(1Cor.11:24-26)
When last did you and I go to a celebration, like a wedding, a birthday party or some other special occasion and truly enjoy ourselves together with the hosts? Normally what happens at those types of occasions is the eating, drinking and partying take centre stage and we forget about the real reason for the celebration.
Hopefully not so when Jesus invites us to a celebration with Him. We can celebrate with Him anytime, anyplace and with those we love. The reason for the celebration? To acknowledge the wonderful gift, He has given to us through Jesus. This celebration takes the form of an intimate meal amongst those who love the Lord – using ‘Bread’ and ‘Wine’.
We shouldn’t really concern ourselves about what type of elements we use to celebrate this meal with – the importance here is what the elements represent. In 1Cor. Paul tells us that Jesus said we should “DO this…in memory of Me”. It’s interesting the scripture doesn’t say ‘think’ to remember what happened, but ‘DO’ to remember. The action of drinking a drink and breaking bread is what we ’DO’ to remember – in other words, remembering the washing away of our sin and a body broken for the death of our sinful nature.
The celebration meal is made up of two parts:
Firstly, when we take the bread (or cookie or whatever we have available) and break it – we remember that Jesus’s body was broken as He took away the sinful natures of mankind, inherited from Adam all those years ago – this includes you and I. Rom.6 tells us that our sinful nature (or the engine which drives us to sin), was taken by Jesus on the cross, baptised into His death and buried – FOREVER – never to rise again! (Rom.6:6). God did this for us so that we might walk in the newness of life and have power to overcome sin – what glorious freedom – wouldn’t you agree?
Surely this is something worth celebrating – power to overcome the desires in our lives which do not please God – simply by remembering that our sinful natures have gone – forever!
Secondly, when we partake of the drink (that is, whatever we have available at the time), we acknowledge and remember that Jesus’ blood was spilled to wash away ALL our sin – past, present and future (provided of course, that we are genuinely sorry). Psalms tells us He has removed our sin as far as the east is from the west (Ps.103:12).
Again, isn’t this something worth celebrating – to know that God has forgiven ALL our sin. HE paid the price for us and we will never have to account to Him for the things which we didn’t get right in our past – hallelujah!
However, I’m sure you’d agree with me – there would be little use in going to a celebration occasion if we have some sort of anger or resentment in our hearts. How would we be able to enjoy and focus on the celebration if past or current negative situations are consuming our thoughts? The negative thoughts attract our attention and constantly demand our focus. We need to get rid of these thoughts by the facing them head on and dealing with them. Once dealt with – they are ‘put to bed’ so to speak and they can’t be used to consume our thoughts again. We should ask God to open opportunities for us to address these issues with those concerned (Matt.18:15) – then we can freely enjoy the celebration meal with our host – Jesus (1Cor.11:29-30).
Once we understand the significance of this very special celebration, it has a very personal meaning to each of us. Therefore, those who don’t understand why Jesus’ death and burial took place, cannot really benefit or appreciate the true joy of celebrating together. As we understand what the Lord did for us at Calvary, lets quietly honour and thank Him by celebrating this little meal together….
Father in Heaven, we thank you so much for Jesus, who came to this earth that we might once again have everything restored to us, which was lost in the garden of Eden. As we take this bread, and break it, we remember how Jesus’ body was broken on the cross in order that our old sinful natures were removed from us – once and for all time.
As we partake of this drink, we remember too, how Jesus’ blood was spilled as a sacrifice to set us free from all our sin – thank you Father that we can now live our lives free from the burden of having to account for the times we missed the mark with you.
Thank you Father for giving us your son that we might not only be restored back to you, but be able to walk daily in true victory. We honour and glorify you in Jesus name.
When next we celebrate this meal, let’s remember: Jesus didn’t only die to take away our sins but also, to take away our sinful nature.
Thanks for joining me in discussing this little meal. May our hearts ever be grateful to our Father for this most wonderful gift of life. Be blessed – until we spend more time with the Master again soon.
From: “…time with the Master…”