Share the Cup 3

Mark 14:22-24

When our kids were younger we bought them geodes while on vacation. Geodes are round rocks that are rather plain on the outside. What you need to do is break the stone open, cracking it in half, so that you can see what is on the inside.

Inside the geode are sparkling crystals that form on the inner lining of these hollow, stone orbs. You can only see the wonderful beauty of the rock when you have cracked it open.

In his time with the disciples during the Last Supper Jesus initiated, or started, the sacrament of Communion. What did Jesus do with the bread? What did he say about it? What did he do with the cup of wine? What did he say about it?

Bread can be a wonderful, delicious and nourishing substance. Wine can be a delicious and delightful drink of celebration. But neither of them can be enjoyed until they have been consumed. To eat the bread you must break into the bread.

In his time with the disciples Jesus was comparing himself to the ordinary substances of bread and wine. As he broke the bread he told the disciples that it was his body. He made the same reference to the wine saying it was his blood.

What he meant was that like the bread his body would be broken at the crucifixion. Like the wine his blood would be poured out. But I believe he also meant that like the bread Jesus had to be broken, to become the human who would suffer, so that we might have access to him. Through the humble act of allowing himself to suffer and die we can become the companions of the Son of God. Through the shedding of his blood we have access to the forgiveness God offers.

As we celebrate Communion we must remember that Jesus has opened himself up to us. He has broken himself so that we might be able to be part of who he is and he might be part of who we are. In the sharing of the bread and wine we are made the friends of Jesus who will enjoy his companionship.

DAILY CHALLENGE: What will help you remember the deeper meaning of Communion?