11/09/2018
Jesus, is our sole path to eternity, and the bearer of God’s holiness, who, in dwelling in us brings that holiness to us. Are we ready to accept Him into ourselves? Are we prepared to allow Him to abide in us, and to take His body, and His blood as our sustenance? Many have not been, and have walked away; thus the question becomes this... “Who are we?”, and not “Who is He?”
“So Jesus said to the twelve, "Do you want to go away as well?" Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God."”
John 6:67-69 ESV
This is an exchange that occurred in the synagogue in Capernaum between Jesus and the twelve apostles regarding Communion. Communion, in modern religion it is often presented as a metaphor, but to the disciples it was literal indeed. If it were not viewed as literal, as a physical act, then why did many of them walk away in disgust... unable to participate in this? If Jesus could turn water into wine, then certainly He could turn wine into blood, and if He could multiply the loaves, then certainly He could transform them into His flesh.
“As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread the fathers ate, and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever."
When many of his disciples heard it, they said, "This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?"
After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him.”
John 6:57-58, 60, 66 ESV
So who are we? We know who Jesus is, He is the Holy One of God... His Son, the Lamb of God, our Redeemer, Jesus is He who would dwell in us. He is both Spirit and flesh as we are, so how then should you come to know Him if not in spirit and in flesh? Remember the words of Stephen on the verge of death?
“And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."”
Acts 7:59 ESV
God is spirit, we are both body and spirit, and Jesus became as we are by being born with both a body and His Spirit as well. We know Him as both, and He dwells in us in this way as well through Communion. Sustaining ourselves spiritually by allowing the Spirit of Jesus to abide in us comes more easily, and without offense, but we are inclined to resist the fact that His very blood and flesh sustain us as well. Argument arises as we seek to overcome the idea that we ingest the body and blood of Christ during Communion. This argument is fed by words such as...
“So Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him.”
John 6:53-56 ESV
Versus words such as this...
“And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. And he said to them, "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. Truly, I say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God."”
Mark 14:23-25 ESV
Jesus is both Spirit and Flesh, so although we argue one manifestation of Christ over the other, there is truth in both... this is a great mystery in Communion. So to this end comes the debate over when the wine actually becomes blood, and when the bread actually becomes flesh... as if the moment has significance. Isn’t it enough to know it does? Isn’t it enough to feed our spirit on His remembrance as well? When does that occur?
So back to the question “Who are we?” Are we spiritual, physical, or both? Are we the ones who are repulsed by the thought of being sustained by the body of Christ, or one of those who readily accepts this and its mystery? Do we drink the wine and go back to our pew, or do we take it into our mouth and search for that instant when we will taste the saltiness of Christ’s blood on our tongue? Are we made complete by accepting the Spirit of Jesus to abide in us, or are we one who joins with Him in both body and spirit? So if eating the flesh, and drinking the blood of Jesus is as real as the original disciple perceived it to be... Do we join Him physically in Communion as we remember Him, or do we walk away in disgust at the thought? Who are we... this is our contemplation today.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your Son Jesus Christ who has come to abide in us. Thank you Holy Father for letting us know Him as the “Holy one of God”, and allowing ourselves to join as one with Him. Help us Merciful Father to understand the mystery of Communion, and to accept it as both spiritual and physical in nature. Hold us close Lord and help us to remain with Jesus when He explains that we must eat His flesh and drink His blood to know eternal life. This is your Table Lord, and we approach it in great anticipation and joy, it is here that we meet our savior in body, and spirit... it is here that we remember that He abides in us, and that we contain within us the holiness of God by His presence. Feed our bodies, and feed our souls, Oh Lord, that we might increase in faith, righteousness, and holiness. Seat as at this table you have prepared for us in your house. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God, and Holy is your Son Jesus in whom you abide, and who abides in you. Great is your mercy, and grace, as you set this table before us and bid us to eat.
“As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy."”
1 Peter 1:14-16 ESV
Rich Forbes