2 qualifiers as we begin, so that what I’m about to say is not misunderstood. 1 This is not a re-sacrificing of Christ, as Rome would have us believe. 2. Christ is not in the bread and wine physically.
We have before us a re-presentation of Christ’s sacrifice for us. His body was broken, so we break the bread. Blood flowed out of Him, so we pour wine. And the sacrifice did what it was supposed to. We were far from God, but His blood brings us near. Jesus in His flesh has abolished and killed the enmity between us and God. He told us Himself what He was doing: “this is My blood… shed for many for the remission of sins.” As you believe Jesus was sent by God to do this for you, you are one of those many, and you see many more seated around you
Here at the Table of our Lord Jesus Christ, this is where our salvation becomes specifically for you. We proclaim the Gospel to all who will hear, and the words about Jesus Christ float around in the air. Hopefully your ears catch some of them and they get to your mind and heart, and they should. Still, words can be airy, flighty things, escaping us so easily. But now bread and wine are given to put into YOUR mouth. Jesus must come and be present with you, as intimately as the food you eat is present with you. He is your sustenance, your strength, your life. And unless He enters YOUR life, none of this Gospel preaching or theology means a hill of beans. Is your mouth stopped when you consider your sin – that you have no right to be here? Good. So it should be. But go on to believe - that Christ has died so that sin won’t keep Him from you, or you from Him. So after your mouth is stopped, remember to OPEN your mouth, and God will fill it. Commune and fellowship with Jesus Christ.
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