Matthew 26:27-28 (ESV)
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.
It’s pretty hard to be mad at people you’re eating with.
There’s something about breaking bread with people that promotes intimacy,
understanding, bonding, and camaraderie.
It’s no surprise that the Savior chose the warmth of the
supper table for one of his most important parting gifts to his disciples and
to all believers. Taking two ordinary foodstuffs found all over the world,
Jesus linked the ordinary with the extraordinary, earth with heaven, and
created a Sacrament. Simple bread and wine, eaten and swallowed by believers,
would become the vehicles for the very body and blood that were offered on the
cross in payment for the sin of the world: “He took a cup, and when he had
given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you. This is
my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of
sins’” (Matthew 26:27,28).
Baptism is intended as a one-time act, our formal adoption
into God’s family. Communion is intended as a repeated activity, assuring
sinners that the forgiveness of their sins is still valid. When people hear the
Word of God spoken, they can always (mistakenly) assume that it is meant for
others. When the body and blood are placed in their mouths, there can be no
mistake about who is loved and whose sins are forgiven.
Dear Lord, thank you for being close to us and giving us
this special gift of yourself. Thank You for letting us share in the special
act of communion as we remember what You did for each of us. In the Name of Jesus,
Amen.
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