occasion together as a family actually sharing a meal together.

May the peace of God be with you.

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