Boaz—Malaysia

THE COVENANT OF HOLY COMMUNION

In a covenant, two parties (or more) have an obligation to fulfill the clauses in the contract in exchange for the guarantee of the covenant. The root of the Hebrew word for "covenant"—bĕriyth (Gen 15:18)—has several meanings. Two of these are "to eat with" and "to slice or cut down." Therefore, when a covenant is made, the two parties may dine together. In the Bible, we see examples of these between two people—Isaac and Abimelech (Gen 26:30), Jacob and Laban (Gen 31:54)—and between man and God—the nobles of the children of Israel and the Lord (Ex 24:7–11), the disciples and Jesus (Mt 26:26–30). Additionally, covenants could be made by passing between an animal cut in two (Gen 15:10). This signifies that while the covenant is valid, each party has clear and distinct responsibilities; the party who breaks the covenant will receive the punishment due to him.

From this perspective, the Last Supper was essentially Jesus making a covenant with His disciples (or the people of the world), in which both parties hold clear responsibilities (Mt 26:28; Mk 14:24; Lk 22:20; 1 Cor 11:25). Since partaking of the Holy Communion is partaking of the Lord's feast and drinking His cup (1 Cor 10:18, 21), believers must take the Holy Communion in a worthy manner towards God, both in spirit and truth. In terms of spirit, believers ought to carry a respectful attitude; in terms of truth, they ought to discern that what they are receiving are Jesus' body and blood (1 Cor 11:27–29).

The Bible indicates that we should conduct this Holy Communion regularly, but not how often (1 Cor 11:26). Therefore, the church finds herself in a dilemma when trying to balance between the frequency of Holy Communion and the attitude of believers. As the saying goes, familiarity breeds contempt. Believers may take the Holy Communion for granted if it is conducted too frequently. Reducing the frequency would compel believers to treasure the opportunity to partake of the Holy Communion. That said, would such scarcity really increase the Holy Communion's value to believers, or would it take away the opportunity to remind them of its significance? A better way to correct the attitude of believers would be to educate them and build a good foundation of the right attitude with which to partake of the Holy Communion.

Partaking of the Flesh and Blood of Christ

            "For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed." (Jn 6:55)

If we were invited to a grand ball involving important dignitaries, we would plan and prepare our outfit, our transport, and how we would conduct ourselves several days before the occasion. During the Holy Communion, we partake of the flesh and blood of Christ. While our level of preparation does not directly affect the efficacy of the Holy Communion, it will determine the benefit we reap for our soul when we partake of it. Believers who esteem the Holy Communion feel moved and compelled by the love of the Lord to weep for their weaknesses and resolve to overcome them. Those who despise the Holy Communion may similarly partake of the flesh and blood, but the sacrament does not bring blessings to their souls; rather, it brings judgment and even death (1 Cor 11:29–30).

Some believers choose not to partake of the Holy Communion because, after self-examination, they feel afraid or unworthy because of their sinful thoughts or low faith. We may occasionally refrain because, in our momentary weakness, we are unprepared. But we should not always use the excuse of "not being prepared" as a reason to refrain. In the Old Testament, Israelites who intentionally declined to keep the Feast of the Passover were cut off by God and made to shoulder their own sins (Num 9:13). Therefore, it is the responsibility of every Christian always to be prepared to partake of the Lord's flesh and blood.

In the Old Testament, God instituted a second Passover, which would occur a month after the first, on the fourteenth day of the second month. This provision was made for those who had set their hearts on keeping the Passover but were prevented from doing so because they were unclean from touching a dead body or had been traveling (Num 9:6–11). During King Hezekiah's reign, the nation decided to keep this second Passover because the priests and the people had not readied themselves in time for the first. And in the second month, although the people of the northern kingdom who had come to participate had been unable to sanctify themselves according to the ceremonial laws, God forgave the entire congregation because they had prepared their hearts to seek God (2 Chr 30:2–3, 18–20).

These examples show that the Passover was precious in God's eyes, whether celebrated in the first or second month. Most importantly, the people of God also esteemed it and prepared their hearts to seek Him. Similarly, esteeming the Holy Communion is demonstrated by how we prepare our hearts: do we reflect on our behavior, repent, make resolutions, and cultivate gratitude? Making preparation is better than making no preparation at all. Making ample preparation is much better than making hasty preparation. Giving ourselves sufficient time allows us to do a thorough examination. From our first Holy Communion until today, have we lived according to our resolutions? Where have we fallen short of God's glory? When we seriously introspect, our resolutions will be more definite and our thanksgiving more sincere.

THE SPIRITUAL EFFECTS OF HOLY COMMUNION

1. United with Christ

            "He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him." (Jn 5:56)

When we partake of the Holy Communion, our lives are joined to Jesus. How should we who are united with the Lord Jesus manifest the life of the Lord?

Be preserved in the church

The church being united with Christ is akin to the great mystery of the union between husband and wife (Eph 5:31–32). This union was established when the church (the bride of Christ) was redeemed by the blood flowing from Christ's side, just as Eve was created from Adam's rib. In the salvation process, the church fulfills the bride's role by gathering all good believers who have prepared themselves to receive the coming of Jesus. Believers must preserve themselves in the church because there is no salvation outside the church (Mt 16:19; 18:18; Jn 20:22–23). Although each believer is individually saved, he must not leave the church, which is the whole; we are united with Christ through the church.

Bear fruit diligently

Individually, being united with Christ is akin to the relationship between the branch and its vine (Jn 15:4–8). When a believer is baptized and abides in Christ, he is like a branch grafted onto the vine (Rom 11:17). Two aspects of being a branch are pertinent—sustenance and productivity. First, if a person constantly abides in the Lord, the word of God abides in him (Jn 15:7). God's word is like rain that falls from heaven (Isa 55:10-12; Deut 32:2). The vine absorbs water from the soil through its roots and transports it to the branches via its stem. Similarly, when we are joined to the vine, we receive rich and constant spiritual nourishment from God's word. Second, the person who always abides in the Lord ought to bear much fruit (Jn 15:5).The fruit that we bear—our good deeds and virtues, including the fruit of the Holy Spirit—will glorify God (Jn 15:8). Believers must diligently bear fruit. The heavenly Father will cut off any branches that do not (Jn 15:1–2). This was Jesus' warning to every branch in Him. Therefore, let us not make light of, or be complacent in, our pursuit of faith. The Israelites in the past also boasted of their status as Abraham's descendants, but they were broken off because of their unbelief (Rom 11:20–21). The heavenly Father will prune the branch that diligently bears fruit (Jn 15:2). Although pruning—the refinement of our faith through the fiery furnace—is a process of affliction, this branch will receive even more nutrients, and thus bear even more fruit.

Maintain our union in holiness and honor

Since believers have been united with Christ, the apostles instructed the Gentile believers to abstain from certain acts in order to maintain the sanctity of this union. They were to refrain from eating food offered to idols, blood, and strangled animals, as well as from sexual immorality (Act 15:29). To do any of these would be to form an alternative, ungodly union—defiling their original union with Christ and provoking the Lord to fiery jealousy (Deut 4:24). Partaking of food offered to idols is partaking of the table of demons, which means entering a covenant with demons (1 Cor 10:21). Eating blood, or meat that contains blood, means forming a union with the animal, since its life is in the blood (Lev 17:10–11). And finally, committing fornication with someone means being joined, as one body, with that person (1 Cor 6:15–18). Therefore, when we are joined with the Lord in spiritual unity, we must guard our bodies in holiness and honor (1 Thess 4:4). We must never allow our bodies—members of Christ (1 Cor 6:15)—to be joined with demons, animals, or anyone apart from our spouse.

2. Gain Eternal Life, Resurrect on the Last Day

            Then Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day." (Jn 6:53–54)

Jesus Christ is the bread of life and the hidden manna (Jn 6:48; Rev 2:17). He urged the people of the world not to labor for food that perishes, but, instead, for the food that endures to everlasting life. Even the manna that came down from heaven would turn bad if it were kept overnight. Only the manna kept in the golden urn lasted for generations (Ex 16:33). This refers to Christ, the hidden manna that was revealed in the last times (1 Pet 1:20). Only Christ is the true bread from heaven. He is the hidden manna of which man may eat and not die (Jn 6:50), unlike the manna in the wilderness that could not prevent the death of those who ate it.

Throughout history, there have been many legends of explorers seeking a mythical fountain of youth, and alchemists working to discover the elusive formula to the elixir of life, both of which were believed to promise eternal youth. Today, we have been granted the bread of life not because we are more capable or have invested more than the individuals in these stories of obsessive pursuit. Neither do we need to "work the works of God"—seeking justification and reward through practicing the law—as the Jews thought (Jn 6:28–29). On the contrary, we have freely received the bread of life because we believed in Jesus. This is entirely out of God's grace, not because of the works we do (Rom 4:4–5). Furthermore, we did not have to traverse mountains or voyage across endless oceans to seek the bread of life. Rather, the heavenly Father drew us to Him (Jn 6:44).

Today, where can the world find this hidden manna? In the wilderness, God's people did not collect manna in Egypt or any other part of the world. The only place manna could be found was around the camp of God's people (Ex 16:13, 15–17). Similarly, only when one comes to the true church can he find this "hidden manna"—for his soul to be satisfied and never thirst again.

When we hold the precious bread of life in our hands during each Holy Communion service, do we reflect anew on our call and election by the Lord? Are we laboring for the food that perishes or the food that endures to everlasting life? Are we utterly convinced this ordinary-looking hidden manna can give us everlasting life? Or do we hanker after the delicacies of Egypt to satisfy our never-ending desires?

In fact, our daily labors will reveal what is in our hearts. The destination of our lives is not reached in a single big step or achieved by a big decision. It is attained by accumulating every step we take every day of our lives. We do not hope for any extraordinary achievements in this short life. Instead, we hope that every little step we take in every ordinary day of our life is a step towards eternity until we reach our destination—everlasting life. Then, we can truly say that the promise of resurrection on the last day belongs to us.

CONCLUSION

The Holy Communion has all the spiritual efficacies of unity with Christ, eternal life, and resurrection on the last day. Besides these, this sacrament is also a trumpet sound in our faith, reminding us of what Jesus said: "Remember Me." When Jesus instituted the Holy Communion, He said this twice to emphasize that we who have partaken of His body and blood must never forget the price the Lord has paid. Each time the body and blood of the Lord are before us, do we feel the heavy price Jesus paid? Can we see Jesus' pain, sacrifice, and love?

In the inevitable aging process, we cannot stop even the most precious memories from fading. May Jesus' name be the one we hold in our memory to the last.