Grace and Peace Episode 39

Rev. Jeffrey T. Howard
Grace and Peace Episode 39
Presbyterian Church of Easton
June 13, 2021

Watch Episode 39

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:2

Heidelberg Catechism

79Q.  Why then does Christ call the bread his body and the cup his blood,or the new covenant in his blood, and Paul uses the words, a participation in Christ’s body and blood?
A. Christ has good reason for these words. He wants to teach us that just as bread and wine nourish the temporal life, so too his crucified body and poured-out blood are the true food and drink of our souls for eternal life.  But more important, he wants to assure us, by this visible sign and pledge, that we, through the Holy Spirit’s work, share in his true body and blood as surely as our mouths receive these holy signs in his remembrance, and that all of his suffering and obedience are as definitely ours as if we personally had suffered and made satisfaction for our sins.

Luke 22:19 Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 

Whenever we celebrate the Lord’s Supper we remember these words and actions of Jesus.   As Jesus picked up bread and broke he said, “This is my body.”  What exactly did he mean?  In the medieval church there was a belief that Christ was sacrificed each day in a ceremony called the “Mass”.  The bread of the sacrifice became the body of Christ and the wine became his blood.  

The Protestant Reformers wanted to emphasize that Christ’s sacrifice occurred only once, on the cross.  Zwingli said that communion is merely a memorial meal, the bread and wine do not change.  Luther said that Christ’s spirit comes upon the bread and wine in communion  Calvin said that when Jesus said, this is my body, he was referring to himself.  We have to see Jesus in communion.  And the only way for that to happen is if the Holy Spirit lifts us up to be with Jesus in heaven every time we gather around the communion table.

Of course, the “Body of Christ”  refers to the church.   As we gather around the communion table we see others in the church;  we see the “Body of Christ”.  So we can never do communion alone.   We have to be able to see the body of Christ whenever the bread is broken and the juice poured out.  Let’s pray.

Father in Heaven send your Spirit to be with us as we gather around the communion table.   Lift our hearts to heaven where we may commune with your son.   And bless us as we look into the eyes of other believers whenever we communion on the Body of Christ.  In whose name we pray.  Amen.