Understanding the divine transaction

(This article is actually something I wrote a few years ago. We're going to share communion at the next Bible study and it kind of fits in with everything else we've been talking about over the last few months -- so here it is again)

"I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who conquers his enemies; for the hardest victory is the victory over self." —Aristotle

We took communion last Sunday. In every communion service I’ve ever been in, the pastor has always given that moment to the congregation to reflect. This one would not be any different. Normally, I examine my heart and ask God to examine me to see if there is any sin that I’ve tried to hide from Him. I repent of anything I find, and I am sure you all do as well.

I thought about the powerful symbolism of consuming the body of Christ. Eating is used symbolically in many bible passages (Gen 2:17, Rev 10:9). Generally, the symbolism indicates that what is eaten dies and it becomes a part of what has eaten it.

Then after he had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body, which is given for you. Eat this and remember me.’—I Corinthians 11:24.

The symbolism of communion holds pretty well to this metaphor. By consuming Christ, He becomes a part of us and we inherit all that was His. Salvation. Healing. Wisdom. Spiritual gifts. In fact, without it, Jesus said we had no part of Him (John 6:53-56).

After the meal, Jesus took a cup of wine in his hands and said, ‘This is my blood, and with it God makes his new agreement with you. Drink this and remember me—1 Corinthians 11:25.

This is a transaction weighted heavily in our favor. These things we gain, we could have never gained otherwise. Without partaking in His sacrifice for our sins, we are totally hopeless. As the scriptures were read, one passage seemed to stand out:

If you fail to understand that you are the body of the Lord, you will condemn yourselves by the way you eat and drink—I Corinthians 11:29.

It seemed backwards because if I’m consuming Christ, then this scripture should make some indication that Christ is now part of my body. But then my place in the transaction became clear.
Christ consumes us. We are to be His broken bread. This is what we are to seriously consider as we partake of communion. In saying that, let’s not limit communion to a liturgy, but in a living and real way that Christ communes with us every day.

The cost to us implied in this transaction becomes evident. I can see areas in my life where I’ve attempted to avoid cost to myself. I try to get out of this divine transaction without being eaten, all the while taking advantage of the wealth of grace afforded to all of us who've accepted Jesus as our Saviour and King. If I am to be a Christian, everything about me has to die for the benefit of Jesus. That includes areas in my life where I don’t think He fits. It means sacrificing convenience for obedience.

If Jesus can’t consume me, then something else has.