Daily Scripture:
1 Corinthians 11:23 For what I received from the Lord is just what I passed on to you — that the Lord Yeshua, on the night he was betrayed, took bread; 24 and after he had made the b’rakhah he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this as a memorial to me”; 25 likewise also the cup after the meal, saying, “This cup is the New Covenant effected by my blood; do this, as often as you drink it, as a memorial to me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord, until he comes. (Complete Jewish Bible).
Reflection Questions:
Paul reminded his readers that Holy Communion was a tradition and a gift they received, and now had a responsibility to guard. Jesus chose to memorialize this most painful part of His story. He wanted us to remember not only the resurrection, but also the sacrifice before the resurrection. Practicing Communion is a way of facing the full, complex story of Jesus. Paul said to his readers: do not ignore the painful parts. Confront the full history.
- In Black Panther, a British museum director asked Killmonger to step away from a 7th-century Beninese hammer display, saying, “These items aren’t for sale.” Killmonger responded, “How do you think your ancestors got these? Did they pay a fair price, or did they take them, like they took everything else?” He asked the museum director to confront the displayed objects’ full history. Have you ever wanted to forget a painful part of your history? Have you been avoiding parts of your past to create a more idealized self? How could confronting your past give you more authenticity?
- Before Communion, there is often a prayer of confession. We must first confront our mistakes and pain before seeking the healing and reconciliation found in the bread and cup. How do you usually deal with pain or failure in your life? Do you try to bury it, or do you seek healing after confronting it head on?
Lord Jesus, thank you for your sacrifice. Give me the courage it takes to confront my painful histories. Be with me as I work to heal and reconcile. Call me to authenticity and vulnerability. Amen.
Matt Nixon has grown up at Church of the Resurrection and in rezlife Student Ministries, and is now a summer intern in rezlife. He is a student at the University of Arkansas (S’GO HOGS) studying Industrial Engineering. He loves being around students and going on mission trips, as well as talking sports with everyone he meets.
When I was a little kid, Communion used to simply be a really yummy snack after a long church service that I sat through, restlessly coloring and playing tic-tac-toe on that day's GPS. Who could resist the sweet bread and grape juice? I never listened to a word. The music was background noise. The introduction and explanation were completely overshadowed by the excitement my little sister and I had for the grape juice. We would have drunk all of it if we could.
Eventually though, the words began to be more than background noise. I started to watch a little more intently when Pastor Adam, Pastor Karen, or Pastor Wendy broke the big round loaf of bread. I started to hear their words when they poured the grape juice (what I now knew was the "unfermented wine"), and listen to what was really happening.
As my mind matured I began to realize what this seemingly weird act of dipping bread in grape juice really was.
“This is my body broken for you.”
“This is my blood of the new covenant poured out for you.”
As my childhood taste buds lost their unquenchable desire for grape juice, I finally got to feel the impact of the moment. To feel the weight of Jesus’ body being broken for me, and to finally see the magnitude of Jesus’ blood being spilled for me was glorious. It took time and thought, but when I was able to visualize the love Jesus had for us in this act changed my entire experience of church.
Working in student ministries has given me the chance from the perspective of a leader to see what I used to look like before I realized the power of this act. At Youthfront a few weeks ago, I got to serve Communion to middle school boys. As incredible as they are, they hadn’t had this realization yet. They were much more excited for the taste of the bread and juice rather than the reverence and glory that comes with it.
This summer internship has given me a chance to help students grasp the meaning of the gospel, or at least a small piece of it. I hope this allows the Lord to work in their lives, and gives them the opportunity to see His love first hand.
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Scripture quotations are taken from The Common English Bible ©2011.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.
The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection
13720 Roe Avenue
Leawood, Kansas 66224, United States
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