Communion meditationJesus knew He would be abandoned
The Lord’s Supper not only unites us to the Lord as we remember His death until He comes, but because we share in this symbolic meal, it also unites us to each other. As Paul said, “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 Cor. 10:16-17) In Acts 20:7, the passage we often use as the pattern for weekly communion, says, “On the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread…” In this verse, not only is the first day of the week and the breaking of bread an important pattern, but also the coming together. “On the first day of the week, the disciples CAME TOGETHER to break bread.” The disciples were scattered throughout the region around Troas, and the Lord’s Supper brought them together. With an attitude of humility, with a willingness to serve, with a willingness to follow the Lord’s path toward his destination, let us “come together” and share in the bread. What Jesus Predicted Came True No, if we are honest with ourselves, we have to admit that we are just as weak as they were. When the pressure is on and the stakes are high, when we are called upon to take a stand for Jesus, how often do we turn and flee? Instead of standing together, united with Him and with each other, how often do we abandon Him and in our shame, avoid each other? The cup we are about to share symbolizes the blood of Christ, God’s provision for the forgiveness that straying sheep like us need. Paul said, “Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ?” (1 Cor. 10:16). Once more, in becoming one with Christ’s death, we all converge on Christ Himself, and in doing so, we also draw closer to one another. |
Steve Singleton DeeperStudy.com |