The most visible and profound way in which the community gives evidence to its fellowship is the common meal, sitting together at the table. Even as we do “Guess Who’s coming to dinner” so is the Lord’s Supper reveals who is really a member of this family. People who are of Christ cannot be separate. We are bought by one blood, we are adopted into one family, and we sit together at the Table, celebrating this unity.
The Lord’s Supper embodies the major features of the Christian life. the broken bread points us to the humanity of Jesus. The bread, being the most basic and lowly of all foods, points to the humility and availability of our Lord, accessible to both, poor and rich.
Both, crushed wheat and pressed grape, represent death. And also a resurrection, as a seed watered dies to grow and produce more. At early Christian suppers there was one loaf. Paul writes: “Because there is one leaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf!” (1st Corinthians 10:17)
Shared memories are part of what make up a people. By sharing a set of memories, people groups gain a sense of identity and belonging. A shared meal is a venue for sharing memories, and establishing new ones. You remember who you dined together with.
Just like next week’s Thanksgiving will be marked by new memories of families coming together, friends visiting and dining together, so is this Lord’s Supper – is a memory to share. But it gives much more – it cements our lives together.
It is also a Covenant meal, a binding agreement between participating parties. In the Old Testament times every covenant was sealed by a meal shared together. At this table, the Lord’s Supper, small portions they may be, just appetizers for the future Wedding Supper of the Lamb in heaven, we are sealing our covenant with each other to love one another.
If the baptism is an initiation into Christian faith, the Lord’s Supper is a reaffirmation of our initial commitment to Christ, and a reaffirmation of our new identity in the family of God.
Welcome to the Family Table today!
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