April 2, 2015 - Maundy Thursday

Bread and Wine
 

Read: John 6:35-58, Hebrews 10:1-25

Bread of the world, in mercy broken

Wine of the soul, in mercy shed,

By whom the words of life were spoken,

And in whose death our sins are dead

- Bread of the World by Reginald Heber (UM Hymnal #624)

Communion. The Eucharist. The Mass. The Last Supper. The Passover.

What is it that happens when we participate in Communion? Are we commemorating the Last Supper? Are we looking forward to that Heavenly Feast? Are we celebrating a special closeness with the Lord Jesus?

Yes, we are.

The elements, the bread and wine, are taken from the Passover meal celebrated by Jesus with His disciples before His Crucifixion. They are a part of the tradition of the Jews from the days of the Exodus down to our own day, and they truly foreshadowed the sacrifice Christ was to make for us. So when we take Communion, we take part in that long line of history; but that's not the whole story!

"This is My Body" "This is My Blood" The ceremony, as completed by Jesus, not only took in the Passover, but the whole sacrificial system under which His people had been living since the days of Moses. Think what a devout Jew would have seen at the Temple: the sacrifice was literally a bloody affair. The blood of the sacrifice was sprinkled on the altar, and covered the sins of the people.

But what happens in Communion? The blood of Jesus doesn't merely cover our sins, leaving us needing another dose later. The blood of Jesus cleanses us from our sins; and the word in the Bible is in a tense that lets us know that it not only has cleansed us, but it keeps on cleansing us of all unrighteousness.

What is it that happens when we participate in Communion? We celebrate the amazing Love of God for us; a Love expressed in the life, death, and resurrection of His Son, our Lord – Jesus Christ. Feed on Him, and know that in Him you are forgiven.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I come to You confidently in prayer, knowing I stand cleansed by the blood of Your Son, Jesus. In His name I ask that the Holy Spirit who indwells me will make me ever more aware of the fellowship I share, both with You and with other believers. Thank you for the sacrament, and for allowing me to share in it.

Amen.

Thought for the Day:

Too soon we rise; the symbols disappear;
the feast, though not the love, is past and gone.

The bread and wine remove; but thou art here,
nearer than ever, still my shield and sun. 

  Charlie Van Becelaere