Recently I
had the blessing of being a part of the celebration of the Lord’s Supper. Your
Christian tradition may refer to this as the Holy Eucharist or Communion. We
Baptists generally stick to Communion and Lord’s Supper. It represents a time
of reflection that combines thoughts of one’s personal relationship with God
with perspectives on the Universal Church. It also transcends time and
geography to where a participant becomes aware of the saints of all the centuries
and all nations. When you get the image of the unlimited table we call the Table
of Christ, you feel both small and yet important.
The words of
Christ as recorded in Luke 22 came back to me as I sat there in the midst of
the gathered congregation. The small cubes of bread came by in their plate.
“This is my body which is given for you.” The plastic cups filled with grape
juice were passed down our row in its tray. “This is my blood which is poured
out for you.”
The body of
Jesus was given, broken, pierced with nails and spear for me. His blood was
shed, spilled, poured out for me. The Innocent died for the guilty. The Sinless
died for the sinner. The Faithful Son died for the rebel.
The Church
in the New Testament is pictured in several images: building, priesthood,
family, bride, and body among others. As believers within the body of Christ we
are all unique members. (I Corinthians 12:27) We have roles to play and we have
a responsibility to fulfill. As the body of Christ we continue the work of
Christ. We carry on that work with integrity and faithfulness to the One whose
name we bear. With that responsibility also comes the call to suffer.
Christ
offered his life, his body and blood, to provide a way for reconciliation
between Creator and creature. That was his purpose in coming. That was the
fulfillment of his life’s work. That sacrifice also gave birth to the Church,
his body that was to carry on his work until he returned to bring human history
to its divinely ordained conclusion.
The
incomprehensible event that occurred at Pentecost (Acts 2) set in motion the
life of the Church. It also provided the presence of the Holy Spirit who would
allow the Church to be obedient to its Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20). The
divine command that became the responsibility of the Church was also a personal
command given to every believer.
His body was
broken for me. How far will I go in allowing my body to be broken for him? His
blood was poured out for me? Am I willing to pour out my blood for him? Taking
the bread and cup during a Communion celebration is one thing. It is something
else for me to consider my own body and blood being sacrificed through a
faithful life in the name of Christ.
My death
will not guarantee anyone salvation. My life might, however, open the way for
someone else to reach that point of decision. The feet of Christ went into the
homes and cities of the social outcasts. The hands of Christ lifted the weak
out of the dust. The voice of Christ proclaimed hope and the way of
reconciliation. The Church, the body of Christ, through the centuries and into
today must do the same.
Christ gave
his body in service to the world. I must live with the same generosity. Christ
gave his life in service to the world. I must live with the same selflessness.
When I join in the celebration of the Lord’s Supper, I am identifying with the
body of Christ. That makes me responsible to live, and if necessary die, just
like the Head of the Body, Jesus.
