Luke 22:19-20
Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.
Fewer verses in the history of the church have caused more division than these.
The argument resides mainly over whether Jesus meant it quite literally when he said of the bread, “This is my body.” Some argue that he did – that the bread, quite literally, is transformed into Christ’s body and is no longer bread so that each time we commune we are partaking of the very body of Christ.
Another set of believers, skeptical of such metaphysics, argues instead that he was speaking metaphorically, that the bread symbolizes Christ’s body and so each time we commune we remember Jesus’ love and sacrifice.
Yet one more set of Christians – my own tribe, actually – claim not a middle ground so much as another way of thinking about it altogether – and so rather than arguing whether mere bread can be transformed into Christ’s body, they suggest that when we commune we are eating bread – real bread – that also holds and bears the actual presence – the real presence – of Jesus, the one who was from the beginning part of all things.
On any given day I can make a case for the merits of my position and point out the shortcoming of the others, just as the proponents of the others can do the same with mine. But once in a while I do wonder how much it matters, whether all the bluster and fury and more (sometimes quite a bit awfully more) is worth it.
Or maybe that’s not quite right. It’s not that I don’t think these differences matter, but rather that we can get lost in the theological thicket of such distinctions and miss the other part of the sentence Jesus utters. For he doesn’t only say, “This is my body,” but he also goes on to insist, “which is given for you.”
For you. These two words, perhaps as much as any in the Bible, capture the thrust of the Gospel. Jesus came, ministered, lived, gave, suffered, died, and was raised again for you. All for you.
It’s not that all the other stuff doesn’t matter. It does. But perhaps, for now, this is enough. Jesus did this for you, for me, for all of us. Yes, I think that is enough.
Prayer: Dear God, remind us again and again of your great love for us – for all of us – that we might see in each other your beloved children and work for the unity of all. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Have always been perplexed as to what actually Lutherans believe regarding the bread and wine. I loved David’s comment that we get so caught up in the literal meaning, that we forget the last part of Jesus’ words, “given for you”. It is there I draw my strength and comfort from the communion table
This scripture has always been a point of confusion in many churches and even liked denominations. It is to the point that one would think it is a requirement for salvation. It is amazing to me that religion is quick to grab hold to whatever presents an event and less anxious to “become” what the event represents, such as the Lord’s Supper and baptism. Christianity is becoming so diluted and compromising that folks would rather stay clear and take their chances. Most churches have become like the Pharisees and are adding to the list for salvation. Less and less emphasis is being placed on denying oneself and going to the cross and what that actually means in the life of a believer or someone seeking Christ.