Knowing Christ-Part 9 “The Bread of Life and The True Vine”
Posted by Chris on March 15, 2012 under Front Page Posts, Sermons
Comments Before Serving the Bread:
We know Jesus through the images that he gave us (McGrath, Knowing Christ). For instance, he tells us that he is the way, the truth, and the life. He is not merely the guide but he is the way. He is not merely a teacher of the truth, but he is the truth. He is not simply a giver of life, but he is life.
Two images should come to mind as we gather at the
Lord’s Supper: Jesus says, “I am the Bread of Life,” and also “I am the True Vine.”
At the Lord’s Supper, our living Lord asks us to “remember” him. Not simply a remembrance of an historical event (which none of us experienced first hand), but a remembrance that pays attention to his nearness. If we wish to know Christ, then “do this in remembrance of me” means “do this with some regard to my presence . . . do not overlook me or ignore my company.” And so he instructs his disciples to regard the bread and the wine as his body and his blood. What does this mean? How do we do this?
When we are baptized into Christ, we are connected to the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. He was baptized and so are we. When we pray, our heart, mind and body engage with words and thoughts and groans – we pray just as Christ prayed. Likewise, when we share real bread and real fruit of the vine, our heart mind and body are connected to Christ who also lived as we do.
And just as there’s nothing magical about the water of baptism, or the words and posture of prayer, there is nothing magical about the simple bread and juice. However, that doesn’t mean that these ordinary things do not take on great significance when we share them with joy and reverence.
And so, if the bread that we eat is the body of Christ, then it is in some way our participation in Jesus who is the Bread of Life.
Bread is the most basic of foods in most cultures. Grain, rice, wheat – whatever it may be. It is the basic nutrition that feeds our bodies. When we are truly hungry, our bodies are wasting away.
How many of us have experienced real hunger? Not the everyday hunger of skipping a meal or the rumbling stomach that signals it is meal time. Rather, how many of us have experienced true hunger borne out of starvation and the lack of real food? I suspect only a few of us have experienced it first hand. Perhaps due to health or circumstances. More of us have likely witnessed hunger – maybe on a trip similar to the upcoming Honduras mission. Or quite possibly right here in our own county or community.
The first need of the starving is food – simple food to feed their bodies.
We may have never known such hunger in our bodies, but has your soul ever been starved? Has your heart ever ached with emptiness? Has your mind ever longed to be filled with truth or purpose? If so, then you have been starved for life. There is good news at the table of the Lord – Jesus Christ is the bread of life. Not the bringer of bread or the provider of bread, but he himself is the bread of life.
We never have to be hungry in our soul, heart or mind because we have been invited to the Lord’s Table and we may eat of the bread of life. As we partake of this bread, we are remembering Christ and we can do that with one another. Do your best to respect the quiet meditation of some, but also respect the quiet conversations – the murmuring between adults and children as little ones are being taught the meaning of the Bread of Life. If there is whispering near you, then thank God for it and pray that Christ is present in word as well as bread. For the gifts of baptism, prayer, and communion are never given to us in wordless mystery. No, Jesus had quite a lot to say about it. So let’s have him start the conversation — (John 6)
Comments Before Serving the Cup: [Click Here for Audio – 03.11.2012 Part 2]
As 21st century Americans, so many of us live far away from the land than sustains us. We rarely grow our own food, raise or hunt our own meat – and if we do it’s a hobby or sport. We know that if we fail in our garden or rifle’s aim we can still open a can or shop at Wal-Mart. What we eat is rarely connected to the land.
This is why the fruit of the vine was a part of the ancient celebrations. The vine grew up out of the earth and if it thrived and put out branches, then those branches would bear fruit. That fruit became food and wine. The joy was a celebration of life and a thanksgiving that the land was sustaining life. All of the hard work of cultivated the earth and tending the vine had paid off. Enjoyment of the fruit was proper.
This is why the vine was a symbol of Israel. God worked hard to tend to the vine and care for it. He deserved the fruit of the vine. But he was often disappointed that his care and husbandry of the vine resulted in nothing.
Now Jesus introduces a new meaning for the vine built on this old one. He is the true vine (John 15). We are the branches. We will bear fruit if we are connected to the true vine who is connected to God. Real life is possible, abundant life is enjoyable but only if the branches are connected to the true vine. It may be forgivable that we do not live in connection to the earth, but it is tragic to be cut off from the True Vine.