February 17, 2005

Pax

As I’ve mentioned before I’m way into studying the Jewish Feast Holidays and their meanings for Christians. The old prophecies and symbolism of the Old Testament make the whole Bible come together and mesh. Our school kids are doing reports for Easter and some are on the Passover meal. I can’t get over the beautiful symbolism that goes along with the seder meal, one being the Redemption cup and the Afikoman matzoh bread. During the Last Supper they were actually observing the Passover seder meal. Jesus took what we believe was the Afikoman, broke it and passed it around, saying “Take and eat; this is my body.” The 3 pieces of matzoh in the seder represent the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the Afikoman, the middle matzoh, represents the Son and is broken, wrapped in linen and hidden until one of the children present finds it and brings it back to the table. The symbolism being that Jesus was broken, wrapped in burial linens and found alive again. Cool, eh? Then Jesus took what we believe must have been the cup of redemption, the third cup in the seder meal, and passed it around and said “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” Of course, Jesus is our redemption and it is by His shed blood that He redeems us.

All this to say…..Communion has such a deeper meaning for me now that I know the background and I thought I’d share some thoughts on it. It is through Jesus’ sacrifice (the Lamb of God) that we have forgiveness of sin and therefore peace with God. And all He asks of us is that we believe He is who He said He is….and follow Him.

Peace
(A Communion Blessing From St. Joseph's Square)

Though we're strangers, still I love you
I love you more than your mask
And you know you have to trust this to be true
And I know that's much to ask
But lay down your fears, come and join this feast
He has called us here, you and me

And may peace rain down from Heaven
Like little pieces of the sky
Little keepers of the promise
Falling on these souls
This drought has dried
In His Blood and in His Body
In the Bread and in this Wine
Peace to you
Peace of Christ to you

And though I love you, still we're strangers
Prisoners in these lonely hearts
And though our blindness separates us
Still His light shines in the dark

And His outstretched arms are still strong enough to reach
Behind these prison bars to set us free

So may peace rain down from Heaven
Like little pieces of the sky
Little keepers of the promise
Falling on these souls the drought has dried
In His Blood and in His Body
In this Bread and in this Wine
Peace to you
Peace of Christ to you

And may peace rain down from Heaven
Like little pieces of the sky
Like those little keepers of the promise
Falling on these souls the draught has dried
In His Blood and in His Body
In the Bread and in this Wine
Peace to you
Peace of Christ to you
Peace to you
Peace of Christ to you

by Rich Mullins

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