Overflow Daily...ish: The Lord’s Supper

26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” 

Matthew 26:26-29

In the very early days of the church, there was much confusion around Christianity; much like there is today. Initially, the Roman Empire viewed Christianity as just another sect of Judaism and so Christians experienced a bit of peace and quiet. This was definitely one of the factors that led to the quick widespread of Christianity because it was considered a religio licita, an approved religion, under the Roman Empire. But it was not very long until it was re-classed as a religio illicita, an illegal or unapproved religion. They were viewed initially as an atheistic and in incestuous group. But probably the most provocative statements made against Christians was that they were cannibals.

Fronto presented Christian worship for the Lord’s Supper in the early second century as such,

“An infant…is slain by random and unsuspecting blows. Its blood- oh so shocking!- they greedily lap it up. The limbs they eagerly distribute. By this victim they league themselves; by this complicity in crime they pledge themselves to mutual silence”. (Octavius of Minucius Felix 9)

Even today there is still confusion on the ordinance of Communion. For the Roman Catholics, they misinterpret, and add to Scripture, to form the doctrine known as transubstantion, belief that the bread and wine literally become the body and the blood of Christ. But when Jesus spoke these words, he in no way meant that they were eating his literal flesh and blood. In fact, Jesus spoke these words while physically present to show his disciples how this act was a representation, a symbol, of his body which would soon suffer on the cross.

And, this ordinance is something we continue today “in remembrance of [Him]” (1 Cor 11:24). When we take it, we symbolically renew our commitment to the Christ. It is something that is done with the whole local body as if to draw a line in the sand between those who are born again and those who are not. And as the elements are taken we remind ourselves of what makes us distinctly unique people. It is not because of blood, or will, or man that we are privileged to be citizens of an eternal kingdom. (John 1:13) It is because of the sinlessness of Christ that was broken for us on the cross and who shed his blood for sinners to wash away sins and establish the new covenant. It is because of what Christ has done that we joyfully celebrate with sorrow the perfect, merciful work of Christ. May we never forget the sacrifice and the joy of being partakers of grace.

Grace and Peace,
Pastor Alex

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