Will you take and eat?

²² While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke

it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take it; this is my body.”

²³ Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it.

²⁴ “This is my blood of the^[c] covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them. ²⁵ “Truly I tell you, I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” Mark 14

He “gave it”, but they had to “take it”.  This was true for the bread and the drink from the cup.  Engaging in the activity makes you a participant rather than a spectator.  The disciples were participants in the last supper that Jesus had on earth before his death and resurrection.  This supper did not make Judas a changed man and it did not keep Peter from denying Jesus a few hours later.  So what makes this sacrament special?

Two things are important about the Lord’s supper when you have an opportunity to participate.  First, Christ is present in a special way.  Spiritually we are “reconnecting” with the body of Christ.  This means firstly that we are connected to the head which is Christ.  He is letting us know that we belong to him, that we are “his body”.   We are not just familiar with him,  we are a part of him.  And when his is present He is always himself.  He is still able to impart life, healing, purpose, and peace during HIS supper.

Second, we are reminded that we are a part of the whole body of Christ.  We are not his whole body in ourselves.  Rather, the Holy Spirit has fitted us into a specific role in the body of Christ.  We have a specific function to perform for the rest of the body to work well.  We are also the recipients of the rest of the body of Christ.   We need other Christians in our lives to live the Christ life. When we take the bread it reminds us to be humble and receive from others where we are needy. 

There is the physical act of taking the bread and the cup.  But there is the unseen faith experience of taking the bread and the cup.  We encounter Jesus and our sins are forgiven.  This is by faith.  Trust that Jesus will make himself real to you the next time you observe the Lord’s Supper.  Take Eat and Drink.