1 Corinthians 10:14-17 (Belgic Confession, article 35)
One Loaf
14
Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry.
15
I speak to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say.
16
Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation inthe body of Christ?
17
Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for weall partake of the one loaf.
Brothers and sisters in Christ,Eating supper together is becoming less and less of a reality in our society. When I was younger living at home our dinners werenever around the table. We’d go into the kitchen, grab a plate of food.One or two of us might sit at the kitchen table. Someone elsewould sit in front of the TV. One of us would go eat in a bedroomwhile doing some homework. Our house was divided – whichreally represented some of the problems in our house.I think it’s the same with the Lord’s Supper.There are a lot of very strong feelings about the Sacrament. Therehave been many battles – many struggles – theological difficulties – divisions and fights. And some are still going on – and thetemptation is to start picking sides and carry on the fights.Let’s go to war with the Roman Catholics again about the mass – or let’s take on Zwingli and his memorial supper. Or children at thetable – that one’s fresh and interesting – let’s have a go at that tosee if we can move forward. Now the debates are useful – again we need to define our beliefsand understand what the Scriptures teach and what they don’t.We’ll do some of that tonight.But they also highlight a greater reality within the church. That weeat at a divided table. Where we sit down at our own meals and
1
Leave a Comment