“Christ Comes
in the Breaking of Bread” Matthew
26”:26-30 12/6/20 2nd Advent at Lake Murray Presbyterian by Dr. J.
Ben Sloan
“Take eat this is my body…Drink from it all of you. This my blood of the
covenant poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” [Advent means “coming” and I have been
talking about ways that Christ comes to us today. Last week we mentioned through listening and
praying. Today, on communion Sunday I
want to speak of how Christ comes in the sacrament of communion.]
My wife bought me a DNA test for Christmas- which I
love. I have been doing a lot of
research all weekend. I have seen
pictures for the first time in my life of some ancestors going back to the
American Revolution. Of course, I never
knew them, but seeing their portraits brought me closer to them. Of course there are no pictures or portraits
of Jesus but He used a symbol as a way to get closer to Him. He said this is me. When you see this bread and this cup, this is
me- and remember what I have done for you.
Communion is a gift. When we were
planning for where worship was going to be during the pandemic, one of the
questions several elders asked was when can we have communion and how can we do
it? It is not to be ignored- even in a
pandemic. So we have what we call online
communion for those watching online and we have hygienic kits for those here. There have always been different people
with differing views on what communion means or is. For some, it is simply a memorial- do this in
remembrance of me- so that we would never forget that Jesus died on the cross
for us to be forgiven.
In that sense it is called “an ordinance” like a command or law to be
obeyed. But the vast majority of the
church sees communion as much more than something we have to do to
remember. Most see Holy Communion as a sacrament- where the presence of Christ in
the form of the Holy Spirit comes to those who are prepared for such a
presence. It is more than just a
rationalistic law there is a mystery that occurs. John Calvin, the founder of the Presbyterian
Church, who is often accused of being overly rationalistic, said that in the
eucharistic meal Christ is more vividly present than in any other rite or
ceremony in the church. In other words-
look for His coming in communion.
The words of Jesus “This is my body”
and “This is my blood of the covenant” are not talking about a magical change
from bread to the actual body of Christ as much as the spiritual presence of
God in the power of the Holy Spirit. I
will never forget Rahn McCrady’s sister- and Elinor Harris’s aunt, Tina Pitts,
telling me years ago that she had a deeply moving conversion experience during
communion at Eastminster. Sometimes
people say, “I can’t experience God.”
But communion is what our confessions call “a means of grace” or a tool
or gift of God to experience His presence if you are open to it. I know some in this congregation who believe
communion is the most moving part of worship for them.
Communion is also sometimes called
in the church “eucharist.” Eucharist
comes from the Greek word to give thanks or praise. The sacrifice of Christ is remembered in a
sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving.
We remember Christ’s death for our sake.
We remember He gave Himself for us.
He risked leaving the almighty throne in heaven to become a baby, and
risked dying on the cross- trusting the Father would raise Him. Sacrifice is an important part of finding
peace. We recognize we have peace by
those who sacrifice- so we celebrate Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day. To get a vaccine, some had to be willing to
risk their own health to try it out.
Jennifer Haller is a 43 year old mother of two from Seattle. She was the first to try the Moderna-NIH
vaccine on March 16 in their Phase 1 trials.
Now there were no animal trials on this vaccine. Yet she took a risk to help others, and today
she said she’d do it again. Her risk and
the development of a vaccine is important.
But as everyone knows. If a
vaccine works but no one is willing to try it, it means nothing. Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross may
be the way to get into heaven and escape death.
But if you are not willing to believe and trust in Him, it means nothing
too. We give thanks and praise in a
visible way in communion- euchareo- that Christ risked, even more sacrificed,
that we who trust and follow Him might have life now and in eternity. When we give thanks to Christ, we find the
living Christ comes to us in our hearts- giving us hope, comfort, strength,
joy, and peace.
.
Remember you go nowhere by accident. Where you are going, God is sending you. Where you are He has placed you. God has a purpose for your life- right where
you are. Christ Jesus, who indwells you
has something that He wants to do in and through your life wherever you
are. Believe this and go in His love,
grace, and power in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit Amen. (Richard
Halverson Benediction)
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