Jesus established the act of remembrance we call communion when He associated His coming broken body and spilled blood with the bread and the wine that He offered to the disciples in the upper room (Matthew 26:26-28; Luke 22:19-20).  This symbolism is clear and easy for us to grasp.

Is this the only symbolic significance of communion?  I believe that in addition to the symbolism of the elements themselves, a deep, intimately personal meaning is revealed as the elements are consumed.

Many think that, although the Romans carried out the horrible act of the crucifixion, the Jews were ultimately responsible for Jesus’ death.  After all, they were the ones that cried out, “Crucify Him.”  But each time I celebrate communion, I am confronted with the sobering fact that the blame belongs to neither the Romans nor the Jews.  It lies squarely on me.  I killed Jesus!

As I crush the bread representing His body with my teeth, I cannot deny that I am the one responsible for His crushed and broken body, the penalty He paid for my sins.  Then, after eating the bread, the crumbs remaining in my mouth are a powerful reminder of how tainted I am by my glaring sin and guilt.

Fortunately, I need not remain at this sobering and desperate place as I am soon able to drink from the cup and wash away the crumbs.  I rejoice because, in like manner, Jesus’ shed blood washes away my sin and guilt and leaves me bathed in His righteousness.

Father, I pray that each time I celebrate communion, You will remind me as I crush the bread, that I killed Jesus when He took my place on the cross.  Thank You that, as the wine washes away the crumbs in my mouth, so His blood washes away my sin and guilt.  Thank You for the pictures You give so that we might understand and glorify You.

Questions:  Have you come to terms with the fact that you are one responsible for Jesus’ death on the cross?  If so, thank Him for His amazing grace that has given you eternal life and cleansed you from the stains of sin and guilt.

About the Author: Doug Emberley

All I needed was a loaf of bread, so I turned into one of those gas stations on steroids where you can buy most of the necessities of life. I looked up and down row after of row for a simple measly loaf of bread. Finally, in the back corner on a bottom shelf, I found a loaf or two. But, what amazed me was all the other food offerings.

There was row after row of all sorts of snacks containing high fats, carbs and sugar. I started looking at the nutrition disclosures on individual packages. Why, the calorie intake on some of those small packages was more than half of a recommended daily caloric diet. No wonder American’s have an obesity problem.

You are what you eat, and what you eat influences virtually everything in your life, from how much energy you have . . . to how well your brain works . . . to how long you live. If you want to have a great brain, you must consistently give it nutrient-rich foods. I know it sounds almost too easy, but it’s a scientific fact: Change your diet, and you change your life.

But, those same principles dealing with our nutritional food diet apply to our spiritual diet and effect our life just as much…..change your thoughts and change your life. Garbage in, garbage out, or so the saying goes. We tend to become what we think about al day long.

Paul gives us some worthy advice in Philippians 4:8: “And now, brothers, as I close this letter, let me say this one more thing: Fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely, and dwell on the fine, good things in others. Think about all you can praise God for and be glad about.”

Truth, goodness, righteousness, purity and loveliness… think about these things. Let them be the object of your careful attention and study, so as to practice them. Think what they are; think on the obligation to observe them; think on the influence which they would have on the world around you. Esteem them highly, recommend them heartily, and practice them fervently.

Lord, I don’t want to feed my soul on junk food. Help me to not only change my pattern of eating to get physically fit, but to also change your pattern of thinking to get spiritually fit. Help me today to think on the good things You have provided and have done in my life. I cast my thoughts on You, Jesus and my desire is to become more like You. Amen.

Questions: How differently would your life look if you got rid of your spiritual “junk food”?

About the Author John Grant

Daily audio podcast: A second daily devotional, Knowing God as Our Father, today on the Men’s Devotional Blog