May 30, 2024
Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.
1st Corinthians 11:27-29
Other than believers being the body of Christ, we find another representation of Christ’s body in the story of the last supper. During this meal, Jesus Christ instituted the Holy Communion. He did so by giving His disciples bread and wine, revealing to them that they represented His Body and Blood. He commanded that this ordinance be done in His remembrance. “And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me. Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.” Luke 22:19-20.
This ceremony is one of the great mysteries of Christianity. The event itself is symbolic because it foreshadowed the crucifixion of Jesus where His Body was indeed given up and His Blood shed for the world.
This sacrifice of Jesus, giving up His Body and Blood, should be of utmost importance to the believer. It is a critical part of the bedrock of our salvation; acknowledging that Jesus is Lord, the Son of God, that He came in human form, died for our sins and we believe by faith He is alive (Philippians 2:8-11, Romans 10:9, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, John 3:16).
His instruction to have us partake in this ritual therefore is a memorial in honor of this great sacrifice.
Now with the understanding of the significance of the sacrifice of His Body and Blood should come a reverential fear to every person taking part in the communion. Why? The breaking of bread symbolized how His Body was (to be) badly treated...beaten, bruised and tortured. And the drinking of wine symbolized His Blood that flowed, dripped and emptied during His crucifixion for humanity’s sake. This should not be taken lightly.
His instruction to have us partake in this ritual therefore is a memorial in honor of this great sacrifice. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 11:26 says, “For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes”.
And again, in John 6:53-56, it says: “Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him”
When we do this, we renew life within us, we affirm the promise of eternal life and we have fellowship with Christ.
Song of Worship
This is my body, broken for you, and as you eat it, remember me (2x)
Prayer - Dear Lord, thank you for the ordinance of the Holy Communion; what it represents, Your Body and Your Blood. Thank you for the power therein, the renewal of life it brings, the promise of eternal life and fellowship with you In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Bible in 1 year: 2 Chronicles 10-12; John 11