26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” 27 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”
Jesus' statement points to the future fulfillment of God's kingdom. Believers are encouraged to live with an eternal perspective - anticipating the complete realization of God's promises.
Partaking of bread means “eating of it together”. The people of the Old Testament found that when they ate the manna, they were satisfied. Jesus told His disciples to "Take and eat". It was a demonstration that by partaking of Christ we have life. It does us no good just to know about it; we must also experience it. Partaking of Jesus is committing our desires and our will to make Jesus our Savior and Lord. Just like the manna of the Old Testament was not plowed or planted by the Israelites, but God let them harvest it. It was there for the taking. It was food provided by God, so Jesus was sent from heaven for us and is for our taking.
Many times, I have made hospital visits on people receiving intravenous feedings. They did not necessarily choose to eat food that way; it was given to them. Many who were unconscious made no specific decision about receiving such nourishment. God does not force anyone to take His manna. We don't buy it; it is a gift. We don't earn it or trade for it or work for it, we simply receive it and take it and eat. This is no different with receiving Christ. We are aware of Him; we come to Him. “Take and eat. That is a figurative expression meaning, we make the commitment of our wills and desires to follow Christ. That conviction and dedication is by faith.
Look at all the different verses saying the same thing: John 6:29 "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent." vs. 35 "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty." vs. 40 "For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day."
There is a difference, of course, in Jesus and the manna of the Old Testament. It goes without saying, one is a picture/figure of the other. The bread points to Jesus. One is an inanimate object for nourishment - the other is alive, the Son of the living God. The first is an object and has no will, desire or feeling. Jesus is the opposite of that. He gave Himself voluntarily, in love for the welfare of others. Capacity for unselfish love and sacrifice is also in the image of God. Jesus gives us Himself to feast upon. He sustains us day by day and will raise us up to heaven.
To partake also is our desire to become more like Jesus. “I in Him and He in me.” "Let this mind be in you as was also Christ." (Philippians 5:2). He was always humble, willing to give himself to His Father and to others. No wonder Jesus said that this was a hard saying who can bear it.
There are many church goers not interested in Jesus as Savior and Lord but not wanting to give up their sin and live for Christ. Men want the blessings of Christ, but do not want to commit their lives to Him. John 6 53Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.” This is the symbol of not just believing, but also partaking fully.
Bread exists to be broken and eaten. It is to be given and shared to be consumed. The bread that we eat at communion times is just the reminder that it is the Lord's Table. We are not invited to take part because of our works, efforts, or good deeds. Jesus alone provides our food upon which we feast.
Application: Take and eat in remembrance of Him.
Prayer: Lord, you have given Yourself to us and for our salvation. We praise You for all You have done and continue to do in our lives.
Dale
