Jul 07, 2010
DISCIPLESHIP: Breaking Bread 1.
Posted by Pastor Todd Murphy in | Comments (0)
When Luke says that they also “devoted themselves continually” to the “breaking of bread” this does not just mean eating meals together, thought that is important too. Jesus ate with social outcasts which was a radically social move on is part to visually proclaim his acceptance of them. Eating meals together are in and of themselves a means toward deeper relational commitment. This is why so many people go out to eat on a date. But when Luke is talking about “breaking bread” he is talking about the ongoing sacrament of the Lord’s table, communion.
It is of course not surprising that Jesus chose to transform the passover meal into a regular sacramental reality for his disciples to enjoy fellowship with their risen Lord after his ascension. The paschal feast was always infused with the story of redemption, God redeeming Israel out bondage in Egypt. Jesus transforms it into a regular meal to celebrate redemption from sin and the coming eschatological triumph of God over all sin, death and suffering.
As we already noted though, meals naturally imply intimacy, and so in choosing to make the primary sacrament of the church, the love feast is a constant reminder of intimacy with God and with those who know him too. In it, God calls us into a regular communion with him, to experience is redemptive love, forgiveness, and fellowship. While books have been written voluminously on the theology and significance of the Lord’s Table, we will focus on the two most important facets about it which explain why it was so important to the early disciples and us. These two points are (1) Christ’s presence and communion with his people and (2) Repentance. We will deal with them in turn.
Christ’s Presence: God’s presence with his people is the biblical truth stemming back into the Old Testament. It was what was implied by the cloud that lead them in the desert, and when the glory of the Lord filled the temple. In Acts chapter 2, the Holy Spirit in a similar manner fills God’s people with the same imagery the way he is said to have filled the temple in the Old Testament. This is the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise in John 14:15 that he will send the Holy Spirit to be with his disciples.
One thing we often overlook is that there is a unique presence of the Holy Spirit in our corporate gatherings. It is clear, that while each and every Christian has the Spirit, there is a unique qualitative presence when we come together as the people of God. In Acts 5, Ananias and Saphira come into the assembly and are struck dead for “lying to the Holy Spirit” for their brazen act of coming in and lying in the face of the gathered community as if it was no difference.l. Also in 1 Corinthians 11:30 Paul mentions that some are sick and dying for profaning the body and blood of the Lord. The point, is, not unlike Aaron’s sons, Nadab and Abihu in Leviticus 10:1-3 who die for burning strange fire in the presence of the Lord, so also, some of the Corinthians are coming in and flippantly taking the Lord’s body and blood without thought to the divine presence of Christ when the church gathers for the sacrament. This does not mean Christ is in the bread and wine, but as a Reformed church, we believe in what we call the “real presence” meaning that when God’s people come together for the preached word of God and the sacraments, Christ shows up as the chief member and shepherd of his church to commune with us. He does not become the sacrament, nor is he in it, but he is with the church in a special way when they gather for it.
The presence of the Lord, when we come together, is to encourage, edify, and nurture us spiritually. It is Christ coming to meet us--to commune with his church like a divine husband and friend who loves his bride. It is for this reason also that Luke says they “devoted themselves continually” to it. For many evangelicals today, as a reaction to some of the Roman Church’ teachings on the supper, have run to the other extreme teaching that it is only symbolic and a memorial meal. In this kind of thinking, the supper is turned more into a sort of religious wake for the Christ, where we celebrate his life, but do not see us as communing with a resurrected and reigning Lord. It is for this reason, that many evangelical churches do it sinfully seldom, sometimes monthly, quarterly or even less. We must be mindful that this is in direct disobedience to 1 Cor 11:26 where the disciples are to do it “often” to “proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” The Lord’s table is not just communion with him, but it is also a co-proclamation of the Gospel with him. When we do it, he shows up and together with him we are declaring publicly the victory of God over all worldly powers. When we do not do it regularly, we are sinning by refusing to proclaim the Gospel as commanded!
Posted by Pastor Todd Murphy in | Comments (0)
