The Reflection of the Cross – Communion with God
The cross has made it possible for all humanity to have communion with God. Whosoever, anybody young and old, from any background can enter into a relationship with God? Jesus has made this possible through the New Covenant.
At the last supper, during the Passover meal Jesus introduced the New Covenant.
“He (Jesus) took the 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.” Luke 22: 19. RSV Bible
Jesus gave thanks to God his Father for the unleavened bread.
This bread without leaven was eaten every year at this special meal of Passover. The bread had its significance it was baked without leaven the raising agent in the bread, in Judaism ‘leaven’ is often referred to as ‘sin’ therefore this bread represented purity, holiness, without sin.. Exodus 12: 15 Luke 12:1. Mark 8:15
Jesus breaking the bread spoke of his body that was broken by suffering.
Within a few hours Jesus’ perfect body of a man in excellent health was reduced to a physical wreck by what he suffered. Jesus was scourged and in that entangled mess of sinews, bones, muscle and blood, his body bore all our sins, illnesses and diseases. His body taking the sins of the world upon himself on the cross, all sin leads to death, but his death was not the end, God raised Jesus from the dead, and death could not hold him because Jesus’ own body had no sin. He identified his sinless life with the unleavened bread.
God used this bread to symbolise the sinless body of the Messiah, the redeemer from sin. Paul realised the connection between the unleavened bread and Jesus the Christ. (Greek – Christ. Hebrew – Messiah)
“Christ our Passover Lamb has been sacrificed. . . . . . “Let us therefore, celebrate the festival not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” 1 Corinthians 5: 7, 8.
At the Communion we celebrate Jesus bringing in the New Covenant. by a new and better way, through faith in Jesus the Messiah, the Saviour of the world and grace – undeserved giving from God.
“For God so loved the world that he gave us His Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God sent His Son not to condemn the world but that the world might be saved through Him.” John 3: 16, 17.
God accepts us through faith, just as we are when we come to him. We cannot get ourselves right with God before we turn to him in repentance.
Point of need – To come to God in faith believing that Jesus is our Saviour.
Prayer – Almighty God I come to you in faith believing that Jesus is my Saviour. I believe that you sent Jesus into the world, to save me from my feeling helpless unable to control my selfish desires, my contempt of falling into sin, by doing the things that I don’t want to do. I ask for my sins to be forgiven through my faith in what Jesus has done for me personally on the cross taking the penalty for my sin in dying for me and enabling me have communion with God. so that I shall be saved from eternal death and darkness, In Jesus name. Amen
Jeremiah prophesied a change to our nature in the New Covenant.
“I will put my law within them, and I will write it upon their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” Jeremiah 31: 33. RSV Bible
God the Father has changed the law from being written on stone, (2 tablets given to Moses on Sinai) to being written in our heart. Only God can change the way I think and the choices I make by changing my nature to be like His. I know that the law given to Moses by God has revealed the wrong I do, but through repentance and forgiveness, God has written his law into my nature, it has become part of me: the way I think, my intellect and how I respond to our family, friends, neighbours, work, environment and society. Exodus 31:18. Ezekiel 36:26, 27
Point of need – in the cross we are released from the old nature.
The song writer’s words; ‘No turning back, no turning back’ the devil will try to regain his place at the centre of our lives, but the cross has become a place of freedom, joy and hope, a place of healing the scars of past guilt and passivity. We can embrace the future with confidence in our new found faith in God, His faithfulness, his love, His generosity, His challenges, growing in faith through suffering and assurance of faith through what we experience in a real way.
Prayer
Dearest Lord, when you broke the bread and gave it to your disciples and from that time all who believe down the centuries receive the bread, the blessings of the benefits of your passion. I give thanks that your bread brings healing, thank you. I will to do the will of God, not the will of myself or the will of the devil, I will only to do your will. Take my life and let it be only for your service and glory. In Jesus precious name. Amen.
Knowing the ways of God through having a personal relationship with God.
34 And no longer shall each man teach his neighbour and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord.” Jeremiah 31: 34
God has poured out His grace on those who believe to bless us daily in all we do: in our families, at work and socially. In the Spirit praying in faith for the well-being of others, and for the good news about Jesus, his saving love on the cross, being shared with those who don’t know about him? In accordance with the gospel to stand up for justice and to help people where help is needed.
Communion with God
The Apostle Peter a man brought up under the strictness of the law only knew rules and regulations and failure to observe the law meant that he had to pay a penalty; an offering of a dove, lamb or grain etc
Through what the Holy Spirit revealed to him after Pentecost Peter in his letters he knew God had brought in the New Covenant by faith in Jesus, he experienced faith, love and grace working together.
Peter wrote in his second letter that we partake of God’s power, promises and nature.
“His divine power has granted to us, all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who has called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises . . . . and become partakers of the divine nature.” 2 Peter 1: 3, 4.RSV Bible
Jesus demonstrated the power of God in his speech: he spoke with authority on the scriptures, in his interpretation taught people how to respond to injury, debt, attitudes towards their enemies. Stewardship towards God and government. In his healing ministry, he broke the barriers of class and those stigmatised by disease. He made known the spiritual activity of the devil as he came to destroy the works of darkness.
In Christ we are empowered by God to speak out the gospel message that brings people to faith in Jesus and by grace for them to receive new life that leads to living Godly lives.
The promises of God are ours by right as brother’s and sisters in Christ. We take hold of them as we serve Jesus, having faith to believe that God will do what Jesus has promised. In 1992 the Lord gave me some of the promises to put on my pottery, ‘Drinking in the Word.’ Below are just a few promises taken from scripture?
“All things are possible to those who believe.” Mark 9: 23.
“Whatever, you ask in prayer believe that you have received it and it will be yours.” In Matthew’s account he ends with, ’If you have faith.’ Mark 11.24. Matthew 21: 22. “
Jesus said, “Have faith in God,” Truly, truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, be taken up and cast into the sea and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him.” Mark 11: 22-24
“Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11: 28
“For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.” Luke 12: 12
“Instead seek his kingdom and these things will be yours as well.” Luke 12: 31.
”If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you.” John 15: 7.
Point of need – In faith to take hold of the promises of God and expect God to respond.
Prayer Thank you Lord, for faith working together with your promises that will bless your church. Help us to discern when to step out in faith on a word of scripture and the promise that will encourage and bless others. In Jesus’ name.
The early church known as ‘The Way’
Jesus distributed among those sat at the table the unleavened bread representing his body. The giving of this bread makes it possible for all to receive from his loving nature, faithfulness and obedience and his brokenness, in his risen body the forgiveness of our sins, redeeming us from sin.
Jeremiah’s prophecy fulfilled in Jesus, “For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” Jeremiah 31: 34
Having been forgiven our sins when we accepted Jesus as our Saviour. As we work out our faith in practice. The Holy Spirit convicts us to know when we have grieved the Holy Spirit by our thoughts, spoken words and actions.
Peter continues in his second letter to instruct us on our walk following Jesus. He writes that we supplement our faith with virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly and sisterly affection with love.
These things will make us effective and fruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1: 5-8. RSV Bible
We have Jesus’ nature revealed in his fellowship with his disciples, “This is my commandment that you love one another as I have loved you.” John 15: 12. His spiritual integrity when in conversation with the Pharisees. ‘It is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” Matthew 12: 12. “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” Matthew 4: 4 RSV Bible
Point of need – To listen and learn what pleases God our Father.
Prayer. Help me Lord, to listen to the beat of your heart, and to be sensitive to know when I need to say sorry for the things I get wrong. Thank you for the restoring and renewing of my faith. For His names sake, Amen.
“Do this in remembrance of me.”
Eating and drinking is something we do all our natural lives so it fits in comfortably with us. The service of Communion we follow in the Church of England remembers the sequence of the events and conversations between Jesus and his disciples before and during the Passover meal where Jesus instructed his followers to participate together in sharing the bread and the wine in remembrance of his life laid down and in God raising him up from the dead. In this act of remembrance we are fellow heirs in the victory in the triumphant Jesus over the devil. At the same time to embrace the humility of Jesus in being prepared to do this act of reconciliation between humanity and God His Father.
Point of need – to remember and enter into all the benefits of His passion, that are new every day. Psalm 103: 1-5
Bless the Lord, O my soul;
and all that is within me, bless his holy name!
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits,
3 who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the Pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
5 who satisfies you with good as long as you live[a]
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s
Prayer – Heavenly Father, thank you for sending at great cost of love Jesus to be our Saviour. May I remember Jesus’ obedience in dying to his own interests on the cross, in order to defeat sin and its causes, and so help me to be prepared not to count the cost in my own life, but always be willing to do your will Lord. I know that I am loved and cherished by God my Father, He has blessed me with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places.” “I am a joint heir with Jesus Christ.” What belongs to Jesus belongs to me. “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived, what God has prepared for them that love Him.” In Jesus’ name. Amen
The New Covenant wine representing the blood of Jesus
Holding the cup of wine Jesus said, “For this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Matthew 26: 28.
The cross reflects the whole of Jesus the Lamb of God, the lamb’s body sacrificed and his blood being used by God brushed onto the door posts and lintels of our bodies, so that death and the devil and his demons have no dominion over us.
The blood is always available to us to continue to cleanse and purify us. 1 John 1: 7
“Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness for sin.” Lev 17: 11. Hebrews 9: 22
“For the life of every creature is in the blood of it.” Leviticus 17: 14.
Paralleled with our blood
In our blood red cells are very tiny, and every red cell travels in the blood to the lungs where it picks up oxygen. After picking up the oxygen a single red cell offloads the oxygen to a single tissue, the oxygen gives combustion and heat to the tissue. The red cell takes the waste away from the tissue and disposes it out of the body through the lungs, skin, bladder and bowel.
Like the red blood cell, the blood of Jesus has the power to spiritually cleanse us and remove our sin and the causes of sin. The oxygen carried by the red blood cell is like the Holy Spirit quickening our created spirit with the Holy Spirit acting on the words of Jesus. As a result we live and walk in the knowledge and love of God. John 6: 63.
This interaction between our created spirit and the Holy Spirit is like a when pregnant woman at around 3 months experiences the baby’s first movement in the womb.
We are individually members of the body of Christ separated by the ministry of the blood and joined by the movement of the blood between each member.
Point of need – to see through the eyes of God our creator.
Prayer – Almighty God and Father thank you for the understanding of what has taken place in my life as I have come to know you through my faith in Jesus. I have been cleansed with the blood of Jesus. I have been transformed in my mind, heart, will and soul, therefore I am crucified with Jesus, his sinless body bore my sin, infirmities and diseases on the cross and I have died to sin with Him. Just as God raised up Jesus from the dead, I know I have been raised up with Jesus, to sit with Christ in heavenly places, Jesus having united heaven and the earth. Thank you Jesus, Amen.
Realisation on the morning 18th December 2017 while out walking my daughter’s dog.
‘If I sin against my body, I sin against Jesus’ body,’ as a result I repented.
It also relates to being part of the body of the church.
Jesus forgave the man’s sin and healed him.
On one occasion Jesus was at home at Capernaum, and a lot of people had gathered to hear him preach the word to them. Four men carrying their friend on a pallet couldn’t get near to Jesus, so they removed the roof from above where Jesus stood below and lowered their friend down from the roof.
Mark writes, “And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “My son, your sins are forgiven.” Now some of the scribes who were sitting there questioning in their hearts, “Why does this man speak thus? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” , , , Jesus said to them, “Why do you question in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, “Your sins are forgiven’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your pallet and walk? But that you may know, that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins” he said to the paralytic – “I say to you, rise, take up your pallet and go home.” And he rose, and immediately took up his pallet and went out before them all; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying “We never saw anything like this!” Mark 2: 1-12.
The Jews believed that only God could forgive sin and that sickness was due to sin Jesus proved that he is God by forgiving the paralytic his sin and healing him. Psalm 38: 3. 107:17 Zephaniah 1 : 17. John 5:14. (‘The Messiah’s Secret’ Dorothy Newton)
The disciples confirmed what the Jews believed
On another occasion the disciples of Jesus asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, the man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “It was not that this man had sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be manifested in him.” John 9: 1-3 Ezekiel 18: 20
Therefore, not all sickness is due to a person’s sin.
The four friends
In the house at Capernaum the four men demonstrated their love for their friend and were determined to see him healed by Jesus.
The fellowships of believers today are equipped with the gifts of Jesus’ ministry.
Faith like that of the four friends that was determined to be acted upon by God has its’ place and faith too that seeks quietly for God to respond. There is only one requirement ‘faith’ and on some occasions God acts only on the faith of the person doing the praying. It helps if the Lord gives a word to stand on.
Last October my husband had a sore throat that got worse over three days. At the doctor’s surgery on the second visit, he was rushed into hospital and diagnosed having a quinsy, the bacteria from it were tracking down to his organs. He had an operation to remove the puss from the quinsy and a ventilator was put in place and he was sedated, an induced coma, and the fight to save his life began.
The family were called and were advised to expect he might die. I informed St Mary’s Prayer Chain of the situation and within a few days the septicaemia had tracked back. But the antibacterial drug that worked against the bacteria had yet to be found. A week after his entry into hospital the Lord gave me a word, “The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be still.” Exodus 14: 14.
I entered on the journey towards the Promised Land that the Jewish people had endured. After 3 weeks no drug had been found to work. The bacteria. was being drained out of his mouth and several places in his neck. It seemed like we had reached the Red Sea, going through it was the scariest place and yet it was a safe place surrounded by walls of water and behind us the pursuing Egyptians. At the end of week 4 ‘Micro fungi’ the antibacterial drug was found to work.
For 36 days he was on a ventilator and in a coma and all the way through the prayers of my fellow Christians: Hospital Chaplains, St Mary’s, Chatterton Hey, family and friends had brought about healing and had upheld me and our family. Every day I had prayed with my sleeping husband and others joined me occasionally. I knew the Lord would fulfil his promise and I believed my husband would recover. The staff at Royal Blackburn Critical Care B Unit were truly brilliant, their dedication and skill were fantastic.
It was a miracle; one year later my husband is fully recovered.
Thank you Lord, we give you all the glory.