Tags
1 Corinthians 10:16, 1 Corinthians 1:9, 2 Corinthians 13:13, Acts 2:42, Body of Christ, Communion, Community, Fellowship, Holy Communion, John 17:22, Koinonia, Lord's Supper, Philippians 1:5, Philippians 2:1, Philippians 3:10, Romans 15:26, Shared bread, The Community of Believers
Day 33
Thursday in the fifth week of Lent
1 Corinthians 10:16
The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a sharing in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a sharing in the body of Christ?
The word here translated ‘sharing’ is the Greek word ‘koinonia’. It is the word used in Acts 2:42 when Luke summarizes the first believers saying, “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” It’s the word in Romans 15, when Paul speaks of the collection he is gathering to support the believers in Judea during a famine, saying: “Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to share their resources with the poor among the saints at Jerusalem.” (literally to “do” or “make koinonia”).
The word is used at the beginning of Corinthians to speak of fellowship with Christ, and at the end of 2 Corinthians in the famous benediction: “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.”
It is used for sharing in the spirit and sharing in Christ’s sufferings. And sharing in the gospel.
A fellowship of resources; a mutual sharing because we are in community together. We are a koinonia, a fellowship, a community, a communion in the shared cup. We are a communion in the shared bread. We do not come to the altar alone. This is not about me and Jesus. This is about me and Christ and the body of believers throughout the world and across time.
We are joined in this Christ, joined in one body. We are joined in his suffering for the world. We are joined in his living presence. We are joined in his Spirit. We are joined in his love. We are joined in his mission to bring healing to the world.
Living Bread, Welcome Arms,
companion on the way and our eternal home,
gather all the earth to your table of love.
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Image: Carl S. Gutekunst, licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.
Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
© David K Bonde, 2021, All rights reserved