Engage in Communion

Our previous discussion centered around the nourishing function of the Word (aka the flesh).  It continually “quickens” (makes alive) our spirit, from death to life. Christ also referenced it as the bread of life. (see Jn.  6:35)

In The Mind of Christ post, we identified the cleansing function of the Word (aka the blood).  Both of which are spiritual functions, pertaining to the inner man, not outward or physical.  

…the flesh profiteth nothing… (Jn 6:63KJV)

Jesus did leave us a physical (outward) representation, demonstrating what this looks like in the partaking of Communion.  Again, it is a representation, or a symbol of what occurs spiritually, in our inner man, when we eat of his flesh, and drink of his blood (the Word).  

Let’s try to recap from the beginning.  As discussed in the One thing is Needful post, the Word is received from time spent in His presence, as Mary did at the feet of Jesus.  I noticed that during Communion the bread and wine is often described with the Russian term “сокровенное”, interpreted as: inmost and intimate.  The Russian definition translates this term as: that which is received in secret.  

Intimacy with Jesus (the prayer closet), and time in His presentence is where the Word is received.  It is then taken out of the prayer closet and “communed” to others, so that they can partake of it also.  In the Have you enrolled into Bible School post, we uncovered this spiritual occurrence as Jesus, the instructor, expounds and explains scripture to “the hearer”/student (physically represented in breaking of bread during Communion).  The hearer of the Word, receives the word and passes it again, by communicating it on to someone else (physically represented in the passing of bread and wine).  The individual who now received the Word, also receives the same cleansing and nourishing benefit as the one who first received it from the feet of Jesus.  Like so, the Word, gets communicated from one believer to the next, providing nourishment and cleansing to all that receive it.   

… we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 Jn. 1:7 KJV)

Here is the word Communion defined: 

·      intimate fellowship or rapport

·      communication

·      the sharing or exchanging of intimate thoughts and feelings, especially when the exchange is on a mental or spiritual level

 

The Russian word Communion (причастие), means “symbol”.  Again, confirming that it symbolic.  We know that a symbol serves the purpose of reminding us of something, especially that we do not forget it.  When Jesus first partook of Communion with his disciples, he stated: 

…this do in remembrance of me. (Luke 22:19 KJV)

We cannot engage and partake of “the symbol” physically (outwardly) alone, and claim that it has the spiritual (inward) functions of cleansing and nourishing.  In fact, doing so we make it a ritual or tradition, that is without any effect or power.  We fall in the danger of misleading not only ourselves but others as well.  Jesus specifically rebuked the religious leaders of that time of doing so.  He firmly declared that they were:

Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered… (Mark 7:13 KJV)

Here is an illustration:

My mom gives hugs and kisses.  A picture/statue (symbol) of my mom for instance, will remind me of her, perhaps even of her sweetest qualities, yet the picture cannot give hugs and kisses.  If we offer reverence to the symbol, how much more should we reverence the Word received.  

 

 

My father had once shared: True breaking of bread is taking scripture and expounding it to someone less spiritually mature than you, in the way Christ reveals it to you.  However often we throw various Scriptures at others, as entire loafs of bread and say "Here Chew".  

 

 

Supporting Texts:

...if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation...(1 Peter 3:1 KJV)

When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation…(1 Cor. 14:26 ESV)

 

Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: (Mal. 3:16 KJV)

 

When he therefore was come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten, and talked a long while, even till break of day…(Acts 20:11 KJV)