April 15: The Body and the Blood

Luke 22:14-20 (New International Version)
When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. And he said to them, "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God." After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, "Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes." And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me." In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you."

Let's talk about communion. I want to know what you think. There are three common theological ideas about communion:
1)Transubstantiation
2)Consubstantiation
3)Symbolism

The first idea is predominantly held by our Catholic brothers and sisters. Transubstantiation is a belief that the bread and the wine physically turn into the body and blood of Jesus Christ.

Consubstantiation is a belief that the power of the body and blood of Christ is in the bread and wine, while the elements still hold their physical characteristics.

Finally, the third idea is very simple. Taking communion is done for remembrance only. The bread and wine are just symbolic of the body and blood, and have no physical or spiritual significance.

What do you believe? Let’s see what the word has to say about it.

John 6:49-55 (New International Version)
"Your forefathers ate the manna in the desert, yet they died. But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which a man may eat and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world." Then the Jews began to argue sharply among themselves, "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?" Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink."

Imagine if someone told you that you needed to eat him! I would think that gentleman was ten different kinds of crazy! That’s what the Jews who heard Jesus speaking thought, too. But, Jesus repeated himself in verse 55. "For my flesh is real food and my body is real drink."

These are not the only scriptures in the bible about communion. You should research this topic and leave a comment about what you believe.

Think about these questions as well:

• Should communion only be given in church by a priest or pastor?


• Do we have to use wine and unleavened bread?


• Should we be concerned about how the elements were stored?


• Is there a time when people should not take or be allowed to take communion?