In taking communion I reflected on the two elements and what they represent. The bread is depicted as Jesus’ body; the cup, His blood. Both represent a sacrifice we can never understand. We can meditate and gain meaning. We can focus and gain a glimmer of truth. We can study and find all kinds of applications. In the end it involves realities that we cannot grasp. If that were not true He would not be God and it would not be powerful enough for our salvation.
His body represents the incarnation. What an awesome thing for God to step into humanity.
(Philippians 2:6-8 KJV) Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.We can define each of the words. We can work out the grammar. We can get the point. We can never begin to experience what it was for the Word to become flesh. He humbled Himself to the point of death. He who was eternal put Himself in a position to know our limitations and our fears. The contrast is too wonderful for us to absorb.
But we try.
The cup represents the crucifixion and the atonement, the shedding of blood. Because one of God’s attributes is justice, it was not possible for Him to just say, “Olly, olly oxen, free, free, free.” We are sinful. Sin demands payment. We can never hope to pay the principle, let alone the interest. Only the Perfect Lamb of God could do that. So, He who knew no sin became sin our out behalf by dying on the cross and shedding His blood. That is why it is called the passion. The agony of bearing our sin is beyond comprehension.
But we can try.
And we can rejoice in the knowledge that,
(John 3:16 KJV) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.homo unius libri
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