And as they were eating, He took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, "Take; this is My body." And He took a cup, and when He had given thanks He gave it to them, and they all drank of it. And He said to them, "This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many." (Mark 14:22-24)
Have you ever wondered why Jesus chose bread and wine in order to give Himself to His disciples? There are probably many reasons, such as the fact that bread and wine are common, and fairly easy to get for most people. They're found in most human cultures, which makes things easier for a church that would spread worldwide.
I wonder if there might not be another reason, though. After all, eggs are cheap and plentiful. So is water. So are leafy greens. Why not choose them?
But there is one thing about bread that is also true about wine: Both bread and wine originate with living, God-created things—seeds and grapes, but both are also deeply, deeply involved with humanity. No one picks bread off a bush, or dips wine out of a well. Bread is the result of a long train of human activities—planting, harvesting, grinding, baking. Wine is similar—planting, harvesting, pressing, fermenting.
Choosing bread and wine makes sense for a Savior who is God Himself, and yet also truly human. He never holds Himself back from us—not in Person, and not in Communion. He gave Himself for us so that everyone who trusts in Him would live forever, and now, in the Lord's Supper, He joins us to Himself, making us His forever.
THE PRAYER: Thank You, Lord, for joining Yourself to us. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
* What is the most human-influenced food you eat? The least?
* Why do you think Jesus chose to use physical things to give Himself to us?
* What does Communion mean to you?
Lenten Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Today's Bible Readings: Deuteronomy 23-25 Luke 6:27-49
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