We begin the communion with a crust of unleavened bread, representing the crucified body of Jesus. “Unleavened” means made without yeast, which is a living organism. The bread has no life in it.
[Prayer to bless the bread]
The “fruit of the vine,” however, whether it’s grape juice or wine is very much alive. It also contains yeast–and if you doubt that the grape juice has yeast in it, try some that’s sat out for two or three days! It doesn’t take long to ferment.
The Law of Moses tells that the life is in the blood. And so, as the communion shifts from lifeless bread to living wine, we see part of the symbolism. The Lord’s Supper is about moving from death to life–remembering that through Jesus we died to our worldly, earthly selves in order to live anew as righteous, spiritual beings.
But although God sees us as sinless in his grace, we really aren’t, are we? We need this weekly reminder that we are supposed to be, that a truly awful price was paid to make our new lives possible, and that we live in Christ only because of his death.
As we take this holy drink, let’s us recommit ourselves to living as Jesus lived, to dying to the world and living anew in holiness.
[Prayer to bless the wine]
