I was thinking about communion this morning... I never really understood it. I mean, you go up at church, eat a cracker, drink some juice, think about the cross and try to feel really reverent while you go back to your seat.... I just never really understood the real point. I know it has something to do with repentance, but why not just repent? Why drink some juice and eat a cracker?
So I asked the Holy Spirit, "what's the deal? How is communion more than a religious exercise?" And I looked up the verses on the Lord's supper in all the gospels (well, Matt., Mark and Luke). One phrase jumped out at me...
Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves; for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” Lk. 22:17-18
Wine is a symbol of celebration. (How you feel or don't feel about alcohol isn't the point here, it's like a synonym for joy and pleasure:) What Jesus is saying here is, "I am in mourning until I come back. I am not going to be up in heaven partying and enjoying life while you stick it out on this sick, rotten earth. I will be missing you and waiting and being sorrowful and praying for you and yearning for the day I can return and be with you again." (my own version there...)
Jesus doesn't ask us to take up our crosses in this life, denying our own desires and giving up everything for Him, while He is up in heaven enjoying perfect conditions and a glorified body... He could, He's God! But He said, "I will not drink this again." I will not celebrate without you. I will not have joy and celebration and feasting. I will be longing for the day when we are together again!
So, I still have a lot to learn about communion. But one thing I will think about next time I have that little cracker and juice is that the Lord is, in a way, fasting until we are together again. Denying Himself, until He can be with us forever. Wow.
You are His beloved ones.
LM
Wow is right. What a great way to see it. I think it's amazing how different facets are in even just one simple act of the Lord's. I've always liked when Jesus said, "I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until..." To me it's a promise of His return. It's as though communion isn't just a reverent remembrance, but a joyful looking forward.
ReplyDeleteTo see it as Jesus is denying himself even now while he's apart from us is humbling. Thanks so much for sharing! I love being His beloved :)