Opening THE Book with Rev John K-S September 2023

Rev John Kinchin-Smith
Assistant Minister, St Andrew’s Church, Gorleston

Why do churches have Services of Holy Communion (also known as the Lord’s Supper, the Eucharist, or the Mass)?
 
Why do Christians share bread and wine?
 
The Bible tells us that on the night Jesus was betrayed, while at supper with his disciples, ‘he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “Take and eat, this is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me”. In the same way, at the end of the meal, he took a cup of wine, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This cup is the new covenant in my blood which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me”
 
This event was considered so important by the first Christians that it is recorded by Matthew, Mark, and Luke in their Gospels and by St Paul in his first letter to the Corinthians. From the very beginning of the Christian Church, therefore, the sharing of bread and wine has been at the heart of the Church’s life and identity. The Church is following Jesus’ command
 
But the Bible teaches that Holy Communion is more than just following Jesus’ command. Because this event took place on the night Jesus was betrayed, and hours before his crucifixion, he gave this meal to his disciples to help them understand the meaning of his death. Jesus’ death was the last thing they expected. It made no sense to them. But this meal was also a Passover meal which celebrated the liberation of the Hebrew nation from slavery in Egypt, freedom in the Promised Land, and a unique covenant relationship with God. The death of Jesus made possible a new covenant relationship between God and his people, a liberation from all that damages and diminishes human life, and freedom into eternal life with God
 
Further, the Bible teaches that in some mysterious way, sharing this meal of bread and wine brings a deep spiritual union with Jesus and with other Christians. St Paul wrote, “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all share the one bread”
 

courtesy of the Gorleston Community Magazine

The views carried here are those of the author, not of Network Yarmouth, and are intended to stimulate constructive and good-natured debate between website users

We welcome your thoughts and comments, posted below, upon the ideas expressed here

Click here to read our forum and comment posting guidelines