This Is For You...
One thing that unites pretty every branch, denomination and flavour of Christianity is The Lord's Supper. It has a number of names in different traditions; Holy Communion, Communion, Holy Eucharist, The Lord's Supper to name but a few. It's held in high reverence and respect by even the most nonconformist of traditions.
The tradition from which I come (evangelical/pentacostal) calls it simply Communion, but is referred to as Gathering Around the Table and (rather confusingly at times) Going Into the Table! What is clear, though, is that there is a lot of respect shown to the table itself and the cup and the plate. Some might say that too much respect is shown to the table, the cup and the plate.
I've heard numerous testimonies from people who say that they have experienced a royal skull cracking because they were sitting on the table! No, not during Communion, but maybe during a youth meeting or after a service. Sitting on the table was a sign of disrespect.
But Jesus said "This is my body which is given for you". He didn't die for the table, He died for people. Sure, don't be stupid, but it's not right that we can run around with our arms in the air shouting "The table! The table! The cup! Ooooooh! The pretty silver plate!" and then abuse a brother or sister.
It's like another part of the Bible where the religious leaders are giving Jesus a hard time because His disciples were picking bits of corn to nibble on as they walked through a field, on the sabbath! Jesus was clear and He said "Look boys! Sure, God gave you the Sabbath, but the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath" (or words to that effect :-)
Jesus told Peter that Satan is mindful of the things of man and not the things of God, but don't think that God has no thought for you. Jesus came for you, not things like pretty church buildings, pretty cups or a heavy wooden table. Jesus didn't even come to establish the crucifix as an international brand, He came to save you. He is more interested in you than he is in objects and things.
When you get this, you'll realise how beautiful, important and intimate celebrationg Communion actually is, taking part by eating the bread and drinking the wine will fill you with a sense of belonging and you'll know that you have a part in the enormous plan of salvation which was achieved by someone dying for you.
The bread symbolises the body of Jesus which was given in its entirety, willingly and in love by Jesus. The wine symbolises His blood. Together, they symbolise how the wrongdoing of the entire world, every single human being, has been dealt with, washed away, for whoever believes. Because Jesus took the blame for your sin, you can be perfectly innocent before God.
The tradition from which I come (evangelical/pentacostal) calls it simply Communion, but is referred to as Gathering Around the Table and (rather confusingly at times) Going Into the Table! What is clear, though, is that there is a lot of respect shown to the table itself and the cup and the plate. Some might say that too much respect is shown to the table, the cup and the plate.
I've heard numerous testimonies from people who say that they have experienced a royal skull cracking because they were sitting on the table! No, not during Communion, but maybe during a youth meeting or after a service. Sitting on the table was a sign of disrespect.
But Jesus said "This is my body which is given for you". He didn't die for the table, He died for people. Sure, don't be stupid, but it's not right that we can run around with our arms in the air shouting "The table! The table! The cup! Ooooooh! The pretty silver plate!" and then abuse a brother or sister.
It's like another part of the Bible where the religious leaders are giving Jesus a hard time because His disciples were picking bits of corn to nibble on as they walked through a field, on the sabbath! Jesus was clear and He said "Look boys! Sure, God gave you the Sabbath, but the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath" (or words to that effect :-)
Jesus told Peter that Satan is mindful of the things of man and not the things of God, but don't think that God has no thought for you. Jesus came for you, not things like pretty church buildings, pretty cups or a heavy wooden table. Jesus didn't even come to establish the crucifix as an international brand, He came to save you. He is more interested in you than he is in objects and things.
When you get this, you'll realise how beautiful, important and intimate celebrationg Communion actually is, taking part by eating the bread and drinking the wine will fill you with a sense of belonging and you'll know that you have a part in the enormous plan of salvation which was achieved by someone dying for you.
The bread symbolises the body of Jesus which was given in its entirety, willingly and in love by Jesus. The wine symbolises His blood. Together, they symbolise how the wrongdoing of the entire world, every single human being, has been dealt with, washed away, for whoever believes. Because Jesus took the blame for your sin, you can be perfectly innocent before God.
posted by R'Copeh at
00:55
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